Some 17 countries are taking part in these two world events, with a prize money of 40,000 euros, including Australia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Canada, Switzerland, Cape Verde, Germany, Spain, France, Great Britain, Guadeloupe, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United States and Morocco, according to the Lagon Dakhla Association for the Development of Sport and Cultural Activities.

The countries will be represented by 70 athletes selected from among the best kitesurfers and wingfoilers, the same source added in a press release.

Airton Cozzolino, James Carew, Matchu Lopes, Sebastian Ribeiro, Pedro Matos and Gabriel Benetton, as well as Moroccan champions Ali Bekkali and Maji Mounim, will be competing in the kitesurfing category (men), while Capucine Delannoy and Camille Losserand are among the most prominent international participants in the kitesurfing category (women).

In the Wingfoil category (men), Malo Guenole, Cash Berzolla, Wesley Brito and Hugo Marin are among the top competitors, as are Nia Suardiaz, Elena Moreno and Bowien Van der Linden in the ladies' category.

These two competitions will be accompanied by two initiatives, namely a national championship bringing together some twenty Moroccan competitors, vying for wildcards to take part in the world competition, as well as a village to raise awareness and preserve oceans, under the slogan “Protect what you love, save the ocean”. 

The village will involve young people from the region, including students and pupils from local schools. It will host educational workshops, local initiatives and interactive and educational activities to address issues related to the protection and preservation of the marine environment.

The aim of these events is to maintain Dakhla's position as a global kitesurfing reference capable of staging high-level events, as well as a place committed to preserving the environment, through participation in the “Protect what you love, save the ocean” campaign.

This major sporting competition is one of several events organized by the Association Lagon Dakhla to showcase the natural, sporting, tourist and human potential of Dakhla and region.