Long overshadowed by Morocco’s iconic Anchor Point, the coastal town of Safi has harbored a secret for decades — a world-class right-hand wave known to a select few and now brought to light through a new documentary film.
Le Jardin: The Secret Story of Morocco’s Most Incredible Wave, the latest entry in Now Now Media’s Origin Series, explores the untold history of this near-mythical surf break. Directed by veteran filmmakers Alan van Gysen and Will Bendix, the documentary chronicles the wave’s discovery, guarded past, and emergence as a global surf destination.
Situated between Casablanca and Agadir, Safi has long been known as an industrial port town, famed more for its sardine industry than for its surf. That began to change in the early 1980s when Louic Soutif, a Casablanca-based surfer, relocated to Safi for work and stumbled upon the wave by chance.
“When he arrived at work one morning, he looked across the bay and could hardly believe what he saw,” the filmmakers note. “He told his friends, but they found it hard to believe… so he surfed it alone for two years.”
What Soutif found would later earn a reputation as one of the world’s finest right-hand breaks. Locally known as Ras Lafaa — or “The Head of the Snake” — the wave is renowned for its perfection and power, though it breaks only under rare, optimal conditions. In recent years, improved forecasting and word-of-mouth have drawn larger crowds, but for a long time, it remained a well-kept secret.
To protect its anonymity, early surfers gave the wave a code name: Le Jardin (The Garden). The nickname originated from a comment by a friend’s girlfriend, who admired the sweeping ocean view from a rented house on a hill overlooking the break.
The wave’s legend grew slowly, and eventually, the local crew invited renowned Australian big-wave surfer Ross Clarke-Jones to push the limits of what could be done there. Clarke-Jones vividly recalls his first morning in Safi.
“We showed up in the dark and slept in a little tent right there on the cliff,” he says in the film. “In the morning, I woke up and saw the best right-hander I’ve ever seen in my life. Better than J-Bay. Better than Kirra. Better than everything.”
His performance at Safi in 1994 helped define the wave’s potential and attracted further attention from the global surfing community.
Le Jardin joins Now Now Media’s acclaimed Origin Series, which also includes Place of Thorns: The Story of Puerto Escondido, Chasing the Unicorn: A Mozambican Surf Story, and Mirage: The Ever-Changing Story of Skeleton Bay. The series blends surf history with modern storytelling and cinematography.
Director Alan van Gysen emphasizes the importance of local collaboration in their work. “We always work with local DPs, filmers, and talent. You can only understand a place like Safi through people who’ve lived there, surfed there, and seen it evolve,” van Gysen explains. “In Morocco, that person was Amine Nader — a filmmaker and community member who brought depth and authenticity to the story.”
This community-driven approach culminates in local premieres that recognize contributors and strengthen the bond between surfing and culture. “When we premiere in places like Safi or Puerto, the whole community shows up,” van Gysen adds. “It’s their wave, their history, and their time to shine.”
With its blend of archival footage, modern cinematography, and storytelling, Le Jardin offers a compelling narrative for both surf enthusiasts and general audiences. The film is now available on Now Now Media’s official YouTube channel.
A U.S. premiere is reportedly in development, with details expected soon.