Male’, Maldives, 24th August 2022 – The world’s most luxurious surfing event – the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy – returns for its 10th edition after a two-year hiatus frustrated by COVID-19. The incredible lineup of “Momentum Generation” legends features Kelly Slater (USA), Taylor Knox (USA), Rob Machado (USA), Shane Dorian (HAW), and Ross Williams (USA) as well as the multiple Maldives Surfing Champion Hussain ‘Iboo’ Areef (MDV).
The event is set to take place over the course of the week from 24th August to 29th August. It is organised by Four Seasons in collaboration with Tropicsurf, the pros behind the resort’s surf services. Four Seasons Kuda Huraa welcomes all to witness a spectacular all-star lineup compete in a battle of the boards across the contest’s unique single, double and triple fin event format to take the coveted Surfing Champions Trophy title.
Four Seasons kick-off the Surfing Champions Trophy in style. The Opening Ceremony was held yesterday, 23rd August 2022, at 7:00pm. Didier Jardin, General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa started off the ceremony with a warm welcoming speech. “This is the tenth anniversary of this incredible event that celebrates the destination as a true surfers’ paradise with its warm pristine beauty and consistent year-round swells. This event has always been a unique showcase of skills and camaraderie. So we are very privileged to have an all-star lineup.”
Additionally, The Honourable Dr. Mausoom, Minister of Tourism in the Maldives as well as other government officials such as Ms. Aishath Ali, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, and Mr Mohamed Azmeel and Mr Ahmed Fuaad, Deputy Ministers of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment where also present at the Opening Ceremony.
In his speech, Minister Mausoom reminisced his memories of surfing and celebrated the Maldives marking ten long, brilliant years of surfing, remarking surfing has become a major market in the Maldives. The Minister thanked Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa for hosting the special 10th edition of the event – which has not only brought 11-time World Surfing Champion, Kelly Slater, to the Maldives for the first time, but has united five seminal members of the legendary “Momentum Generation”: the now-iconic surfers that pushed the limits of possibility back in the ‘90s, and progressed the sport forever.
Last but not least, Ross Phillips, the Founder and CEO of Tropicsurf, and also the contest director for this year’s championship, delivered a speech paying homage to the sport of surfing and how far it has come, and the “Momentum Crew”, who ignited a new era and laid the foundation for the best performance surfing.
The contest has kicked off today at the reeling right-hand point break of Sultans with the first of the three disciplines: the single- fin. These surfers’ combined skills will be a spectacle to watch. The resort hopes everyone will enjoy the show and atmosphere aboard the viewing vessel, the Four Seasons Explorer, and catch all the amazing action. With a solid forecast of swell and a truly epic roster of athletes, stay tuned for more updates.
