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Two-time world champion Damien Hardman wins Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2012

Published

13 years ago

September 3, 2012

Maldives Promotion House – Australian surfing legend and two-time world champion Damien ‘Dooma’ Hardman (Aus), 46, narrowly defeated three-time world champion Tom Curren (USA), 48, in the Grand Champions Final of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2012 today.

The invitational event saw five world champions, Hardman, Curren, Mark Occhilupo (Aus), Martin Potter (GB) and Rhil Rajzman (Brz) compete across three divisions to qualify for the Grand Champions Trophy.

It was a magical week in the Maldives for Hardman, winning both the Single and Twin Fin divisions to claim USD6000 before adding another UD$10,000 to his total prize tally of USD$16000.

“I can’t remember the last time I won sixteen grand,” said Hardman.

“It’s been a great week, for our ages we are all surfing on top of our game and Curren was amazing today,” said Hardman. “It was a serious contest out there, but at the same time I had a lot of fun.”

Hardman opened quickly in the final, locking in an 8.83, leaving Curren playing catch-up straight out of the gates. With two minutes remaining the door opened for Curren when Hardman lost priority, but the inconsistent conditions favored the ever-strategic Australian, who would eventually go on to claim the 2012 title. Curren, requiring a 7.5, made one last ditch effort but only managed a 6.5 on his final ride to be forced to settle for second,

“Opening up against Curren in a final where the winner gets ten grand and the waves are quite slow was great,” said Hardman. “You can’t get a better start than that so I think that was the one wave in the final that made the difference.”

Curren who finished with a heat total of 16:10 to Hardman’s 16:56 was happy with his performance and the USD6000 win.

“It was a close final and could have gone either way,” said Curren.

“We had some great exchanges and I knew I had to go on that last wave, as it was inconsistent, but it didn’t have the potential to get the score. Sometimes it just goes that way,” added Curren.

Sultan’s Point turned on a flawless finals day for the Four Seasons Maldives Champions Trophy 2012 with crisp three- to five-foot (1.5 metres) reef-break waves pulsing through all day for the Thruster Division and the all-important Grand Champions Final.

Curren (USA) timed his run to perfection, coming from behind with subtlety, style and calculation to win the Thruster Division and secure a coveted Grand Champions Final berth. Curren was in command from the outset of the final over 2007 World Longboard champion Phil Rajzman (Brz). The American style master remained focused throughout the 30-minute matchup to leave Rajzman, 30, requiring an achievable 6.07 score on the siren.

“I’m very happy,” said Curren. “I like my board a lot and the waves are much better today. I knew Phil was going to be very hard to beat and it came down to that last set wave and he didn’t need much of a score, but it went my way.”

Semifinal one between archrivals and two of surfing most influential stars, Curren and Occhilupo, didn’t disappoint with its intensity. The lead exchanged constantly until Occhilpo looked secure, but Curren proved he could not be underestimated using a last second wave to take the win.

“That was a tough match-up with Occy,” said Curren. “There wasn’t that any waves in that heat and Occy got that really good one at the end. Then I got that pretty decent one behind it and that was enough.”

Despite losing in the opening round of the Thruster Division, Hardman’s earlier wins in the Single and Twin Fin divisions saw the goofy-footer accrue enough points to secure an all-important Grand Champions Final berth.

Minister of Defense and National Security Mohamed Nazim attended the awards ceremony and presented the surfers with their trophies.

Australian surfer/shaper Simon Anderson invented the Thruster design, which was met with skepticism initially, but after enhancements in 1981, he won the Bells Beach Classic and the Surfabout in Sydney, then later the Pipe Masters in Hawaii. Those victories brought the Thruster to everyone’s attention; from 1984 onward every world champion has used one.

Following the success of the second annual event Four Seasons and Tropicsurf have vowed to make the 2013 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy even bigger and better next year.

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LUX Tennis joins St. Regis Maldives Vommuli to expand active lifestyle programme

Published

1 day ago

February 11, 2026

m@ldives

St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has announced a partnership with LUX Tennis, strengthening the resort’s established tennis offering and introducing plans for a new padel court. The collaboration expands the resort’s active lifestyle programme, with a particular focus on families and multi-generational travel.

The St. Regis brand draws on the legacy of the Astor family, founders of the original St. Regis New York, whose Gilded Age lifestyle celebrated refined leisure and sporting pursuits. Tennis, in particular, became a symbol of elegance within the Astor social circle, reflecting a culture shaped by hospitality, recreation and sophistication. This heritage continues across the St. Regis portfolio today, where classic sports remain an integral part of the brand’s identity.

Set within the resort’s private island environment, the enhanced LUX Tennis programme is designed to elevate on-island tennis experiences for guests of all ages and skill levels. The programme features expert-led coaching, bespoke clinics and visiting residencies by internationally recognised professionals, offering guests opportunities to train, play and engage with elite talent in an accessible and inspiring setting.

Confirmed visiting professionals include Angelique Kerber, three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, who will visit from 29 to 31 March 2026, and Feliciano López, former Spanish champion with a career-high singles ranking of world number 12, scheduled from 16 to 17 May 2026.

The expanded tennis programme is designed to integrate seamlessly with island life, offering everything from relaxed family matches and junior-friendly coaching to more focused sessions for experienced players. Activities are structured to complement time spent at the beach, spa experiences and family dining.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort features 77 beachfront and overwater villas, each with a private pool, alongside facilities such as the John Jacob Astor Estate, the largest overwater three-bedroom villa in the Maldives. Guests also have access to the award-winning Iridium Spa, six dining venues and a private yacht available for charter, reinforcing the resort’s positioning as a destination for both leisure and active pursuits.

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort launches ‘Swim with Nurse Sharks’ experience

Published

3 days ago

February 9, 2026

m@ldives

Nestled in the pristine waters of the Raa Atoll, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort introduces Swim with Nurse Sharks, a new guided marine experience offering guests a rare opportunity to encounter these gentle creatures in their natural lagoon habitat.

Located just minutes from the island, the calm, shallow waters provide ideal conditions for observing nurse sharks at rest and in motion. The one-hour experience operates three times a week by speedboat and is designed for small groups, making it suitable for families and confident swimmers seeking a meaningful connection with the ocean.

Guided with care and respect for the environment, the experience reflects the resort’s ongoing commitment to marine awareness and responsible interaction with wildlife. Guests gain insight into the behaviour of nurse sharks while exploring one of the region’s few accessible snorkelling sites dedicated to this species.

Available at USD 95++ per person, with special rates for children under 12, Swim with Nurse Sharks adds a distinctive new chapter to the resort’s immersive ocean experiences.

For more information on “Swim with Nurse Sharks” at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, please visit the resort’s website.

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Avani+ Fares Maldives to host Michael Owen’s football camp for second year

Published

3 days ago

February 9, 2026

m@ldives

Michael Owen’s Football Camp is returning to Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort for a second year, running from 31 March to 3 April 2026 as part of the resort’s Easter holiday programme. Following a strong debut in 2025, the camp will once again see children and teens join the former England striker for hands-on coaching sessions on Fares Island in Baa Atoll.

Designed for kids and teens aged 5 to 13, the four-day camp combines daily training sessions, skills development and team challenges, led by Michael Owen. The programme ends on a high with a celebratory finale, with certificates, medals and jersey signings for every participant. The camp is complimentary for all guests staying at Avani+ Fares Maldives during the event, and each registered participant will receive an official Football Kit, including two sets of customised jerseys, shorts and socks.

Building on the strong response from families last year, the 2026 Football Camp sits within Avani+ Fares Maldives’ broader Easter line-up, pairing structured sports sessions with relaxed island time. Beyond the pitch, younger guests can dip in and out of island adventures at AvaniKids and the Teens Club, with creative arts and crafts and dedicated spaces designed around their age group. Mealtimes are part of the fun too, with Petit Bistro, the resort’s kids-only restaurant, created just for younger guests.

For families keen to get out on the water together, Avani+ Fares Maldives is set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, with snorkelling along the house reef right off the island and a full menu of water sports and dive experiences at this award-winning dive resort.

Commenting on the upcoming camp, Michael Owen said: “Coming back to Avani+ Fares Maldives feels like a natural next step after the energy and enthusiasm we saw at the first camp. It is a special environment for families and the camp is all about helping kids build confidence, develop their skills and most importantly enjoy the game together. I am really looking forward to being back on the island in 2026.”

Avani+ Fares Maldives is designed with families in mind, with a wide mix of accommodation styles to suit different group sizes and travel plans. Options range from interconnecting Pavilion rooms for easy togetherness, to Beach Pool Villas with outdoor space for daytime downtime, alongside over water villas set above the lagoon. For families travelling as a bigger group, the resort also offers spacious two and three bedroom Over Water Pool Residences, with generous living areas and room to spread out between activities.

Package rates start from USD 3,500 for a family of four, including accommodation, seaplane transfers and football camp registration. Based on two adults and two children sharing on a bed and breakfast basis, includes taxes and fees. To book, visit www.avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives, email fares@avanihotels.com or call  +960 660 1660.