The Glide House (Essaouira, Morocco)

Located just outside Essaouira, The Glide House offers a peaceful escape close to the airport, the ocean, and the energy of the city.

15 min from the surf spot.

The region is best known for its wind, which makes it a favourite for kitesurfing and other wind sports. Surfing has its place too, with conditions that change with the season, the swell, and the wind. That variety is useful for learning: beginners can discover ocean sports with experienced instructors, while more experienced riders can explore different spots along the coast and keep developing.

The house sits just outside the city, which means a quieter setting with the beach, the medina, and the airport still within easy reach.

We keep things small, with a maximum of 10 guests, so it feels more like staying at a friend’s house than joining a big camp. Come for the waves, the wind, and the coaching. Stay for the good people and everything in between.

More than a place to stay

The Glide House was born from a love of the ocean, the freedom of riding waves, and the people we meet along the way. Based in Essaouira, Morocco, we bring together surf, kitesurf, yoga, and slow living in a place where you can learn, progress, and feel at home. We believe every session is an opportunity to discover something new, build confidence, and enjoy the journey. Come for the waves, stay for the good vibes, and leave with memories that last.

• Small by design: We keep groups small on purpose. More attention in the water. Better energy in the house. It's the whole point.
• Feels like a friend's house: Not a hotel. Not a hostel. A house where the door is always open, the coffee is always on, and you can actually put your guard down.

The Glide House is for people who want the ocean to be part of their journey. You might be trying surfing for the first time, working towards independence in kitesurfing, or looking for a retreat that combines movement, nature, and time away from daily responsibilities. If you're travelling solo, it's an easy place to meet people without feeling obliged to join in on everything.

You don't need to be an expert. Curiosity, a willingness to learn, and an interest in the ocean are enough to start.

Run by ocean people: We're not innkeepers who happened to open a surf house. We're surfers and kiters who built the place we always wanted to find.

Accommodation options include dorms, private rooms with shared bathrooms, and private en suite rooms.

• Shared room: A relaxed, social space for travellers who enjoy meeting new people and sharing the experience. Choose between a 4-bed or 6-bed shared room.
• Private Rooms: A little more privacy when you want your own space. We offer two private rooms: one with its own shower and toilet, and another with access to a shared bathroom.

WiFi, bed linen, shower towels. A house where you put your guard down, not a hotel, not a hostel.

Homemade breakfast every morning. Dinner together most evenings, good food, no pretension.

Around the table: Good food, shared meals, and conversations that last longer than expected. Because some of the best moments happen outside the water.

Real surf & kite coaching, not just rental. Structured sessions, video analysis, and coaches who actually care about your progression, not just getting you in the water.

Build understanding, not just skills. Clear, structured coaching for real progress.

Progress in surfing and kitesurfing goes beyond time on the water. It comes from understanding the conditions, knowing your equipment, developing the right technique and learning how to make better decisions independently.

Our method combines theory, in water coaching, video feedback, practice and recovery into one balanced approach. Each element has a purpose: theory helps you understand, coaching guides you, video reveals what you might miss, practice builds consistency, and recovery gives you space to absorb and improve.

Every session is adapted to your level, helping you connect the dots, build confidence and turn what you learn into lasting progress.

The glide theory: Our method combines Surf & Kitesurf technique, ocean awareness, video feedback & personal correction, with yoga and recovery to support your progress, on and off the water.

• Meet you where you are: We assess where you are and build from there, whether you’ve never paddled out or you’re already reading waves.
• See yourself progress: Photo and video analysis so you can see what’s happening from the outside, and keep growing long after you leave.
• Progression: We teach the why behind every movement, so what you learn in the water becomes instinct, not a checklist.
• Paddle technique: Chest lifted, legs together, fingers relaxed, elbows high, core engaged, and smooth, powerful strokes.
• Feel over perfect: Intuition, enjoyment, presence. We’re here to make you feel at home in the ocean and go beyond what you thought you could do.
• Small groups, real attention: Before you arrive, we send a short survey to group you by level, so every session is tailored, never one-size-fits-all.

The Surf Path – Five lessons that take you from your first pop-up to your first turns.

• Surf Fundamentals: Standing up, foot position, balance
• Paddling: Paddling technique
• Take-Off: Catching your first waves
• Wave Knowledge: Reading waves, positioning
• Manoeuvres: Bottom turn, cutback

The Kite Path – A clear five-step path, from your first kite flight to riding upwind.

• Kite Fundamentals: Equipment, wind window, safety systems
• Kite Control: Flying techniques, power control, relaunch
• Body Dragging: Upwind body drag, board recovery, self-rescue
• Waterstart: Board positioning, kite power, first rides
• Riding and Upwind: Balance, speed control, riding upwind

We welcome surfers at every stage, from total beginners who have never set foot on a board to advanced surfers pushing performance. Before you arrive, you need to fill up the questions form Level to place you precisely so that every coaching session is matched to exactly where you are, not where we assume you are.

All coaching sessions are in English, French & Spanish. Our coaches are fluent, clear communicators trained to explain technique in simple, practical terms that work perfectly to understand.

Lessons are not included for the first day of your arrival and the last day. All the activities will start the day after your arrival.

Surfboard or kite kit included. No need to rent, no need to bring, we've got you covered.

We can provide the equipment you need as part of the surf packages & Kitesurf packages. This includes surfboards and wetsuits.

Yoga classes: 2 or 3 classes depending on the pack. Movement, breathing, and recovery that actually make sense for surfers.

Yoga as foundation: Mobility, breath, body awareness. Not an add-on, preparation for the water, and a practice in its own right.

Surfskate training: Take your surfing progression out of the water with surfskate training: Practise turns & generating speed.

Kitesurf camps include surf lessons if there is no wind.

Spend your days chasing waves and wind, explore the medina, or slow things down back at the house.