Taghazout Surf Expo Talks
Open Dialogue • Accessible Science • Coastal Futures
Open Dialogue • Accessible Science • Coastal Futures
Formerly the "Scientific Workshops", the Taghazout Surf Expo Talks are opening their doors wide. No need to be a researcher or an expert: these gatherings are made for everyone, curious minds and professionals alike.
The idea is simple: start from real questions about surf, tourism and territories, and talk them through together. Everyone comes with what they want to bring, a desire to learn, field experience to share, a viewpoint to defend. You'll hear researchers and young innovators present their work, but above all you'll exchange, debate and co-build ideas, among scientists, professionals, institutions and local residents.
Artificial wave pools are multiplying all over the world. More accessible, safer and usable year-round, they promise to democratise surf… but they also raise many questions: water and energy consumption, the growing artificiality of leisure, the impact on coastal destinations and the evolution of surf culture. The sector is growing fast, with many projects under development worldwide despite the controversies.
Drawing on international examples, this talk invites the audience to debate: will tomorrow's surf be practised more in pools than in the sea? Are surf parks an opportunity to make the sport more accessible, or do they risk profoundly transforming our relationship with the ocean and coastal territories?
A participatory exchange to reflect together on the future of surf, between technological innovation, environmental challenges and the identity of territories.
How can we meet the water needs of coastal territories while preserving ecosystems and the quality of life of local populations? This talk will bring together technological perspectives and the human sciences to shed light on tomorrow's choices.
Denis Terwagne will explore alternatives to conventional desalination, through low-impact, resilient technologies and fresh-water production systems adapted to local constraints.
John Van Den Plas will address the social, cultural and political dimensions of water management. In connection with the transformations of tourism and surf territories, he will question uses, attachments to places and the trade-offs between residents' needs, tourism development and resource preservation.
The discussions will open up a collective reflection on solutions suited to territories, particularly in arid zones, and on the conditions for their implementation.
Surf, spots, restaurants, accommodation, activities, events, local stakeholders: Taghazout Go brings the key elements of the local experience together in a single app, designed as a digital companion for visitors.
Powered by artificial intelligence, the app offers personalised recommendations and itineraries based on each visitor's profile: budget, interests, surf level and available time.
This talk will retrace the design of Taghazout Go, from identifying the need to developing the prototype, and show how digital tools and AI can enrich the tourist experience while increasing the visibility of local stakeholders. A demonstration of the prototype will be followed by a discussion with the audience.