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Maldives to Host its First Watermen Event

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Maldives Promotion House – Spread across the Indian Ocean with its low lying islands, Maldives has always given a great importance to global warming and climate change. Maldives has also hosted many awareness programs and has taken many steps to protect its beautiful islands.

In its fight against the destruction of the environment, Six Senses Resort & Spa has planned to hold the annual Six Senses Watermen event in Maldives, for the first time. The gathering that will begin on September 30th and last until October 4th, this year, will bring in water sports icons such as legendary surfers, windsurfers, kite surfers, divers, free divers and the world’s leading water conservationists.

The event will be hosted in Six Senses Laamu and guests will be offered instruction sessions by the Watermen. According to Six Senses, renowned musicians will also participate offering live music on the sand banks of the tropical resort. Conservationists will lead riveting dialogues and debates about the most sensitive water issues, and guests will be given the opportunity to participate.

Six Senses Watermen event offers an innovative and meaningful opportunity to experience water activities among living legends while also helping Maldives in its efforts to protect these gems of the Indian Ocean.

The event will be held in the latest addition to the Six Senses resorts in Maldives, Six Senses Laamu. Six Senses Laamu is the only resort in the remote Laamu Atoll of Maldives. While the list of participants continue to increase, some of the major gatherers include the following.

Pascal Bronnimann (SUI, +H2O long time pro wind surfer and Diamond Head Pro-Am winner)
Levi Siver (USA, +H2O windsurf wave riding champion and surfer)
Jake Miller (USA, +H2O windsurf wave riding and freestyle rider)
Keith Teboul (MAD, +H2O long time pro wind surfer)
Herbie Fletcher (USA, Longboard surfing legend and artist)
Chris Garrett (AUS, Gold Coast eco-surfer)
Archie Kalepa (USA, Legendary watermen, Hawaiian lifeguard captain)
Buzzy Kerbox (USA, World Cup surf winner, co-inventor of tow-in surfing with Laird Hamilton and longtime face of Ralph Lauren Polo Sport)
Kai Lenny (USA, Maui born 17 year old stand up paddling world champion and Naish protégé)
Takuji Masuda (JPN, Kamakura born longboarder and surf documentarian)
Bob McTavish (AUS, Australian surfer, storyteller and short board inventor)
Tripoli Patterson (USA, surf champion and New York gallerist)
Terry Sims (USA, 25 year surf pro and one of the finest surf coaches in the world)
Davey Blair (USA, Naish Team kite surfer)
Alex Caizergues (FRA, Kite surf speed world champion)
Sean and Jesse Richmann (USA, Kite surfing champion brothers)
Mark Shinn (GBR, 2 times Kite surfing World champion)
Duncan Zuur (NED, one of Europe’s most successful kite surfer and wake boarder)
Bernd Breymann (GER, Catamaran world champion)
Sara Campbell (GBR, Free diving world champion)
Fabien Cousteau (FRA, Third generation French ocean explorer, aquatic filmmaker and Founder of Plant A Fish)
Dr. Jacqueline Chan (USA, Co-founder of Water Charity)
Carl Gustaf Lundin (SUI, Director, Global Marine Programme, International Union for the Conservation of Nature)
Dr. Callum Roberts (GBR, Marine conversation biologist and oceanographer)
Jane Seymour (GBR, Actress and environmentalist)
Averill Strasser (USA, Founder of WaterCharity)
Charles Clover (GBR, Author, The End of the Line, documentary about overfishing)
Prahlad Kakkar (IND, Indian filmmaker, diver and Reef Watch Marine Conservation co-founder)
Shekhar Kapur (IND, Golden Globe winning Indian filmmaker of the forthcoming Paani exploring Mumbai’s shrinking water supply)
Jim Thebault (USA, Documentary filmmaker of Running Dry and hydro-philanthropist)
Christo Edwards (AUS, Margaret River winemaker and surfer)
Mick Scott (AUS, Australian winemaker and waterman)
Jason Mraz (USA. International chart topping singer and surfer)

Other diverse and stimulating events that will keep the guests occupied include a marine restoration project with Fabien Cousteau, Chagos Islands marine conservation update by Blue Marine Foundation, beach cleanups, and a painting workshop engaging the local community.

From sundown onwards, environmental documentaries such as Running Dry and The End of the Line will be shown. Blue Marine Foundation, Plant A Fish, Water Charity and the Six Senses Carbon Offset Programme will be granted the proceeds from the event as donations.

Note: Six Senses Laamu has ninety seven luxurious villas sat back on the beach, nestled among the lush indigenous vegetation, and over the clear turquoise lagoon, offering complete privacy along with Six Senses signature creature comforts. Moreover a fine cuisine of ethically sourced gourmet food with a collection of biodynamic wines from Australia’s Margaret River will be served.

Six Senses Laamu, Maldives: Laamu Atoll, Maldives (+960 680 0800; www.sixsenses.com).

Six Senses Watermen Package: For four nights USD6,000 for doubles and USD4,400 for singles. For seven nights USD9,900 for doubles and USD7,400 for singles. Breakfasts and dinners, Barefoot Gala Dinner, a limited number of spa treatments and seaplane return and transfer flights included.

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Six Senses Laamu celebrates anniversary of Sea Hub of environmental learning in Laamu

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Six Senses Laamu commemorates the one-year anniversary of its Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL), highlighting the resort’s steadfast dedication to marine conservation and environmental education.

In March 2023, Six Senses Laamu unveiled the SHELL on its sunset beach, marking a pivotal milestone in the journey toward fostering environmental awareness and education. The 2,336 square-foot (217 square-metre) immersive exhibition space invites resort guests, hosts, and Maldivian residents to explore and learn about the colorful and vibrant local marine life. Investing further in marine conservation, the SHELL houses a working marine laboratory run by the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI), a collaborative endeavour featuring marine biologists from Six Senses Laamu, working hand in hand with three partnering NGOs: Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and Olive Ridley Project. Currently, the research team comprises over ten marine biologists.

Collaborative Research Efforts Yield Remarkable Results

The SHELL has expanded MUI’s research capabilities, with notable projects including coral larval restoration and sea turtle DNA analysis. Ten thousand baby corals from over five different species are currently grown at the SHELL. Over 12 million coral larvae have already been released onto the resort’s house reef. The turtle genetics project involves taking genetic samples from deceased hatchlings and continues to contribute to a better understanding of the Maldivian sea turtle population.

In addition to these projects, the MUI team has conducted numerous research initiatives, such as the identification and registration of over 1,000 turtles and more than 140 manta rays in Laamu Atoll. These research projects contribute to a wider understanding of Laamu’s marine life and environment, resulting in the publication of a peer-reviewed scientific paper on marine megafauna and blue carbon analysis of seagrass and mangrove habitats.

Community Engagement and Recognition

Throughout the past year, the SHELL has welcomed 24 distinguished visitors, including renowned naturalist and BBC presenter Steve Backshall. Engagements with university professors, researchers, and even astronauts during Karman Week, have led to valuable partnerships and research collaborations.

Beyond research, the SHELL serves as a space for exploration and education. Six Senses Laamu has welcomed over 300 community members to the SHELL over the past year. A key initiative, the “Hello Hallu” program, was designed to inspire and motivate students to actively participate in preserving their local ecosystems. The program achieved widespread impact by reaching every school across Laamu Atoll, engaging 237 students in total. Together, with the MUI team, students explored the habitats of Laamu, including mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs, as well as sustainable fishing practices and megafauna.

The SHELL was honoured with the Aspire Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award in 2023, recognising the groundbreaking sustainability efforts by Six Senses Laamu and showcasing the resort’s commitment to marine conservation.

“The SHELL is an incredible achievement from our efforts in research, education and community engagement,” says Lawrence Menz, Six Senses Laamu’s Director of Sustainability and Conservation. “It began as a dream over 5 years ago and marks several milestones in Laamu Atoll’s marine conservation. Since its opening, we were able to welcome over 6,000 guests and members of the local community in the SHELL. The greatest reward for us is hearing local students expressing their newfound inspiration for their island home, stating that visiting the SHELL has encouraged them to share the importance of conservation with their parents, family, and friends.”

Six Senses Laamu’s General Manager, Marteyne van Well, commented, “The SHELL serves as a testament to our unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship, providing a dynamic platform to inspire, educate, and contribute to the ongoing conservation efforts in the Maldives.”

Van Well has also recently been recognised in Forbes magazine as one of ‘4 Women Creating Ways To Protect The Ocean,’.

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Diving Dreams Take the Plunge: New PADI Five Star Academy Opens in Maldives

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Maldives’ first and only PADI Five Star Career Development Center, the Maldivian Academy of Diving, has officially opened its doors in K. Himmafushi. This new academy signifies a major step forward for professional dive training in the Maldives.

The Academy is dedicated to providing top-tier, professional-level dive training programs that meet the most rigorous standards set by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). They recently concluded their inaugural PADI Instructor Development Course on March 3rd, and their next PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Course is scheduled for July 29th to August 13th, 2024.

Leading the Academy is Adam Ashraf, a PADI Platinum Course Director for both 2022 and 2023. For the past decade, Ashraf has been running Dive Desk, a highly successful dive center in Malé. In fact, Dive Desk was the most successful PADI professional development center in the Maldives in 2023, earning the prestigious PADI EMEA Platinum Professional Development Excellence Award. This award recognizes the center’s exceptional performance in training new dive professionals, with Dive Desk being the only Maldivian center and one of only ten in the entire Europe, Middle-East & Africa (EMEA) region to receive this recognition.

Platinum status for both the Course Director and the Dive Center is not given lightly. It’s awarded based on a strict criteria of the number of professional-level certifications issued by PADI. Adding to Dive Desk’s accolades, they were also awarded the PADI Outstanding Contribution to People and Humanity Award last month for their dedication to fostering opportunities for Maldivians in the diving industry.

Despite a decade of success and consistently running the top PADI professional development programs in the Maldives for the past seven years, Dive Desk faced challenges. Limited space at their facility and the high cost of accommodation for students staying in Malé for extended periods were significant hurdles.

The Maldivian Academy of Diving was established specifically to address these issues. Located in Himmafushi, the Academy offers a more spacious learning environment and affordable accommodation options for students, all within close proximity to the capital city. The Academy will soon be offering on-site dorm rooms as well.

The Academy caters to all levels of diving experience, from those just beginning their underwater journey to seasoned divers seeking to become instructors. They offer a comprehensive range of courses and certifications to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to achieve their diving goals.

The opening of the Maldivian Academy of Diving represents a significant milestone in Adam Ashraf’s ongoing mission to empower Maldivian youth to pursue careers in the diving industry.

For more information dive into www.divedesk.mv

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Jawakara Islands Maldives Partners with LUX Tennis for Unforgettable Tennis and Padel Getaways

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Jawakara Maldives announces a new partnership with LUX Tennis, a premier tennis management company. This collaboration elevates the resort’s offerings, providing guests with an exclusive tennis and padel program in a stunning beachfront setting.

Unparalleled Island Retreat

Jawakara Maldives is a haven of luxury, seamlessly blending traditional Maldivian warmth with modern amenities. Pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush greenery create the perfect backdrop for relaxation and adventure. Guests can choose from exquisite overwater villas and beachfront accommodations, all designed for ultimate comfort and privacy.

A Paradise for All Preferences

Spanning two interconnected islands, Jawakara offers a diverse range of accommodations catering to every taste. Culinary delights await at the resort’s eclectic restaurants, featuring Teppanyaki, Asian, Mediterranean, and international buffets. From indulgent spa treatments to thrilling water sports and exploration of the vibrant underwater world, the resort caters to all interests.

Elevated Tennis and Padel Experience

The collaboration with LUX Tennis introduces a unique program designed to improve guests’ tennis and padel skills. Boasting a tennis court and three padel courts (two covered), Jawakara ensures uninterrupted play. Personalized coaching, structured practice sessions, and exciting events cater to individuals of all ages and skill levels. Whether guests prefer one-on-one coaching, group sessions with experienced professionals, or tournaments, LUX Tennis offers a range of options.

Expert Guidance for All Levels

Leading the program is Afonso Matias, a distinguished LUX Tennis professional with over a decade of experience. Afonso’s dedication and expertise have earned him recognition as a certified coach by the Portuguese Tennis Federation. He currently holds the esteemed position of Tennis Director at Jawakara Islands Maldives.

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