Carissa Moore, Taj Burrow, Mikey February, Jeremy Flores To Headline World’s Bougiest Surf Event

Alumni of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Championship (FSMSC) includes the likes of Knoxes, Dorians, Irons, Kerrs, Rastovichs, Hos, Coffins, Machados, Parkinsons and Slaters, and more. In other words, if you haven’t rock n rolled surf culture, you don’t get to [expletive] come.

This year the FSMSC is running from August 29 to September 5 in the luxurious Kuda Huraa resort in the Maldivian atolls. Yes, just like The White Lotus, but instead of rich people backstabbing each other in a Maui villa, we’ve got world-class surfers battling it out at Sultans for a pretty penny – $25K USD to be precise. 

And this year’s forecast might just be the best yet for the perfect peeling right hander, which only breaks a hop and a skip (across panadus palm, albino-white beach) from the dining area.

Headlining this year’s cast is Olympic gold medallist + five-time world champ Carissa Moore, Euro GOAT Jérémy Florès, South African style king Mikey February and perennial mid-year cut escape artist, Jadson Andre. 

However the plot has thickened with the latest additions: local wildcard Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil – a native natural footer renowned for his tube riding prowess and crazy air game.

And last but certainly not least, Taj Burrow – the beloved 12x CT-winning West Australian who took Owen Wright’s spot after a last-minute injury. TB has won the event twice previously and is back in razor-sharp form after a recent trip to Mandiri.

Yep, quite the mixed bag, rich in exchangeable goods! 

The Champions Trophy is all about versatility, with a multi-board format that includes single fins, twin fins, and thrusters. 

In previous iterations we’ve typically seen pros bring three near-identical sleds with different fin setups. Will someone finally break the mold and bring some more traditional single/twins/thrusters? 

“I’ve been eyeing this event since I left the tour,” says Pipe Master Florès, who just recently coached Kauli Vaast to victory in French Polynesia. “Surfing perfect waves in paradise with my family—are you kidding? This is the dream. I’ve already started ordering my boards. Can’t wait to share the lineup with Carissa, Jadson, and the crew.”

Last year Stab’s on the ground correspondent reported the Four Seasons + Tropic Surf experience was, ‘Deluxe, with no desire left unsatisfied. Simply put, you are immersed in hospitality, top to tail.” Before issuing competitors a cautionary message about showing discipline with regards to the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, with cuisine from every corner of the globe. Adding, “The staff from Tropicsurf and Four Season Huda Kuraa are pure pros: polite, tanned, cleanly shaven and they all rip. I’m looking for a White Lotus event, but doubtful it will come to fruition unless things really open up at the pool bar. Here’s hoping.”