News
Taylor Knox wins Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy
Maldives.net.mv – Iconic Californian surfer Taylor Knox (USA), 42, defeated three time world champion Tom Curren (USA), 49, to win the Grand Final of the 2013 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy and the USD10000 first-place prize.
After an amazing week of competition from the six world surfing champions, it all came down to final thirty seconds, with Knox locking in a late 9.17 score to claim victory in the pristine 1.5 metre (4-5ft) reef break waves of Sultans Point.
The hotly contested final, saw four excellent rides posted by the two Californians. Knox opened strongly for an early lead with a 9.27. Curren answered back at the half way mark with a heat high 9.43 to be looking down the barrel at victory.
But patience paid off for Knox, who required a 9-point ride and used his priority wisely to pick off a 9.17 in the final minute to claim the win. Knox finished with a heat total of 18.40 to Curren’s 18.33 (out of a possible 20).
“I got a couple at the start and was thinking I’m in a good position here, but as I’m paddling back out, there’s Tom sitting in the barrel,” said Knox.
“I had to use my priority because I knew he had taken the lead. I held myself back and waited it out for that set wave right at the end.”
Knox, who retired as the oldest and one of the most respected surfers on the ASP world tour last year, at age 41, said he achieved today what he had failed to do at the elite level.
“I could never do it on the world tour, I had to come to the Maldives and learn off these guys and as Kelly Slater said ‘I’m one of the best surfers but not a good competitor’ but that’s changing now,” he added.
A super cool Curren remained unfazed under pressure, despite his opponent’s seem ably insurmountable early lead the mythical surfer/musician found the events only barrel in the final to bounce back. However it wasn’t enough to halt Knox in his inaugural Maldivian campaign and Curren finished runner-up for the second consecutive year.
“I’m really stoked to have made the final,“ said Curren. “The waves came today and the weather was nice but I had a bad start to the heat. I was able to come back with a good score and at least the final was a close finish so I can’t complain.”
“Taylor was in-form today and yesterday as well. He has been surfing strong and with a lot of power. In these condition especially he is really hard to beat,” added Curren.
Knox qualified for the Grand Final by winning both Saturday’s twin-fin and the thruster division today. Curren secured his finals berth with a win in the single-fin and a runner-up placing in the twin-fin division.
After an unusually stormy week in the Maldives, Sultan’s Point turned on for the final day with light offshore winds, sunny skies and steady surf pumping down the reef. The day kicked off with the Thruster Division. With state-of-the-art, contemporary three-fin boards being utilized the action was fast and full-on as the distinguished field of surfers relished being back on their more conventional, up-to-date equipment.
Touted as the toughest field ever assembled for the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, competition has been extremely intense. The three-fin division set new levels with Damien Hardman (Aus), Pedro Henrique (BRZ), Layne Beachley (Aus), Tom Carroll (Aus) and Curren all surfing with winning intentions.
But nobody took more advantage of the thruster than Knox, who carved his way to victory in the Thruster Final with extremely committed power surfing to defeat former two-time world champion Hardman (Aus) 19:00 to 14.37 (out of a possible 20).
“We got lucky with the waves, I knew it was going to turn on and it did,” said Knox.
Knox locked in the tournament’s first-ever perfect 10-point ride and tallied the event’s highest heat score.
“It was a win-win for both of us, that set had two really good waves,” said Knox.
“I would have taken the first one if Damien hadn’t, but the second one was amazing and it held up into the lagoon and I was able to smash it all the way.”
Hardman acknowledged that the Knox’s performance raised the bar of the entire contest.
“It was good to make the final, but I ran out of puff in the end up against Taylor,” said Hardman. “He was surfing probably the best has been all event and its pretty hard to raise the bar when someone is getting nines and tens but I did my best but got beaten by a better man on the day.”
Hardman who is still involved at the elite level of surfing in his role as Contest Director for Rip Curl said that the competitive element is always a factor.
“It’s weird, on the surface it’s not that serious, but there is an undercurrent that it is serious,” said Hardman. “You feel like you are always looking over your shoulder and everyone has their guard up. We aren’t hassling each other like we used to do back in the ‘90s but everyone definitely wants to win.”
Hardman and Curren battled it out in a back and forth semifinal until the tenacious Australian goofy-footer locked in a 6.5 ride in the waning seconds of the heat. Curren was left needing a seven-point point ride, but as the ocean went flat he never had the opportunity to answer back.
“It was a tight one, Tom’s one of the best competitors in the in the history of the sport,” said Hardman. “I’m stoked to be able to hang on and come away with a win.”
On the other side of the draw, in the second semifinal Knox racked up a 9.07 wave score to edge out an energetic Henrique to join Hardman in the thruster final berth and secure an all-important Grand Final Champions berth.
Seven-time world champion and lone female competitor, Beachley, narrowly missed out on a semi-final berth, defeated by Hardman on the buzzer in their round one heat.
Two-time world champion Carroll (Aus) also looked set for a semifinal berth until the last 30 seconds of his opening heat when Henrique snatched second place from the celebrated storm surfer.
With the Four Seasons’ luxury catamaran, The Explorer, serving as the floating headquarters, surfers and spectators alike enjoyed the action, cold drinks and great food from the deck.
The event format showcases the evolution of the surfboard with the old school ‘70s single-fin in Round 1, Round 2 celebrates the brilliance of the twin-fin that dominated in the early ‘80s, and coming up in Round 3 we’ll see the state-of-the-art three-fin thrusters put to use. The two surfers with most accrued points at the end of the three rounds qualify for the Grand Champions Final.
Overall 2013 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy Final Standings
1st Taylor Knox (USA)
2nd Tom Curren (USA)
3rd Damien Hardman (AUS)
4th Pedro Henrique (BRZ)
5th Tom Carroll (Aus)
6th Layne Beachley (Aus)
The festive season has unfolded across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ Maldives properties with a series of Christmas celebrations that brought together guests, island communities and resort teams, setting the tone for a vibrant transition into the New Year. Across all four resorts, the season has been marked by shared moments, seasonal traditions and relaxed island celebrations, with attention now turning to New Year’s Eve experiences planned to welcome 2026.
Christmas at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives was celebrated with a consistent yet thoughtfully curated programme across the islands. Festivities included traditional carol singing, festive dinners, Santa’s arrival, beach barbecues and a range of children’s activities, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere for families, couples and groups spending the holidays in the Maldives.
The celebrations reflected the resorts’ approach to festive programming, blending familiar seasonal traditions with the natural rhythm of island life. Guests were invited to experience Christmas in an unhurried setting, with beachfront gatherings, open-air dining and activities designed to encourage togetherness while embracing the surrounding ocean landscapes.
As the festive period continues, the focus now shifts to upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations, which will be marked across all four resorts with gala dinners, beach parties, live DJs and bands, fireworks displays and countdown celebrations by the shore. Each resort will ring in the New Year against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean, offering guests a celebratory yet relaxed setting to mark the transition into the year ahead.
The New Year’s Eve programmes are designed to complement the Christmas festivities, extending the seasonal experience while allowing each resort to reflect its own character from lively beachfront gatherings to more laid-back island celebrations, all centred around open-air venues and shared moments under the night sky.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives gears up to welcome guests celebrating the magic of Orthodox Christmas on 7 January 2026 in true island style – surrounded by turquoise lagoons, swaying palms, and warm Maldivian hospitality. The week-long celebrations kick off on New Year’s Eve and form part of Kandooma’s enchanting Festive Programme, making it the perfect winter-sun escape for couples, families, and friends.
Festivities commence on New Year’s Eve, 31 December, with pre-dinner cocktails at the resort’s iconic Sunset Bar, followed by a festive Global Countdown Dinner at Kandooma Café, set poolside beneath the stars. Guests welcome the first morning of 2026 with an extensive breakfast buffet, before easing into the day – whether relaxing in a hammock beneath gently swaying palms or joining Kandooma’s much-loved afternoon football match on the island’s west beach. As the sun sets, the Surf Beach comes alive with a bonfire lighting at 5.30pm, drinks from the Surf Shack, and DJ beats to kick off the evening, followed by a Scandinavian-inspired dinner buffet at Kandooma Café.
Throughout the festive week, Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala invites families to reconnect with a specially curated Family Wellness Package (US$240++). Parents can indulge in a 60-minute COMO Shambhala or Deep Tissue massage while two younger guests (under 13) enjoy pampering mini mani-pedis – an experience designed to soothe, relax, and bring families together.
Beyond the spa, guests can immerse themselves in everything that makes Kandooma a favourite for those seeking adventure, including guided snorkelling safaris, sunset dolphin cruises, world-class diving with the resort’s award-winning PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, paddleboarding and kayaking, sunrise yoga and beach fitness classes, island-style cooking and cocktail-making sessions, and private sandbank picnics or romantic beachside dining experiences.
The celebratory atmosphere continues across the island with a series of drink promotions, from pitchers of cocktails on the main beach at BAR-Aveli Beach Bar, to sparkling gin creations at the Sunset Bar, and Vodka parties on the white sands – each venue offering its own festive rhythm and vibe.
Orthodox Christmas Eve on 6 January begins with a golden-hour celebration and a 2-for-1 Aperol Sundowners offer at the Sunset Bar, the perfect way to toast the evening as pastel skies melt into the horizon. The night continues with an indulgent six-course wine dinner at The Asian Kitchen.
On Orthodox Christmas Day, 7 January, guests can start the morning with a lavish buffet breakfast at Kandooma Café or elevate the experience with a dreamy Floating Breakfast served in the resort pool. Younger guests are treated to festive cupcake decorating at Kandoo Kids’ Club, while families and thrill-seekers can enjoy an afternoon Banana Boat or Fun Tube ride, always a highlight for kids and adults alike.
As evening falls, The Asian Kitchen transforms into a beachfront celebration with a “Seafood & Grill” dinner, showcasing premium cuts, fresh-from-the-ocean seafood, an array of salads, starters, and decadent desserts. The celebrations continue at BAR-Aveli Beach Bar, where a DJ-led beach party keeps the festive spirit alive beside the resort’s main pool, complemented by a special Buy 2, Get 1 Free bubbly offer.
Whether travellers are seeking rest, adventure, or the simple joy of barefoot freedom, Kandooma offers the perfect blend of relaxation, celebration, and island discovery to welcome 2026 and celebrate Orthodox Christmas in style.
Guests can book their winter-sun escape directly with the resort by emailing reservations.hikandooma@ihg.com or visiting the resort’s website. The full Festive Brochure is available to view here.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites guests to welcome the Year of the Horse with an inspired four-day Lunar New Year celebration from 15 to 18 February 2026, blending time-honoured Lunar traditions with the effortless luxury of island living. Celebrated for the fifth consecutive year, the festivities reflect the resort’s philosophy of Time & Space Redefined, creating meaningful moments for families, couples, and multigenerational travellers alike.
Set against the turquoise expanse of the Indian Ocean, Kuda Villingili offers a refined sanctuary for the festive season, anchored by its collection of expansive Beach and Water Villas with private pools. Elevated above the lagoon, the Water Villas provide uninterrupted ocean views and complete privacy—an idyllic setting to usher in a year symbolising strength, freedom, and vitality.
The culinary journey takes centre stage throughout the celebrations. Guests are invited to indulge in an array of dining experiences across the island, including East, the resort’s signature Asian restaurant, where bold flavours and contemporary interpretations honour the richness of Asian cuisine. Lunar festivities continue with Wansuk Hot Pot, designed for convivial sharing, and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi, where live culinary theatrics transform dining into an engaging family experience. The highlight of the programme is the Lunar New Year Gala Dinner at The Hawkers, complemented by sunset cocktails and vibrant cultural performances inspired by Chinese heritage.
Beyond gastronomy, the island comes alive with festive entertainment and immersive activities. Traditional lion and dragon dances, cultural performances, and live shows create a celebratory rhythm across the resort, while Kuda Fiyo Kids Club offers a thoughtfully curated schedule of crafts, games, movie nights, and themed activities—ensuring younger guests experience the magic of the Lunar New Year in playful and meaningful ways.
Guests may also choose to enrich their stay with Kuda Villingili’s diverse island experiences—from floating breakfasts in private villa pools and bespoke destination dining under the stars, to wellness rituals including spa therapies, yoga, fitness sessions, and private sound healing. For those seeking adventure, excursions across the north Male’ Atoll, sunset dhoni cruises, and adrenaline-filled watersports and diving experiences with MSTS offer unforgettable ways to explore the surrounding natural beauty.
As Kuda Villingili ushers in the Lunar New Year, the celebration becomes more than a festive occasion—it is a shared journey of reconnection, indulgence, and renewal, thoughtfully designed to honour tradition while embracing modern luxury.
To view the Lunar New Year Programme, please click here. For more information about Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, please visit www.kudavillingili.com.
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