Saad Abid
on Ecological Surfing and Beach Clean-ups
"When you find something that brings fulfilment - something money cannot buy - you need to hold it close!"
Inspired by days spent with his father at the beach, Saad fell in love with surfing. The thrill of riding waves filled him with both joy and adrenaline. The surfboard became his perfect teacher, helping him develop adaptability and resilience, with each wave offering an irresistible challenge.
Life took Saad Abid around the globe, but it was in his native Morocco where he found that genuine fulfilment. He is a dedicated surfing champion, environmental advocate, entrepreneur, and speaker who proudly represents his country internationally, including at COPs, promoting sustainability and community empowerment. An avid sports enthusiast, Saad has taken on incredible challenges, such as the MARATHON DES SABLES, one of the world's toughest endurance races, and spearheaded the Maymkench2026 project to support Morocco's bid for the 2026 World Cup.
A tragic event in his community, when a child lost their life after stepping on hidden waste, has been the little spark that lit his inner fire. No longer content to remain a spectator, Saad invented a tool capable of detecting and removing microplastics and other debris from the sand. His innovative ocean conservation invention, "The Chbika," designed to effectively manage the micro-waste that threatens marine ecosystems, has earned prestigious recognition: "It's crucial to lead by example and take action. We cannot expect change or improvement if we remain passive spectators. You can't sit on the sidelines and wait for others to score the winning goal for you. You have to be part of the game."
Driven by "citizen diplomacy," Saad actively opposes hyper-individualism, urging us to focus on improving the lives of others, not just our own: "It's not just about 'Me, Myself, and I.' We need to shift towards How can I make life better for others?"
This is the main reason why he founded Association Bahri, an NGO dedicated to raising environmental awareness through beach clean-ups and ecological initiatives, inspiring thousands of volunteers in Morocco and beyond. He also pioneered Morocco's first electric bike waste collector and organized the country's largest beach cleanup, engaging over 5K participants in a single day: “It matters less what you do, as long as you believe in your work and find meaning in doing something for your community or your country. Coastal protection and educating future generations on environmental conservation are my priorities!”
Read Saad Abid's answers for Inspirators to witness his relentless drive!
Thank you, Saad, for being an Eco-Surf Champion!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Saad Abid
Company / Institution: Association Bahri
Title: Founder and President
Website: www.associationbahri.org
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saadabidofficiel/
Country of origin: Morocco
Country you currently live in: Morocco
Your definition of Regeneration: Immortality.
Main business challenge you face: Saving money.
Main driver that keeps you going: The desire to innovate and do something other people didn’t do!
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: Authenticity.
The trait you most value in others: Trust and reliability.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Surfing, traveling and my son.
The Inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
King Hassan 2
Nelson Mandela
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
A starting point for companies or professionals that are beginning the regeneration journey: Start with passion! Without passion, you will not be ready to endure sacrifices!
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you:
Being asked "Why do you travel by plane if you are an activist?" - as if people involved in sustainability are obliged to live without producing any gas emissions. It’s all about compensation and having a low or negative carbon footprint.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: Do something that you have always wanted to do, something your gut always told you to do, but you never dared to because of your parents, your family, your friends, the society you live in - and anyone who told you not to do it.
Books that had a great impact on you / Must-Reads for any regenerative professional:
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
I have read them many times!
Movies / Documentaries you would watch all over again: Finding Joe, Point Break, The Signs.
Websites / Podcasts you visit frequently: Google!
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: Classical and emotional music.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Indonesia, Mexico, Palestine.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow:
Nicolas Hulot
Irene Grosjean
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: Regenerative Food because we are what we eat and the resources are limited while our population grows.
Events we should attend / Best places for networking (online or offline): Global Shapers.
Impactful and relevant Sustainable Development or Regeneration courses or certifications: Climate reality by Al Gore.
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: Morocco will finally co-organize the Fifa World Cup after 6 failed attempts 😊. Major car companies will stop producing thermic cars and I hope that the hydrogen will take over for boats, planes and more. It will be a more productive and cleaner energy than the electric batteries.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: More and more plastic!
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Vision, endurance, stubbornness and passion.
The Inspirator(s) you are endorsing for a future edition:
Boyan Slat
The quote that inspires you:
"Choice, not chance, determines your destiny." (Aristotle)
"Determination will take you places motivation can’t."
"Be the change you want to see in this world!" (Ghandi)
Your quote that will inspire us:
