News
Taylor Knox beats Tom Curren to win twin fin division

Maldives.net.mv – In an all-American final Taylor Knox, 42, defeated Tom Curren, 49, to claim the Twin Fin Division of the Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy at the third annual invitational at Sultan’s Point today.
With speed and maneuverability the hallmark of twin-fin performance, the iconic lineup of competitors maximized the testing but fun one-metre (3ft) point waves with Damien Hardman (Aus), Tom Carroll (Aus), Layne Beachley (Aus) and Pedro Henrique (BRZ) also in top competitive mode.
Ultimately the all-important inside connection proved key for big scores and heat wins in the strong offshore conditions. Something Knox and Curren had wired from the outset today, as they laid down timeless rail-to-rail surfing with smooth transitions between high-powered maneuvers as the competitive savvy between the master and protégé was on display.
“That was an emotional contest for me because I was surfing with all my hero’s,” said Knox. “It was just really cool today, everyone I came up against was just surfing so well.”
The first half of the final was a seesawing affair before Knox locked in a heat-high 8.03 score midway, to take the lead and never be headed. As the tide filled in conditions became inconsistent, leaving three-time world champion Curren requiring an 8.17 score on the siren. “I was really nervous at the end thinking the Tom Curren magic was going to strike me down but the ocean actually cooperated with me,” said Knox.
Last year the Californian retired from ASP World Tour after 22 years of circling the globe as one of the worlds most respected surfers and headed into the Maldives in vacation mode before getting swept up by his highly competitive rivals. “The guys are a little bit more into it than what I expected. I thought it was going to be a groovy, little fun event but they care. They really care,” laughed Knox.
“They woke me up after the first division, I went ‘Oh this is serious here’. But at the end of the day you get to go back to the Four Seasons and live in the lap of luxury so you really can’t get mad at any point,” he added.
Curren’s earlier win in the Single Fin division along with today’s runner-up result all but guarantee’s him a berth in tomorrow’s Grand Champions Final. “Taylor surfed really good, he deserved the win,” said Curren.
“I thought I had a pretty good chance, but I made a couple of mistakes. I fell on my first wave and could have made more of the final section on my last wave because no more sets came after that one. I am super happy to have been in the final and I’m going to get my board waxed up for tomorrow and hope for the best,” he added.
Curren was competing on an old board of Dane Reynolds that was originally built as a twinzer (two big main fins and two smaller fins), but the craftsmen at the Channel Islands factory knocked the fins out and rebuilt it as a standard twin-fin. In the warm-up session Curren looked downright deadly — flowing, flying, connecting sections and blasting big turns.
However today belonged to an inform Knox, who will be hoping to secure what is sure to be the hotly contested, second berth in the Grand Champions Final tomorrow. The three fin Thruster Division will prove the decider and kick start the last day of the 2013 Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy.
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.
The semi-finals saw Curren eliminate defending champion Hardman with a disciplined performance. Knox left former two-time world champion Carroll on the back foot in the second semi.
Lone female star Beachley suffered an opening round loss and was literally blown off her first wave due to the strong offshore winds, while fellow Australian Hardman and Carroll advanced through the three-person heat. “They were really challenging conditions out there,” said Beachley. “I’m disappointed, but I’m building a house, at least I caught a wave this time. Never underestimate the competitive spirit of these guys, they don’t want to lose, especially to a girl. It doesn’t matter how many world titles you have.”
Tournament young gun Pedro Henrique, 31, (BRZ/PRT) also bowed out in the opening round, out surfed by Knox and Curren in one of the events most explosive heats. Tomorrow the contest will end with the thruster division and the grand champions final.
Twin Fin Division Final
1st Taylor Knox (USA) 15.20 def. 2nd Tom Curren (USA) 13:43
Awards
Sirru Fen Fushi secures top spots in Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025

Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has been honoured in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, securing top rankings in two highly sought-after categories:
- #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives
- #4 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives
These accolades underscore the resort’s unwavering commitment to providing immersive, meaningful, and luxurious experiences for guests of all ages.
Celebrated for its expansive villas tailored with families in mind, Sirru Fen Fushi offers serene sanctuaries in beach, jungle, and overwater settings. Accommodations include the unique Safari Tented Villas, Sirru Residences, and spacious two- and three-bedroom villas, along with deluxe family lodgings—each offering privacy, ample space, and direct access to either the lagoon or beach.
Beyond its thoughtfully designed accommodations, the resort presents a range of family-friendly experiences. Guests can enjoy an interactive Kids’ Club, curated cultural and nature-based activities, hands-on art and sustainability workshops, and unforgettable marine adventures such as turtle discovery, snorkelling safaris, guided dolphin cruises, and stargazing. Each offering is crafted to inspire connection, learning, and joy across generations.
Ranked as the #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi features an awe-inspiring 200-meter infinity pool that spans from the island’s eastern to western shores, symbolically linking sunrise to sunset. Framed by soft white sands and boundless ocean views, the pool has become an iconic centerpiece of the resort—captivating photographers, influencers, and leisure seekers from around the world.
Nestled on a pristine, untouched island, Sirru Fen Fushi seamlessly blends the quintessential Maldivian experience with sustainability, artistic expression, and cultural immersion. With this latest recognition, the resort continues to set new standards for modern luxury through meaningful travel and exceptional hospitality.
Awards
Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific awards Villa Nautica Best Resort Pool in Maldives

Villa Nautica’s signature infinity pool has been awarded the title of Best Resort Pool in the Maldives by readers of the Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific Luxury Awards 2025. More than just an architectural feature, the pool serves as the heart of the resort—a tranquil expanse of water that seamlessly mirrors the sea beyond and transforms swimming into a meditative experience. Here, thoughtful design blends effortlessly with the natural environment, creating a space where the boundaries between land, water, and sky dissolve into serenity.
Located in the North Malé Atoll, only a short speedboat ride from the capital, Villa Nautica’s 1,350-square-meter pool is both a focal point and a design statement. It does not clamor for attention but draws it gently, extending confidently toward the horizon and creating the illusion of merging with the open ocean—while still offering the comfort and stability of land.
What distinguishes this pool is not merely its size or the flawless infinity illusion, but the way it quietly becomes part of the guest’s daily rhythm. Sun loungers are thoughtfully spaced and positioned, offering just the right amount of shade and always seeming to face the light at its most flattering angle. From morning sunbathing to lazy midday naps and sunset refreshments, the space is designed for lingering.
Adjacent to the pool is Press & Pot, a favoured spot among guests who enjoy pairing their swim with an artisanal coffee. The scent of freshly brewed espresso mingles with the sea breeze and the subtle aroma of sunscreen. Here, pastries come warm from the oven, tropical fruits are sliced to order, and coffee is served to a standard that rivals any urban café—with the added luxury of an uninterrupted ocean view.
Villa Nautica’s approach is not one of ostentation but of elegance. Its luxury lies in the details: the coolness of the stone underfoot, the soft rustle of palm leaves, and the way the water reflects the sky like glass as dusk approaches. It is an environment where nature and design exist in perfect, understated harmony.
This is what set Villa Nautica apart and earned it top honors. Among a competitive field of exceptional Maldivian resorts, the Travel + Leisure panel identified a timeless quality here. This is not simply a pool to swim in—it is one to experience. A space that encourages guests to pause, disconnect, and simply be.
Featured
Global recognition for InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort at 2025 T+L Luxury Awards

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has been named the #1 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives and secured the #7 position in the Best Resorts in the Maldives category at the T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, held on 19 June at Capella Bangkok.
Organised by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau, the T+L Luxury Awards celebrate excellence in luxury travel across the Asia-Pacific region. Voted on by readers, these prestigious awards honour outstanding hotels, resorts, and destinations throughout the region.
This recognition underscores the resort’s dedication to providing enriching, multi-generational experiences through carefully curated family-friendly offerings. Highlights include the Planet Trekkers Kids Club, Teen Escapades, and Family Beach Pool Villas, along with educational programmes such as the Junior Marine Biologist experience in collaboration with the Manta Trust. These features reflect the resort’s unique approach to combining luxury with meaningful and age-inclusive activities.
General Manager Reinhold Johann expressed pride in the achievement, noting that the accolades represent the team’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for guests of all ages in a breathtaking setting.
Nestled in the remote Raa Atoll and surrounded by the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers a rare blend of expansive space and barefoot luxury—ideal for family getaways, special celebrations, and immersive island adventures.
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