It’s that time of year again when Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa surf crowd commences the countdown to the world’s most luxurious surfing event, which will take place from August 5-12, 2019.

And with 2018’s champion – and surf celeb – Josh Kerr from Australia confirmed to defend his title, the ninth annual Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy looks on track to set the Maldivian waves alight once again this summer.

Last year’s exclusive invitational event was a tightly fought affair with epic displays from each of the riders before Kerr took the victory in a grand finale matchup against Alejo Muniz from Brazil.

A surf competition like no other, the Surfing Champions Trophy determines a surfer’s heat time based on their age, and tests skill across three different divisions: single-fin, twin-fin, and triple-fin thruster, challenging its elite line-up of six former world champions to perfect a variety of disciplines to take the top spot.

Speaking after last year’s triumph, Kerr said, “Last year was such an incredible event to be involved with. I never thought I’d get so barrelled here in the Maldives! The concept of this event is really cool; to test surfer’s depth of talent across craft from different eras in surfing is awesome. I can’t wait to return to the Maldives and share this experience with a new group of contestants. Oh and my family are super excited to come back to Kuda Huraa, they absolutely love it there.”

Hailing from Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia, Kerr first took to the waves on a bodyboard, aged seven, graduating to his first surfboard three years later. He was winning airshows by 16, quickly building a reputation for his trademark aerial flips, charging barrels and superior tail wafts – even inventing a surfing manoeuvre he called the Kerr-upt Flip.

He retired from the CT tour in 2017, following an illustrious career with highlights including 2015 Big Wave Tour winner and multi-winning Airshow World Champion with his best ASP Tour finishes being 2nd in 2014 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro and 3rd in 2014 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.

At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, he will be battling it out for serious inner-circle surfing kudos and USD 25,000 prize winnings, whilst enjoying all the spoils of one of the Maldives’ best loved resorts, which plays host to the event, competitors, judges and TropicSurf partners, plus a packed house of lucky Kuda Huraa guests.

“This is an awesome experience for anyone passionate about competitive surfing, with a chance to see a unique world-class competition while enjoying the modern luxury of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. A true test of surfing skill and adaptability, you can definitely expect some surprises as our diverse line-up of contestants take to the waves,” Event Co-ordinator Mark Winson of Tropicsurf said, commenting on this year’s competition.

Those quick to get in on the action can take advantage of the resort’s tournament-specific surf package, Surfing Champions Trophy 2019, which includes: 10 per cent off bed & breakfast rates; daily breakfast; VIP event passes (held on board the Maldives’ ultimate surf cruiser, Four Seasons Explorer); a nightly cocktail hour with the Championship pro competitors; Surf Lagoon Lessons for two (option for advanced surfers to upgrade to Ocean Transition classes); complimentary daily surf reports with the latest conditions and event updates; daily yoga sessions; use of stand-up paddleboards and a 60-minute massage at the Island Spa.

To secure a spot at the world’s most luxurious surfing event book online, email reservations.mal@fourseasons.com or call + 960 66 00 888.