The business, which opened in 2014, is a symbol of a sport that attracts growing interest but is still one where the equipment is only accessible to the richer echelons of society.

The West Factory workshop in Abidjan produces around 50 to 60 boards a year that sell for between 350,000 and 500,000 CFA francs ($555-$790). That's five to seven times the average minimum salary.

Some elements are imported from South Africa, like the resin, foam and fiberglass.

Amateur surfers train on donated secondhand boards.

Of the 46 participants in the Africa Surf Tour in Assinie, only five are able to make a living from their passion — South Africa's Paul Sampson, the winner, and four Senegalese surfers.

One of the latter, Cherif Fall, who now lives in California, said his ambition was "to qualify for the Olympics".

"If you're a champion in Senegal or Cote d'Ivoire, you need to get some travel under your belt to gain experience because there's competition out there," he said.

AFP