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Dates announced for Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2015

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2 Thila

Clear your calendars! The first three competitors for the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2015have been announced, and it’s the hottest line-up yet.

Headlining the event’s fifth consecutive year, free-surfer Dave “Rasta” Rastovich returns to defend his 2014 title, joined by fearless big-wave legend Shane Dorian and record-setting “surf goddess” Sofia Mulanovich – plus three more world champs yet to be announced.

Surfing enthusiasts the world over won’t want to miss the shoulder-rubbing action that this boutique, invitation-only event brings: a unique chance to stay on a 12 acre (5 hectare) island and share an exclusive “surf tour” experience with six of the sport’s biggest names at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.

The event is organised in conjunction with luxury surf pioneers Tropicsurf (the pros behind Kuda Huraa’s surf courses and trips) and run from the 39 metre (128 foot) Four Seasons Explorer. Guests can obtain day passes to enjoy the action on board as well as well as mingle with the competitors at post-surf cocktail parties.

Event co-ordinator Mark Winson of Tropicsurf comments, “Each year I see the Champions Trophy concept grow to another level. A reputation for flawless waves and high performance surfing again has the world’s elite surfers banging down the door to be one of the six contenders. I think Rasta will have his work cut out for him defending the title considering the competition’s unique age-based handicap. To give the likes of Shane Dorian a head start to a heat will have a big impact.”

The SCT is unique in many ways, from determining a surfer’s heat based on their age to a test of skill across three different divisions: single-fin, twin-fin, and triple-fin thruster. This year sees a free-surfer, a big-wave rider, and a hard-charging female challenger in the mix for the USD 25,000 prize money, with excitement building as to who will claim the last three spots.  Introducing the first three SCT 2015 competitors:

Rasta Surfing

Dave “Rasta” Rastovich (AUS)

Hitting the ocean scene as a nipper (young Australian lifesaver), Rasta went on to surf up a wave of wins: U/16 World Grommet Titles in Bali, Pro Junior Burleigh Heads and finals of Billabong World Junior Championships. Turning his back on the traditional pro route, he carved a career that has included recognition as the world’s first pro freesurfer; winning the open class Molokai to Oahu Hawaiian inter-island paddle race (world champs of long-distance open ocean paddling); and setting up Surfers for Cetaceans, dedicated to the conservation and protection of the marine life he shares the water with.

Commenting on his return to defend his 2014 SCT title, Rasta says, “This is a surfing event that ensures everyone has a good time. We all progress our surfing together, go diving, enjoy amazing food and drinks, and get to retreat to luxury at the end of every surf and sun soaked day. I can’t believe I get to re-live the dream of being in this event again this year.”

Shane Dorian (HAW)

One of the world’s best big-wave surfers, Dorian hails from Kona, Hawaii.  He began surfing at the age of 5, turning pro at 17 and steadily climbed the world ranks, reaching his career best #4 in 2000. Carving his own surfing style – raised-chin, down-turned hands, splayed fingers – Dorian was considered one of the best all-rounders when he retired from the tour in 2003.  Far from quitting surfing, the ever-fearless tuberider shifted his focus to big-wave surfing, winning six Billabong XXL big-wave awards between 2005 and 2013 and achieving the ultimate kudos for the near impossible: slaying a world-record setting 57-footer at Jaws, Maui’s monster break, in 2011.

“I can’t wait to get back to the Maldives,” Shane says. “I love it there and am excited to enjoy a week atFour Seasons with my wife Lisa. The chance to score some waves with five other invitees will be awesome!”

Sofia Mulanovich (PER)

The first Peruvian surfer to win an Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour event; the first South American to win a world title; the first South American surfer to be inducted into the Surfer’s Hall of Fame; and the first surfer to defeat Layne Beachley from her six year dominance of the sport – Sofia Mulanovich is surfing elite.  With surfing traditionally being a male-dominated sport in Peru, she grew up competing against the boys, entering her first pro contests at 13. A blue-eyed beauty with a hard-charging style, she’s sure to give this year’s SCT line-up a real run for their money.

Commenting on her place in the competition, Sofia says, “I have always wanted to go to the Maldives. I imagine it’s just like being in paradise.  I’m super excited that I now have the opportunity to surf there and stay at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa. It’s a dream come true – I can’t wait!”

 

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Dive into inspiration: Alessia Zecchini at Sun Siyam Olhuveli

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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.

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Excursions

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives partners with Martin brothers as 2025 Surfing Ambassadors

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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has announced Australian teenage surfers Will and Luca Martin as the resort’s Surfing Ambassadors for 2025. The brothers are scheduled to visit the resort from 9 to 17 October 2025, bringing their skills to one of the Maldives’ most recognisable surf locations. The resort was recently named Maldives’ Best Surf Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives 2025 Awards for the second consecutive year.

Luca Martin, aged 14, is currently ranked second in Australia in the under-16 category. He has secured a series of junior titles, including the 2025 Queensland State Titles and the Billabong Occy Grom Comp at Snapper Rocks. Known for his speed and fluid style, Luca is already sponsored by Quiksilver.

Will Martin, aged 17, is ranked sixth in Australia in the under-18 category. A rider for Mad Huey’s, he began surfing at the age of three and has achieved notable results, including winning the 2025 Open Men’s Barney Miller Surf Comp. Training stints at Hawaii’s Billabong Pipe House have further refined his barrel-riding skills. Originally from Coffs Harbour and now based on the Gold Coast, the brothers share ambitions to compete on the professional world tour.

The brothers will surf ‘Kandooma Right’, a sought-after right-hander located directly in front of the resort. In partnership with Perfect Wave, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives provides exclusive access to the wave, which has become a bucket-list destination for Australian surfers. During their stay, Perfect Wave will introduce the Martin brothers to the local surf breaks. The brothers intend to document and share their experiences through social media, inspiring young Australian surfers to consider the Maldives.

Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, welcomed the partnership: “Together with our partners Perfect Wave, we are delighted to appoint Will and Luca Martin as our Surfing Ambassadors. It is rewarding to see the Kandooma Maldives brand represented alongside their sponsors, including Quiksilver. Australians have always had a strong connection with the Maldives surf scene, and we look forward to the inspiration the brothers will bring to our guests and the wider surf community.”

The resort works closely with Perfect Wave to manage its surf operations, ensuring a balance between high-quality guest experiences and environmental sustainability. Efforts are made to maintain a crowd-free atmosphere and to protect the reef ecosystem while tailoring packages for different levels of surfers.

Speaking ahead of their visit, Will Martin said on behalf of himself and his brother: “We are excited to be heading to Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. It is a dream to surf a perfect right-hander directly in front of where you are staying. We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to experiencing everything the resort has to offer.”

Beyond Kandooma Right, several other surf breaks are accessible by boat, including:

  • Tucky Joes/Boatyards – a left-hander with long, intense rides.
  • Riptides – a right-hand reef break extending up to 150 metres, suitable for confident intermediates, longboarders, and shortboarders.
  • Quarters – a versatile wave with sections catering to beginners, longboarders, and advanced surfers.

Guests visiting Kandooma during this period will have the opportunity to watch Will and Luca surf at Surf Corner. Those booked through Perfect Wave may also have the chance to join them in the line-up.

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Dusit Thani Maldives offers direct access to Baa Atoll’s living reef

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At Dusit Thani Maldives, the experience of the ocean begins directly at the doorstep. Situated within the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, the resort is surrounded by one of the most vibrant house reefs in the country, offering guests the opportunity to explore a thriving underwater world just steps from their villa.

What distinguishes the resort is its 360-degree house reef. Each villa, whether set above the lagoon or along the beach, opens directly onto the water. Guests can enter the ocean within moments of leaving their deck, where coral gardens, schools of tropical fish, and turtles can often be seen. The seamless access allows families, beginners, and experienced snorkellers to engage with the reef naturally, without the need to plan or schedule an excursion.

The location within the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve makes every swim a part of a wider story of conservation and discovery. Recognised globally for its corals and tropical marine life, the reserve becomes a key gathering site for manta rays and whale sharks during the season. Around the reef, visitors can observe parrotfish, angelfish, eagle rays, and reef sharks, making it a living example of biodiversity and preservation.

Life at the resort is centred on this connection with the sea. Guests may begin their day with a morning swim, take part in a guided snorkelling safari with marine experts, and conclude by observing the coral gardens as they take on new colours in the evening light. The ocean becomes not simply a backdrop but an integral part of daily life.

The PADI-certified Dive and Watersports Centre further enhances this relationship with the ocean, offering night snorkels, freediving, drift dives, and marine education programmes designed for families. Guests are supported to safely explore the biodiversity of the atoll at their own level, whether through a gentle introduction or more advanced diving experiences.

Jean-Louis Ripoche, Area General Manager, Dusit Maldives, noted that snorkelling at the resort is not treated as an activity but as part of the rhythm of island life. He explained that the reef begins where the villa deck ends, allowing guests the freedom to explore the ocean at their own pace and making the location distinctive in its accessibility and natural beauty.

At Dusit Thani Maldives, the distinction between villa and ocean fades away. From sighting turtles at sunrise to drifting beside reef sharks at dusk, every moment reinforces the natural character of the Maldives and the unique setting of the resort.

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