The 2026 season has officially kicked off! The competitive spirit reignited at **Ain Diab** in Casablanca, where some of the finest European surfing talents have returned to battle it out at the **Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca**. If anyone anticipated a calm return to competition, the opening heats quickly dispelled that notion, showcasing an intensity that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Erica Maximo's Spectacular Performance
Highlighting the second day of the event was none other than **Erica Maximo**. The Portuguese surfer, who is competing in her final year as a junior, arrived in Morocco with no intentions of merely participating. In challenging waves that required bold moves, she made an impressive entrance by scoring an **8.00** right off the bat. She further solidified her dominance by achieving a total of **15.00 points**, the highest score of the day, leaving her competitors in awe with her powerful backside maneuvers, as she rides goofy-footed.
French Talents and a Clash of Favorites
On the French side, young **Rose Calvez** demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure. Despite the tricky conditions brought on by low tide, she successfully advanced to the quarter-finals. The men’s category featured an exhilarating showdown between Italian surfer **Pietro Garroux** and British prodigy **Lukas Skinner**. Both competitors pushed each other to the limits, but it was Garroux who edged ahead by a narrow margin. Additionally, keep an eye on the rising star **Marley Benesenes Masse**. At just 14 years old, the French surfer posted the highest male score of **14.30**, proving that the 'Next Gen' is unafraid to take risks and shine on such a prominent stage.
However, the local audience experienced a wave of anxiety as most of the Moroccan contingent faced elimination. All hopes now rest on **Maria Elouedrhiri**, the sole representative from Morocco still in contention for the quarter-finals.
As reported by icones-surf.fr.
The next exciting round is scheduled for Friday, May 8th at 14:00 (GMT+1), where the male competitors will continue their pursuit of glory.
