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Joel Parkinson opens Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy in style

The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy kicked off in fine fashion at flawless four-foot Sultans this morning, with single-fin surfboards the order of the day at the world’s most luxurious surfing event. “Look at this, it’s incredible!” said Adriano de Souza as he saw the empty lineup for the first time. “Just to be in this contest is a blessing, but with waves like this too? Wow!”
At day’s end 2015 world champion De Souza finished runner-up in the single fin division to 2012 world champ Joel Parkinson, who as a previous Surfing Champions Trophy competitor looked comfortable both at Sultans, and with the format. The Surfing Champions Trophy sees competitors battle it out in single fin, twin fin and thruster divisions. Start times are staggered from oldest to youngest and in 2023 Joel Parkinson will surf 31-minute heats while Adriano de Souza will enter the water at the 28-minute mark, Mason Ho a minute later, Coco Ho and Hood Ahmed a minute after that, while Conner Coffin joins the field at the 25-minute mark.
“Today was firing!” said Parkinson. “It’s amazing to be back here. I feel like I’ve put a lot of time into my single fin surfing these past few years. Hopefully I can be as competitive in the next rounds but once the boards get a little more high-performance I think my surfing might get left behind.”
De Souza started the day with a win over Hawaiian surfer Coco Ho and local wildcard Hood “Hoobs” Ahmed, who unlocked plenty of opportunities on his backhand. While De Souza needed the first half of his first heat to adjust to his equipment, once things clicked he engaged contest animal mode, finding barrels and aggressively attacking the lip to comfortably advance with a 15.50 two wave total.
Ho quickly found her groove atop an XOCOCO single-fin, one of many offerings from the new surfboard brand she has founded with shaper Matt Parker. “It’s about time surfboards were designed for women,”
said Ho, “and that doesn’t just mean ‘shrink it and pink it’, that means making boards that actually work.” Ho’s words rang true, the tubes she weaved through the course of the rounds the ultimate proof of concept.
In the second heat of the day Parkinson came up against Ho’s brother, renowned Hawaiian freesurfer Mason Ho, and Californian style master Conner Coffin, who only recently announced his retirement from WSL competition. “I’m new to this,” laughed Coffin, “so I thought I’d better get over here and let Joel show me how it’s done!”
Parkinson did just that, blazing through the opening rounds with a pair of eight-point rides to take the win. The Surfing Champions Trophy came alive at the 15-minute mark of the affair with a four-foot set broadsiding the Sultans reef and rousing the early morning crowd in the channel. Parkinson, already sitting on an 8.5 opener, pulled into a long, deep tube, backed up by a series of trademark carves on the first wave of the exchange. Coffin let his rails sing on the second, before Ho wrangled the foamball on the third. As the judges went to work another three waves turned inside out and spat into an empty channel. With minutes to go Mason found another gem, navigating a long tube to kick out in the channel with the 7.3 he needed to relegate Coffin to third place safely secured.
In the first semi-final Ho and De Souza went back and forth exchanging exquisitely ridden barrels and vicious carves from start to finish. While Ho threaded the best wave of the heat to lock in an eight after bowing to the Gods while kicking out, Adriano’s mixture of turns and tubes saw him advance with a pair of sevens.
The second semi saw Parkinson put on a tube riding clinic. The opener, a barrel sandwiched between trademark swoops earned him a 6.5 before Ho had entered the lineup. Once she did, Ho sat and played the waiting game while Parkinson went to work under priority, a 7.5 for a smaller yet hollower inside drainer putting plenty of pressure on the Hawaiian. Ho’s opener was a long, deep tube that she just missed the finish of, leaving a huge score behind as she got a little high and cartwheeled away.
Parkinson’s technical takeoff skills then earned him an 8.1 for a deep drainer that he threaded from the moment he found his feet. On the wave behind, with Parkinson looking straight into it, Ho again flew threw a huge tube, before again getting clamped.
The last set of the encounter saw Parkinson take off deep on a boat wake-ribbed wave, come from behind the peak and thread the pit to perfection. This resulted in the best wave score of the day, a 9.27, and a front row seat as Ho threw peace signs in the tube on the wave behind, her never-in-doubt exit earning her a 7.1 and plaudits from her opponent, and the channel. “I saw that barrel from the boat!” said de Souza, “It was insane, so good.”
In the all-world champion final, Parkinson (2012) took on De Souza (2012), though the three-minute head start for the elder statesman from Queensland amounted to nothing when the ocean went flat for the duration. After a slow start Parko got the ball rolling with a wider wave that didn’t look like much off the bat, but ended up a 6.43 as it grew down the line and let Parkinson sink his JS single fin into a series of strong turns. De Souza replied with a big set that offered no wall after an impressive drop, and he quickly aborted the mission to regain priority.
Parkinson took up residency on the wider peak while de Souza stationed himself at the top off the lineup. The contrasting tactics were on full display on the next set, de Souza taking off deep and reaping little reward, while Parkinson threaded a deep tube to perfection for a 9.07 and a handsome lead. With Adriano needing two fresh scores tube-pig Parkinson went to work burying his snout in every barrel that dared rear its head, occasionally paying a visit to the open face for a turn or two. Adriano found a late consolation 8.43, for a series of wild hacks, but to the victor go the spoils and Parkinson took out the single fin division to light up day one with his Cheshire Cat grin.
“A win is the best way to kick off the working vacation, isn’t it?” laughed Parkinson. “I’m really looking forward to enjoying the afternoon, and doing it all over again tomorrow. You beauty!”
The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy runs from August 21-28. The forecast looks good for the rest of the week so stay tuned for more updates when competition resumes with the twin fin division.
Single Fin Division Results:
- Joel Parkinson (AUS)
- Adriano de Souza (BRA)
- Coco Ho (HAW) equal with Mason Ho (HAW)
- Conner Coffin (USA) equal with Hood Ahmed (MDV)
2023 FS Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy Leaderboard:
- Joel Parkinson (AUS) 1000pts
- Adriano de Souza (BRA) 900pts
- Coco Ho (HAW) 800pts
- Mason Ho (HAW) 800pts
- Hood Ahmed (MDV) 700pts
- Conner Coffin (USA) 700pts
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Patina Maldives partners with FC Bayern Munich to host exclusive football camps

Following a successful collaboration with Real Madrid last year, Patina Maldives continues its tradition of extraordinary partnerships: The luxury resort welcomes FC Bayern Munich for an exclusive series of football camps on the Fari Islands. A total of six camps will be offered throughout 2025, timed to coincide with school holidays. Football- loving children and teenagers will have the rare opportunity to train under the guidance of licensed coaches from the German champions – all against the spectacular backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
The core focus of the camps is the professional training based on FC Bayern’s proven approach, designed to enhance technical skills, tactical understanding and game intelligence. Under the guidance of highly qualified coaches, young participants will not only learn precise ball control and strategic thinking but also the importance of teamwork and a winning mentality. Divided into three age groups, the training ensures targeted, age-appropriate development for every individual. A special highlight: Each participant receives an official FC Bayern kit, including a shirt, shorts and socks, as a keepsake from unforgettable days on the field.
The Patina Maldives football camps are more than just training sessions, they blend athletic performance with summer ease. After intense practice sessions and valuable coaching tips, the Indian Ocean invites participants to explore its crystal-clear waters.
The camps offer an extraordinary experience not only for the young talents but also for their families, turning the stay into the perfect vacation for the whole family. While the young players refine offensive strategies, penalty kicks and solid defense on the field, parents and grandparents can unwind on the white sandy beaches, indulge in the award-winning spa, or explore a variety of leisure activities together — from sustainable initiatives like the Coral Restoration Project, where coral frames and ceramic structures are created, to watersport adventures and engaging art workshops. Patina Maldives offers a vacation concept that bridges generational needs. And with a bit of luck, a special surprise might be in store for both young and old: perhaps a professional football player will make a personal appearance!
The football camps will be held on the following dates: April 20th to 24th 2025, August 1st to 5th 2025, October 24th to 30th 2025, December 22nd to 26th 2025 and December 29th 2025 to January 2nd 2026.
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OBLU NATURE Helengeli, partners to celebrate inaugural Women’s Dive Month in July

Taking a bold step in championing women in diving, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, part of the distinguished Atmosphere Core portfolio, and in partnership with TGI Maldives, ELE|NA Ayur spa and Marine Biologist Luca Melodia, have together launched International PADI Women’s Dive Month. This pioneering initiative extends the excitement of PADI Women’s Dive Day on 19th July into a full month, giving more thrill seekers the opportunity to experience the magic of the Indian Ocean.
Following a 2024 “PADI Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Diving” award, both TGI Maldives and OBLU NATURE Helengeli have been continuing their enthusiastic support for introducing more and more women and families into learning how to dive.
Helengeli island provides an incomparable diving experience. The island’s exotic house reef located just metres from the shoreline, and its surrounding dive sites are among the most sought-after in Malé Atoll, ideal for all skill levels, from beginner snorkellers to professional scuba divers. Throughout July, solo women travellers, adventurous families or even groups of friends escaping to this tropical haven, will find special offerings designed to encourage diving and exploration. All guests at the island resort enjoy the fully comprehensive OBLU Island Plan™, and in honour of PADI Women’s Dive Day, guests can enjoy a curated holiday package including wellness sessions, discounted dives, and engaging marine life talks.
Dive centre TGI Maldives boasts over 40 years’ experience supporting women in the sport of ocean diving. Known for their progressive approach to encouraging locals and travellers alike, the dive centre offers exclusive discounts on all dives booked by women throughout July, including the PADI Discover Scuba Dive for beginners. With a dedicated instructor, the discovery session is a safe and rewarding introduction to diving, even for non-swimmers, whilst for the professionals, excursions out into the big blue will unveil the Indian Ocean’s secrets.
TGI Maldives Operations Manager Greta Marcelli highlights the reasons for introducing this year’s Women’s Dive Month festivities, “There’s nothing like seeing guests’ emotions after their first dive. While we celebrate women in diving year-round, PADI Women’s Dive Month in July provides a platform to offer more reasons to join us in paradise. Partnering with the ELE|NA Ayur spa team and Marine Biologist Luca Melodia, we are creating an unforgettable and educational journey. We aim to bring together women, friends, and families for an immersive escape. Guests will enjoy diving, spa wellness classes, and all-inclusive dining. It’s a soulful island adventure into the aquatic world and beyond.”
To enhance the underwater adventure, the island’s ELE|NA Ayur spa team has curated over 18 different wellness activities, rotating throughout the month. From sunrise yoga by the ocean to aqua aerobics and core stability classes, these sessions help improve flexibility, endurance, and stamina, all essential for moving through the water with ease. And as a special treat, women who book a dive experience with TGI Maldives Helengeli will receive discounts on ELE|NA Ayur’s famous signature Coconut Shell and Sand Bundle massages. Drawing on age-old Maldivian healing practices, these unique rejuvenating therapies feature only locally sourced, sustainable ingredients and are just two treatments from the spa’s extensive award-winning menu.
Matt Wenger, PADI Regional Manager for the Maldives, stated, “As a leading PADI certified dive centre in the Indian Ocean, the team at TGI Maldives brings exceptional expertise in introducing ocean enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds to the wonders of scuba diving. This July, by extending our PADI Women’s Dive Day celebration into a month-long event at the truly stunning OBLU NATURE Helengeli resort, we aim to welcome even more newcomers to the sport while also offering advanced certifications for existing enthusiasts”.
This July, guests are invited to take full advantage of the PADI International Dive Month at OBLU NATURE Helengeli and book their stay with a generous 20% discount on a fully inclusive stay of a minimum of four nights. TGI Maldives is offering 20% discount on all women’s PADI-certified dive courses booked throughout the month of July whilst ELE|NA spa also extends a 20% discount on the Coconut Shell and Sand Bundle signature treatments for every female guest who books a PADI Dive Month course.
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Jet Car: Sun Siyam Iru Fushi unveils ultimate family adventure

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is once again making waves with the launch of its latest water sports adventure—the Jet Car Experience. Set against the backdrop of the island’s turquoise lagoon, the Jet Car offers an exciting way to explore the ocean in comfort and style. With its sleek automotive-inspired design and smooth performance, this water ride is perfect for families, couples, and friends looking to add a little adventure to their stay. Whether cruising under the sun or capturing perfect picture moments, the Jet Car adds an extraordinary and refreshing twist to island leisure.
Launched in anticipation of the resort’s whimsical Easter festivities, the Jet Car sets the stage for an action-packed holiday in paradise. From Easter egg hunts and creative kids’ programs to beachside feasts, live entertainment, and themed dining events — Easter at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is a celebration for every generation.

Easter Holiday Offer – book by April 20, 2025, for stays until December 23, 2025. Enjoy free seaplane transfers for one guest with a 4-night stay, plus up to 30% off villas and beach dining. Book a 90-minute spa treatment and receive a 120-minute upgrade for free. Two children can enjoy complimentary wakeboarding or water skiing with two paying adults.
Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or serenity, the Jet Car experience and Easter escape at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi deliver the perfect blend of luxury, adventure, and family-friendly fun.
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