Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has confirmed Brazilian freesurfer Victor Bernardo for the 2026 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, joining Mason Ho in a growing field of world-class athletes.

Returning to Sultans from September 4 to 11, 2026, the invitation-only contest brings six celebrated surfers to the North Malé Atoll to compete across single fin, twin fin and thruster divisions. The format places adaptability, creativity and board knowledge at the centre of the competition, with an overall champion crowned after three distinct eras of surfboard design have been put to the test.

For guests staying at Kuda Huraa, the Trophy offers close access to the competition and the athletes taking part. Sultans is reached within minutes of the resort, while the week extends beyond the heats through post-surf conversations, sunset gatherings and opportunities to experience the wider surf culture of the island.

Bernardo joins the field as one of contemporary surfing’s most accomplished all-round stylists. Known for moving comfortably between alternative boards and high-performance equipment, the 28-year-old has built a global reputation for fluid surfing, technical range and an instinctive understanding of how different boards shape a wave.

Whether threading tubes on a quad, drawing extended lines on a twin fin or producing powerful turns on a modern thruster, Bernardo’s approach makes him particularly suited to the Champions Trophy format.

“I surf different boards every day, and to me it’s the most fun thing in surfing,” said Bernardo. “To be in an event like this has always been my dream. I’m very excited for it.”

Born in Guarujá on Brazil’s São Paulo coastline, Bernardo first paddled out at four years old alongside his family. He spent more than a decade progressing through the professional ranks, winning the Oakley Pro Junior and establishing himself as one of Brazil’s leading competitive prospects.

In recent years, he has become one of surfing’s most respected freesurfers, earning recognition for his style, versatility and willingness to explore a broad range of surfboard designs. That range has made him a natural addition to an event where competitors must continually adjust their technique, equipment and approach. “I love that it’s very selective, and it seems to be an incredible experience,” Bernardo added. “I am honoured and excited.”

His invitation also carries a personal significance beyond the competition. “What I’m most excited about is bringing my mum on her first international trip, enjoying our time together and having fun.”

Held at the world-renowned right-hand break of Sultans, the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy combines elite competition with the freedom and experimentation of classic surfing. Its compact field, three-board format and island setting have helped distinguish it from conventional professional contests.

First staged in 2011, the Trophy has welcomed athletes including Mark Occhilupo, Taj Burrow, Josh Kerr, Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson, Michel Bourez, Carissa Moore and Maya Gabeira. The 2025 edition saw Michel Bourez complete a comeback from injury to win the overall title, recording the event’s only perfect 10 along the way. With Bernardo now joining Mason Ho for 2026, the next edition is already taking shape as one of the most unpredictable in the event’s history.

Further competitors will be announced in the coming weeks, with updates shared through surfingchampionstrophy.com and the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa channels.

Where Champions Come to Surf

The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy brings six invited athletes to Sultans to compete across single fin, twin fin and thruster divisions. Unlike a conventional surf contest, the format rewards the ability to interpret a wave through different boards, techniques and periods of surfing history.

The Garden-Island Base at Kuda Huraa

Located 25 minutes by speedboat from Malé, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa provides direct access to the surf breaks of the North Malé Atoll, supported by more than two decades of collaboration with Tropicsurf. During the Trophy, guests can follow the competition at Sultans, meet leading figures from the surf world and combine event access with coaching, wellness and island experiences.

To reserve a stay during the 2026 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy or enquire about the Surf’s Up package, contact reservations.mal@fourseasons.com or call +960 66 00 888.

One&Only Reethi Rah, the Maldives’ iconic private island retreat, has announced the powerhouse singer-songwriter Jessie J as the headlining entertainer for its highly anticipated New Year’s Eve celebrations. The exclusive live performance, reserved solely for resort guests, continues One&Only Reethi Rah’s growing tradition of welcoming the New Year with some of the world’s most celebrated musical acts.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Indian Ocean, New Year’s Eve celebrations at One&Only Reethi Rah will culminate in the resort’s Gala Night on 31st December 2026. The highlight of the festive season, the evening will begin with an elegant beachside cocktail reception before unfolding into an exhilarating celebration of culinary theatre and captivating live performances. As 2026 draws to a close, Jessie J will take the stage, bringing the celebrations to electrifying heights with her powerhouse vocals, dynamic stage presence and chart-topping hits.

Known for her exceptional vocal range and unique musical style blending soul, pop, and contemporary R&B; her prolific ear for musical hooks and confident stage persona, her global singles including “Price Tag,” “Domino,” and “Bang Bang” have reached #1 in the world, garnering various accolades including the Critics’ Choice BRIT Award and a Grammy nomination. Throughout her career, Jessie J has also served as a coach on the renowned singing competition shows The Voice UK, The Voice Australia, and The Voice Kids UK.

“We are excited to welcome Jessie J to One&Only Reethi Rah for this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations,” said Jan Tibaldi, General Manager of the resort. “One&Only is all about creating unforgettable moments, and ringing in 2027 with an artist of Jessie J’s calibre promises to be a spectacular night that our guests will remember for years to come.”

This year’s festive season at One&Only Reethi Rah welcomes guests to explore unhurried moments of connection through the theme of Time as One, centred on sharing meaningful and liberating experiences. Guests of all ages are invited to discover unscripted memories through a season of family holiday traditions, divine culinary experiences, rejuvenating wellness treatments, and exhilarating activities on sand and in the sea. Jessie J’s performance at the end of the year is sure to embody the spirit of the season and ignite meaningful and special memories to welcome 2027.

The festive season at One&Only Reethi Rah commences on 20th December 2026 with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Cocktail and ends on 13th January 2026 with the resort’s Orthodox New Year Gala Dinner. Reservations and pre-bookings are recommended.

For inquiries and bookings, please contact the VIP Services team at reethirah.festive@oneandonlyreethirah.com. For more information about festive and the resort, please visit oneandonlyreethirah.com. For bookings, please call +960 664 8800 or contact the resort’s reservations team at reservations@oneandonlyreethirah.com.

W Maldives, a luxury private-islandresort with one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, will welcome neuroscientist, meditation coach, and wellness innovator, and Brainwave founder Anne-Sophie Fluri for The Restore Ritual, taking place from September 14 to 20, 2026.

The week-long wellness residency will combine neuroscience, mindfulness, and immersive island experiences, offering guests a new perspective on mental well-being. Through a series of guided practices, Fluri will explore how mental fitness can be developed with the same intention as physical wellness.

The Restore Ritual is the latest installment of The Wavemaker Edit, W Maldives’ signature series featuring global innovators across culinary, mixology, music, art, design, sustainability, and wellness. Set against the natural beauty of the Maldives, the week-longresidency brings a science-led approach to mental well-beingthrough experiences designed to encourage curiosity, reflection, and meaningful connection.

For Fluri, well-beingbegins with understanding the mind. Her work is built on the belief that resilience, focus, and emotional well-beingare skills that can be strengthened through science-backed practices and daily rituals. Rather than treating wellness as an occasional escape, she encourages people to develop sustainable habits that support a calmer, more present way of living, combining neuroscience with mindfulness to make mental fitness both practical and accessible.

Her career spans neuroscience research, technology, and wellness. During her Master of Research in Experimental Neuroscience at Imperial College London, Fluri contributed to pioneering research in psychedelic science and migraine treatment. She later earned a scholarship to develop algorithms addressing motion sickness in virtual reality.

Fluri went on to serve as Head of Mindfulness at a mental fitness platform and Chief Science Officer at a sleep technologycompany. She now develops neuroscience-based products and leads Brainwave, a global platform delivering science-backed talks, workshops, coaching and events delivered by scientists and academics.

Throughout the residency, Fluri will personally lead every session, using the island’s natural surrounds as a setting for explorationand reflection. The program will include sunrise meditationoverlookingthe Indian Ocean, conscious breathwork and visualization, invigorating ice bath challenge, and restorative rituals held in selected locations across the island. Sessions will unfold at settings including Coral Terrace, surrounded by the resort’s award-winning house reef, and the secluded shores of Gaathafushi Private Island. Each location brings nature into the experience, creating moments where nature and neuroscience come together in harmony.

“The Wavemaker Edit was created to bring inspiring voices and fresh perspective to W Maldives,”said Amila Handunwala, General Managerof W Maldives. “Anne-Sophierepresents a new generation of wellness innovators who combine scientific knowledge with genuine human connection. The Restore Ritual offers our guests an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and discover that wellbeing extends far beyond the spa. It is about creating experiences that stay with you long after you leave the island.”

Guests interested in experiencing The Restore Ritual and the resort’s evolving calendar of cultural and wellness programming can book the Half Board Escape package, availableuntil August 31, 2026. This package includes a stay with daily buffet breakfast, a daily three-course dinner at selected dining venues, and an in-room W MixBar stocked with non-alcoholicbeverage.

For more information, visit wmaldives.com or connect with the resort’s team at reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.