Connect with us

Action

Rastovich wins Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy

Published

on

Rasta Surfing

Maldives.net.mv – Professional free-surfer Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich defeated seasoned campaigner Taylor Knox (USA) in the Grand Final of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy on Sunday on Kuda Huraa, Maldives – to be crowned the 2014 champion.

Rasta found his rhythm early in the final, taking off on a set wave for an 8.60 score in his opening minute.

Then the free-flowing, natural-footer quickly backed up, with a heat-high 9.10 ride to consolidate his lead and leave defending champion Knox on the back foot for the remainder of the final.

‘If I knew contests could be this much fun, I probably would have been a contest guy, but I don’t think there is any other event that is like this one,’ said Rastovich.

Renowned free-surfer Rasta travels the world, searching for perfect surf and dedicating his time to environmental causes surrounding the issues of marine mammal conservation and preservation. But this week he had no trouble finding his competitive edge in the rolling point break waves and relished the clean 1.5-metre (3–5ft) waves on offer today.

‘Just to compete against these amazing surfers all week and for all of us to be hooting each other in the lineup has been an incredible experience,’ said Rastovich.

‘But at the same time everyone is wanting to surf at their highest level; it’s a really cool experience, because normally it’s one or the other but this event is not like that – it’s a great format in a perfect location.’

Knox, who locked in an 8.50 ride early, was forced to wait it out in the inconsistent conditions for a wave with scoring potential, but the ocean failed to cooperate and the defending champion relinquished his title with his second placing.

‘We were both just starting to warm up and I was thinking another couple of sets were going to come and that we both get two more waves, but it didn’t happen,’ said Knox. ‘Rasta has been in such good wave rhythm all week; it seems like every time he jumps off the boat he gets a nine. We were just both chatting out there and saying how lucky we are to be here, so it’s all good.’

The invitational event saw six former world champions, including Knox, Rastovich, Sunny Garcia (Haw), Taylor Jensen (USA), Fabio Gouveia (BRZ) and Rochelle Ballard (Haw) battling it out in epic conditions all week at Sultans Point.

Featuring a unique, one-of-a-kind format, the competitors surfed in three separate divisions in their quest to qualify for the Grand Champions Trophy.

The event started with everyone competing on classic early 70s-style single-fins. Round two saw them take to the stylish twin-fins. And the third round brought things modern as everyone jumped back on their contemporary thrusters.

En route to the final, Rastovich put on an exhibition of classic surfing to win the Single-Fin round, locked in a second place finish in the Twin-Fin round and a third in the Thruster to secure his finals berth.

Knox won both the Thruster and the Twin-Fin rounds, as well as finished fifth in the Single-Fin division.

The results were enough for him to accrue the points to qualify for the Grand Final.

For the third consecutive year, Hussein ‘Iboo’ Areef won the highly contested Domestic Champions Trophy that showcased the island nation’s depth of talent.

The goofy-footer blazed on his back with big critical snaps to defeat Ismail ‘Kuda Issay’ Miglal, Amid ‘Ammaday’ Agil and Mohamed ‘Billu’ Irushad.

All six former world champions watched the local final and were as impressed as contest director Ross Phillips, who stated, ‘The standard of surfing today in the Domestic Champions Trophy was world class. It was a tough final and Iboo was a deserving winner.’

‘The Maldivian Surfing Association is forging ahead in leaps and bounds. It’s fantastic to watch surfing progress at both a performance and organisational level in the Maldives,’ he said.

The Grand Final was honored by the presence of the minister of tourism, Mr Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor, and the minister of youth and sports, Mr Mohamed Maleeh Jamal, who attended the finals onboard the Four Seasons Explorer and presented the surfers with their awards.

Following the success of the fourth consecutive annual event Four Seasons and Tropicsurf are pleased to announce that the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy will return again in 2015. We look forward to more great surf.

RESULTS: Surfing Champions Grand Final

Surfing Champions Trophy
1st            Dave Rastovich (AUS) (8.60 + 9.10) 17.70pts
2nd            Taylor Knox (USA) (8.17 + 4.00) 12.17pts

Domestic Champions Trophy
1st            Hussain ‘Iboo’ Areef  16.00pts
2nd            Ismail ‘Kuda Issay’ Miglal 15.83pts
3rd            Amid ‘Ammaday’ Agil 13.84pts
4th            Mohamed ‘Billu’ Irushad 11.93pts

Excursions

From first visit to thousand dives: Love story anchored at Bandos Maldives

Published

on

Bandos Maldives recently marked a significant milestone with two of its most loyal guests, Kate and Andy, who have shared a long-standing connection with the island.

Andy achieved an impressive feat by completing his 900th dive, all undertaken with Dive Bandos. His wife, Kate, surpassed this accomplishment by reaching her 1000th dive, with over 900 of those dives also completed alongside the Bandos team.

The Dive Bandos team joined the couple in celebrating this memorable occasion, recognising not only their dedication to diving but also the enduring bond they have formed with the resort over the years.

Kate and Andy’s relationship with Bandos extends far beyond statistics. Having first visited the island in 2006, they have returned every year since, making Bandos an integral part of their lives. In 2014, the couple even chose to exchange their wedding vows underwater at the resort — a unique moment that forever linked their love story with Bandos.

“Celebrating guests like Kate and Andy reminds us of what Bandos truly represents,” said Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives.

For Bandos Maldives, moments such as these exemplify why guests continue to choose the island for both adventure and a sense of belonging. With stories like Kate and Andy’s, Bandos stands not merely as a dive destination, but as a home — both beneath and above the waves.

Continue Reading

Action

Dive into inspiration: Alessia Zecchini at Sun Siyam Olhuveli

Published

on

Sun Diving will host a special ocean experience with world champion freediver Alessia Zecchini on 13 October 2025. The event is scheduled to take place at Sunrise Beach, Sun Siyam Olhuveli, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, offering guests the opportunity to meet the athlete widely recognised as ‘The Deepest Woman in the World.’

Born in Rome in 1992, Zecchini began freediving at the age of 13 and went on to set multiple world and European records. She was the first woman to reach a depth of 100 metres in free immersion and has since achieved 123 metres in constant weight with monofin. Her career has been celebrated internationally, including in the film Vertical Breath and the Netflix documentary The Deepest Breath. She continues to advance the sport while promoting awareness of ocean conservation.

The event at Olhuveli will feature an informative talk where Zecchini will reflect on her freediving journey, achievements, and the importance of protecting the marine environment. Guests will also have the chance to take part in a Q&A session with her and the Sun Diving team. In addition, Sun Diving will organise an interactive beach activity where participants can try scuba and snorkel gear in shallow waters under the guidance of instructors. Guests will also be able to capture photographs, collect autographs, and learn more about diving at the dedicated booth, which will highlight special offers from Sun Diving.

“Welcoming Alessia Zecchini is an honour for us and an inspiration for our guests,” said Ahmed Nihaan, Dive Centre Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “Her achievements beneath the waves embody both human potential and the importance of protecting our oceans.”

Sun Diving, the official diving division of Sun Siyam Group, provides SSI-certified courses, snorkelling, freediving, and specialty programmes across its Maldives properties. As a subsidiary, it enhances guest experiences with curated dive packages, illustrated dive maps, lifeguard training, and eco-focused initiatives, positioning Sun Siyam as a leader in sustainable marine-based activities.

Continue Reading

Featured

Finolhu showcases Maldives’ only PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer

Published

on

Dive Butler International, in collaboration with Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, is highlighting the achievements of Mara Restelli, recognised as the Maldives’ only certified PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer.

With this rare qualification, Restelli offers a series of exclusive experiences designed to introduce guests of all ages to the art of mermaiding. The programmes range from playful introductory sessions to advanced courses and professional-level Instructor Development Courses (IDC).

“Mermaiding is more than a trend — it is a joyful way to connect with the water, express creativity, and feel empowered,” Restelli explained. “I enjoy watching guests discover confidence, freedom, and a sense of fun in the ocean. It is as much about transformation as it is about adventure.”

As part of Finolhu’s extensive marine offerings, the PADI Mermaid programmes provide an engaging complement to the resort’s diving and snorkelling activities. Participants may learn to glide gracefully underwater in a mermaid tail, capture striking images during professional photo sessions, or pursue advanced training that strengthens skills and deepens their connection with the ocean.

By hosting the Maldives’ only PADI Mermaid Instructor Development Course, Finolhu reinforces its reputation as a pioneering destination for distinctive and life-enriching marine experiences.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.