News
Knox, Beachley and Carroll complete lineup for Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2013
Maldives.net.mv – The final three challengers in this year’s Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy have now been announced. Surfing legends Taylor Knox (USA), Layne Beachley (Australai) and Tom Carroll (Australia) will complete the illustrious line-up at the prestigious event, organized by Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa in conjunction with luxury surfing pioneers Tropicsurf.
News of Taylor Knox’s imminent arrival has sent a ripple of excitement around the island. Knox, aka “TK,” is an outright celebrity whose career skyrocketed in 1998 when he won the first K2 Big-Wave Challenge – dropping into a 52-foot mega wave at Todos Santos. Along with a respectable set of battle scars, surfing’s “Mr. Nice Guy” has notched up an impressive 19 years on the ASP World Tour. The new school trailblazer is highly revered not just for his progressive fins-free demos but also for his incredibly deep and powerful turns – his trademark power-surfing style earning him a global fan base equalled only by the likes of teammate Kelly Slater.
Leaving retirement to contend for the Surfing Champions title, Knox reveals he is “honoured” to be competing with his “peers and heroes.” He adds, “No doubt this will be a Four Seasons experience of a lifetime. The Maldives is somewhere I have always wanted to visit.” He will travel to Kuda Huraa with his wife Ann-Marie.
Returning to Kuda Huraa for the second time, Layne Beachley is one of Australia’s most influential athletes. Beachley, who competed in 2011’s Surfing Champions Trophy, turned pro at the tender age of 16, rising to sixth in the world by age 20. Being the only woman in this year’s line-up will scarcely daunt this surfing icon who is well accustomed to breaking down barriers. She is the only woman to win seven ASP world champion titles, a staggering record that arguably defines her as the greatest female surfer in history. Renowned for riding the biggest waves, Beachley continues to inspire generations of sportswomen worldwide with her unparalleled strength and style.
Commenting on her impending revisit to Kuda Huraa with her partner, INXS musician Kirk Pengilly, Beachley revealed their excitement extends way beyond the quality surf breaks: “The Resort, the incredible food and the friendly staff make Kuda Huraa one of our favourite holiday destinations.”
True “surfer’s surfer” Tom Carroll concludes the line-up for this year’s event. Carroll blasted onto the amateur stage in the 70s, winning the New South Wales Pro Juniors in 1977 and 1980. Such coveted victories ensured his rapid ascendancy, with his powerful “goofy-footing” manoeuvres bagging him two historic ASP world champion titles in 1983 and 1984. He later conquered the notorious Banzai Pipeline to seize Pipe Masters’ crowns in 1987, 1990 and 1991. Signing of a mega deal with sponsors Quiksilver in 1989 meant Carroll made history again – becoming the first-ever surfing millionaire. The legendary “storm surfer” lives to chase the largest most demanding waves – a daring quest that has been captured in the epic documentary Storm Surfers 3D, in which he stars.
Carroll admits the Surfing Champions competition will provide “a chance to put my surfing to the test against my peers and, possibly, win some kudos and money.”
Running for the third successive year, Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2013 will pit six ex-world champions in a USD 25,000 showdown across three surfboard divisions: single-fin, twin-fin and triple-fin. Knox, Beachley and Carroll join defending champion Damien Hardman (Australia), Tom Curren (USA), and Pedro Henrique (Brazil) to complete an all-star roster in what’s set to be the summer’s hottest action on Maldivian waters.
Running from August 26 to September 2, 2013, the event is hosted aboard Four Seasons Explorer – the Maldives’ ultimate surf vessel – and will once more simultaneously feature Four Seasons Maldives Domestic Champions Trophy: a thrilling display of local talent that last year saw Hussain Areef, the country’s reigning national champion, scoop MVR 25,000.
Guests of Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa can catch all the action with day passes aboard Four Seasons Explorer or book the all-inclusive Group Surf & Stay (available from August 26 to September 2 for a minimum booking of five rooms or more for seven nights). In addition to competition day passes, full board and transfers, Group Surf & Stay includes seven days of intense surfing with Tropicsurf’s expert guides, plus the chance to rub shoulders with all the Surfing Champions contestants in Kuda Huraa’s award-winning surrounds.
Cooking
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa introduces Secret Garden private dining concept
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa presents a new chapter in destination dining with the launch of its Secret Garden concept, a thoughtfully designed experience that brings guests into a secluded setting surrounded by nature, soft lighting, and carefully curated details.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the island, Secret Garden is created for those moments that deserve more than a traditional dinner. The space is styled with flowing drapes, warm candlelight, and natural greenery, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere that feels both personal and special. It is a setting that invites guests to slow down, connect, and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
At the centre of the experience is a seven-course menu, crafted to guide guests through a balanced journey of flavours. Each course is presented with care, with live cooking moments adding a sense of theatre and interaction throughout the evening. The service remains attentive yet discreet, allowing the experience to feel seamless and uninterrupted.
Guests can choose between two tailored offerings. The Romantic Escape focuses on the dining experience itself, complemented by a beautifully arranged setup and personalised service. For those looking to extend the evening, the Ultimate Romance Experience adds thoughtful touches such as a welcome glass of champagne, a private cinema moment under the open sky, in-villa breakfast the next day, and special bed decoration to complete the occasion.
The concept also allows for additional customisation, from floral arrangements to bespoke messages and decorative details, giving guests the flexibility to shape the evening around their celebration, whether it is a birthday, proposal, or simply a meaningful time together.
With Secret Garden, Kuredhivaru continues to expand its dining experiences beyond traditional venues, offering guests something more personal and immersive. It reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, where every detail is considered, and each experience is designed to feel natural, effortless, and quietly memorable.
For any reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 6563000.
Cooking
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch
Modern travellers increasingly view a destination as a collection of flavours to be explored, often reserving their dining experiences at the same moment they book their stay to ensure a true sense of discovery.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has embraced this trend, aligning its “Premium Island Experience” with exclusive chef residencies that transform an island stay into a sophisticated, curated sensory adventure. This approach reflects the resort’s core philosophy in reimagining the guest experience in its 15 dining venues and bars.

Central to this refined vision, the resort’s Easter programme debuted with a bespoke four-course residency masterminded by Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch. Collaborating closely with Executive Chef Putu Wijana and Beverage Manager & Sommelier Sunil Kumar, Pietsch ensured every ingredient achieved a sensual harmony with its chosen vintage pairing—a true study in the art of culinary chemistry.

The residency was hosted at Islander’s Grill, the resort’s beachfront destination, where the “Land & Sea” menu showcased technical precision through signatures such as Hand-Cut Beef Tartare finished with a silken yolk and garden botanicals; Lightly Cured Cod jewelled with Beluga Caviar; and a succulent Beef Cheek with Seared Foie Gras and winter truffle.
The experience concluded with a Topfen Dumpling accented by papaya, yogurt, and almond. The menu featured curated pairings, including French Champagne and a selection of prestigious French and Italian wines.

“We strive for a synergy between Michelin-standard precision and the evocative pulse of local and regional provenance. This marriage of world-class craft enables us to elevate our flavour profile, establishing a new lineage of bespoke dishes that honour our heritage while setting a sophisticated benchmark for the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi dining experience,” highlighted Abdulla Atham, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort Manager.
News
The Standard Maldives targets Chinese market with new all-inclusive programme
The Standard, Maldives, part of the globally respected Hyatt portfolio, has announced an elevated lifestyle-led luxury retreat tailored for Chinese travellers in search of a truly memorable Maldives escape. By harmoniously combining Hyatt’s world-class hospitality standards with The Standard’s dynamic and social lifestyle ethos, the resort introduces a new benchmark for premium island living in the Indian Ocean.
Reached via a scenic seaplane journey from Velana International Airport in Male’, The Standard, Maldives features 115 beautifully designed villas, set either overwater or along the beachfront. Each villa includes a private plunge pool and lounge deck, offering generous space and privacy for families or groups of up to ‘2 adults + 2 children’. Designed to complement the Maldives’ natural surroundings, these stylish accommodations provide direct access to clear lagoons or untouched beaches, ideal for relaxation, play, and exploration.
Enhancing the overall stay, The Standard has recently elevated its Food & Beverage offerings and introduced a Premium All-Inclusive programme, allowing guests to enjoy unlimited access to curated dining, signature cocktails, and bold flavours across its lively culinary venues. From casual beachfront BBQs to all-day dining and sunset bars, indulgence is effortless and uninterrupted throughout the stay.
With the preferences of Chinese guests in mind, the resort offers Mandarin-speaking hosts and personalised services, ensuring seamless communication and thoughtfully tailored hospitality from arrival to departure. Feedback from Chinese visitors consistently praises the warm, attentive service, with particular appreciation for Chinese-speaking hosts who make each experience smooth, welcoming, and stress-free.
Completing the island experience, The Standard, Maldives offers a thoughtfully curated selection of excursions that invite guests to explore both the natural wonders and cultural heritage of the Maldives. From traditional sunset fishing and guided manta ray and sea turtle expeditions in the surrounding atoll waters, to world-class scuba diving across vibrant coral reefs, each experience is designed to connect guests with the beauty of the Indian Ocean. For those seeking cultural discovery, the resort also organises visits to nearby heritage islands such as Kendhoo Island, an 800-year-old living community where guests can gain rare insight into Maldivian traditions, craftsmanship, and local way of life. These immersive experiences add depth and meaning to every stay, creating unforgettable memories beyond the shoreline.
Blending Hyatt’s trusted service excellence, The Standard’s lifestyle-driven spirit, premium all-inclusive offerings, and villa designs created with family comfort in mind, The Standard, Maldives stands out as a leading choice for Chinese travellers seeking a Maldivian holiday that is luxurious, playful, and genuinely distinctive.
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