Riding the waves

"We have great waves and a lovely coast. We've got everything we need for the sport to take off," he said.

Sidibe said he knows he will need to travel abroad to advance his skill.

He nonetheless lauded the merits of Assinie, where the waves break close to the sea's edge, encouraging surfers to develop their technique.

There are still obstacles though, in Cote d'Ivoire as well as in neighboring Ghana and Liberia.

Making a living

"It's very hard to get visas for competitions in Europe or elsewhere because we don't have sponsors," said 29-year-old Guy Constantin Bouillaud from Cote d'Ivoire as he emerged from the water.

Carlos Watson, a 21-year-old Liberian waiting his turn nearby, nodded in agreement.

"My goal for this African tour is to put Liberia on the map," he said, " (even if) it's really difficult for a Liberian to be part of an international surfer league, to be a champion."

Everyone in Liberia, one of Africa's poorest countries, has to be "a self-supporter", he said.

The cost of the equipment is another hurdle.

In Cote d'Ivoire, The West Factory is the only company that manufactures surfboards.