Maldives Surfing Competition Draws Top Talent

From August 27 to September 2, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa  will host one of the world’s most unique surfing competitions. The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy—now in its second year—showcases six former world champions each gunning for the top spot and the USD 25,000 prize. Contestants will ride on a variety of boards that range from contemporary triple-fin thrusters to retro single-fins.

“There’s nowhere else that pits surfing icons against each other on the boards that shaped the sport,” says Australian powerhouse Mark “Occy” Occhilupo, who had a clean-sweep victory last year during the inaugural event. “Plus, it should be compulsory to make surfing competitions five-star!”

Joining Occy in the surf will be Brazil’s Phil Rajzman; three-time world surfing champion Tom Curren, who hails from the United States; the U.K.’s Martin “Pottz” Potter; and two more stellar surfing legends.  “I’m not surprised about the buzz surrounding this year’s competition,” admits Occy as he prepares to defend his title.

Hosted aboard the luxury Four Seasons Explorer, this contest is being billed as “the world’s most luxurious surfing event”—and with good reason. Not only is the Explorer the Maldives’ most exquisite surfing vessel, but all the competitors, judges and spectators will be staying at Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa, a 96-bungalow private island resort.

Book the all-inclusive four- or seven-night Champions Trophy 2012 package to join in on the fun as the camaraderie on the water spills onto the beach each night around campfires, cocktails, dinner and dancing. “It’s an intimacy that you don’t usually experience—as a competitor or a spectator,” explains Event Coordinator and General Manager Mark Winson of Tropicsurf, the luxury surf pioneers behind the event. “It’s one of the things everyone is most looking forward to this year.”