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Taylor Knox beats Tom Curren to win twin fin division

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Taylor Knox SurfingMaldives.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

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Summer of connection, discovery at Jumeirah Olhahali Island

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Jumeirah Olhahali Island invites guests to experience a summer unlike any other – one that celebrates connection, creativity, and discovery across the shores of North Malé Atoll in the Maldives. From May through August, the all-villa retreat introduces an inspired seasonal programme where every generation can create lasting memories through immersive dining, shared adventures, and revitalising wellness rituals.

A Season of Flavour

A highlight of the summer season, the resort will host an exclusive culinary residency from 7 to 12 June in collaboration with restaurant Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia, the celebrated Indian dining destination from Jumeirah Al Qasr in Dubai. For six evenings, 35 guests can enjoy an intimate, flavour-rich tasting experience spotlighting both beloved and lesser-known regional Indian dishes, reimagined with a modern twist.

The summer calendar continues with vibrant dining occasions, including the Eid International Market Night on 6 June and an Omakase Coffee Series from 6 to 10 June.

Beyond these highlights, guests can also embrace the island’s broader dining journey, whether savouring wood-fired pizzas with toes in the sand at Shimmers, discovering Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei plates at Kayto, or indulging in destination dining with beach barbecues, floating breakfasts, and private sandbank picnics.

Adventures for Every Generation

Families are at the heart of the island’s summer programming with a joyful mix of opportunities to reconnect through movement, exploration, and play. Returning favourites include the Olhahali kite festival (9 June, 15 July, 6 August), which fills the skies with colour and delight, and Kids’ Summer Olympics (6 June, 4 July, 21 July, 11 August), adding a playful sense of camaraderie with water polo in the Shimmers pool. New additions like the mini badminton tournament (3 June, 18 June, 8 July, 20 August) and weekly penalty shoot-outs (Tuesdays in June) bring plenty of friendly competition.

Younger guests can take part in lifeguard-led swimming classes throughout August from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, providing a fun way to build confidence and skills in the water. Meanwhile, teens and adults can opt for guided watersport camps led by seasoned instructors, mastering the waves with knee boarding, water skiing, and wakeboarding lessons.

Evenings unfold under the stars with beach cinema nights, where families gather for outdoor movies, camp-style snacks, and laughter shared on the shores of the island’s pristine beaches.

Wellness in Rhythm with Nature

From sunrise yoga to curated spa journeys, the season also offers a renewed focus on well-being at the resort’s Talise Spa. From 16 May to 30 June, visiting practitioner Dr. Aradhana offers therapies rooted in naturopathy, including Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage, shamanic cleansing, yogic detox, and therapeutic sound healing. Her approach blends ancient practices with modern healing techniques, guiding guests into deeper awareness and balance.

Daily movement is encouraged with 1-hour Technogym Bootcamps on Mondays and Thursdays, where panoramic views energise high-impact sessions.

Artful Moments Inspired by the Sea

At MURACA Art Studio, named after the Maldivian word for coral, families are invited to express their creativity in a wide collection of immersive art sessions. In August, a resident ceramicist will lead hands-on pottery workshops, inspiring creativity and mindfulness through tactile expression.

Bringing added ease to summer travels, the resort offers a collection of tailored savings and privileges for villa stays. The Jumeirah Escapes Offer includes up to 20% off private villas, with an additional 5% savings for Jumeirah One members, plus a perk of added benefits. For larger families, the Jumeirah Signature Escapes Offer features hotel credit of USD 200 or USD 400 when booking the resort’s two- or three-bedroom retreats. For more information or to reserve a summer escape, visit here.

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Angsana Velavaru unveils new wellness journeys with Shubhangi Chauhan

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Angsana Velavaru, a secluded island retreat in the South Nilandhe Atoll, unveils a new chapter in its guest experience this May with the launch of a curated wellness yoga programme – a purposeful and poised invitation to return to the essential of wellbeing. Rooted in the resort’s ongoing commitment to mindful, holistic travel, the offering marks a quiet evolution that creates spaces not only to unwind, but to reconnect with oneself in meaningful, grounded ways.

Designed with quiet intention, the new yoga programme blends classical techniques with contemporary needs. Complimentary morning and afternoon sessions guide guests through Sunrise Flow, Breath & Balance, and Hatha Yoga – practices that anchor the body and reset the nervous system. Each class is held in an open-air pavilions or beachfront space, where the movement of the ocean and the softness of natural light lend their own quiet support.

For those seeking more immersive practice, chargeable sessions explore deeper dimensions of stillness and release – from Pranayama and Yin Yoga to guided Meditation and Restorative Sunset Yoga. The programme is supported by trained instructor who focus not on performance, but on personal connection and presence. Private sessions are also available, offering tailored approaches for guests who wish to explore their practice more intimately – whether for physical balance or emotional clarity.

Wellbeing at Angsana Velavaru extends beyond the mat. Tucked within the island’s lush greenery, the award winning Angsana Spa offers a distinctive approach to bodywork and healing. Treatments are rooted in time-honoured Asian traditions and delivered with intuitive care. From soothing body polishes to tension releasing massages, each therapy is designed to restore energy gently and naturally. Warm, grounding hospitality and the spa’s contemporary design create an atmosphere of calm- where the body can soften and the mind can finally slow.

To mark Global Wellness Day from 13 to 15 June, Angsana Velavaru welcomes Shubhangi Chauhan, certified holistic wellness coach and founder of WITHIN, for a special guest residency. Her personal story – a transformative journey from physical burnout to deep self-discovery – now forms the foundation of global movement supporting mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Today, WITHIN is home to a team of 23 practitioners, offering coaching, emotional support, and mindset guidance across continents.

During her residency, Shubhangi will lead a thoughtfully curated programme featuring strength and breathwork sessions, yoga for flexibility and inner balance, and a Wellness Circle exploring mental clarity, nutrition, and community care. A signature session – a blindfold Free Flow Dance followed by Yoga Nidra – invites guests into a rare space of surrender and emotional release.

The collaboration reflects broader philosophy at Angsana Velavaru – that wellbeing is not about routine but rhythm. Not about escape, but return. And that sometimes, the most powerful transformation happens not in movements but in stillness.

At Angsana Velavaru, wellness is an experience of depth, presence, and purpose. Reconnect with your inner rhythm through yoga, discover healing through spa rituals and take part in a transformative wellness collaboration on an island made for renewal.

To learn more about Shubhangi’s residency programme and secure your place for Global Wellness Day, visit the resort’s website.

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Awards

TripAdvisor honours Ifuru Island Maldives in top 10% of hotels for 2025

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Ifuru Island Maldives has announced that it has been recognised as a winner in the prestigious Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2025, placing the resort in the top 10% of hotels worldwide.

This achievement celebrates businesses that consistently deliver fantastic experiences to travellers around the globe, having earned outstanding traveler reviews on Tripadvisor over the past 12 months. Ifuru Island Maldives stood out by delighting guests with its warm hospitality, vibrant experiences, and the one-of-a-kind Exclusively Yours Premium All Inclusive concept.

“We are thrilled to receive this award, especially because it comes directly from our guests’ feedback,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives. “Our passionate team pours their heart into creating unforgettable moments for every guest, and this recognition is a true reflection of their dedication and the magic of our island.”

Ifuru Island Maldives has quickly become a sought-after destination for travellers looking to connect, unwind, and celebrate life in style. With its unique Exclusively Yours Premium All Inclusive offering, guests enjoy a seamless holiday experience filled with culinary variety, curated entertainment, and a vibrant social lifestyle concept that brings people together. From spacious suites with direct beach access to immersive island experiences and warm, genuine service, Ifuru Island delivers exceptional value for money without compromising on quality or guest satisfaction.

Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards honour travellers’ favourite destinations, hotels, restaurants, and activities around the world. Winners are determined based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings over a 12-month period.

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