The Momentum Generation’s Maldivian Scrap Starts Tomorrow

Better than Benji’s Pipe pad.

If the Momentum Generation was an empire, Benji Weatherley’s Pipe house was its citadel. The site of much mischief and the hub where the 90’s most influential surfers slapped up, slept and stashed blades while teeth-cutting on the North Shore. 

Currently, five of the most prominent surfers from the Momentum Generation are in the atolls for the 2022 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy: Kelly Slater, Shane Dorian, Ross Williams, Rob Machado, Taylor Knox and local wildcard Hussain “Iboo” Areef will be competing across multiple surfing disciplines – single-fin, twin-fin and thruster for the chance of winning $25,000 over the next seven days in the panadus palm, albino-white-berm furnished Maldives. 

In previous years, we have seen the likes of Taj Burrow, Dave Rastavich, Joel Parkinson, Josh Kerr, Kai Lenny, Bruce Irons and more grace the lineup of ‘Sultans’, the perfect peeling right hander with plenty of poke only a short skip away from the dining area at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa. However, this year is arguably the most influential pack of surfers ever assembled in the atolls, and the one thing they all have in common (other than being pro surfers) is that they all curled up on a sandy patch of floor at Benji’s house after getting hosed at the Banzai some three decades ago. 

This means two things, 1.) The dinnertime stories and slander will be all time, 2.) The emperor-sized cloud lounges they’re twinkling their toes in at their above-water bungalows will be warmly welcomed. Interesting to wander is whether thirty years after its inception, free from all normal commitments except for riding waves on different craft, these gents will restoke their competitive flames. Are the Kelly-Rob, Shane-Ross rivalries buried irreversibly?

Can $25K unearth some bad blood?

Kelly arrived just yesterday after his semi-finals finish at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro. “This is my first time to the Maldives and I’m excited to be surfing with my best buddies that I also grew up competing with,” said Jimmy Slade. “We’ve been trying to make this trip happen for years and it’s nice for everyone to be here with their partners for a relaxing week.”

Didn’t think there was a corner of the earth the GOAT hadn’t grazed. What a pleasant first date.

Here’s how the contest works

• Format: Three days of competition total. 
• Divisions: Single, twin and thruster.
• How to watch: There will be NO LIVE STREAM, just daily videos/editorial recapping what went down

Report from the ground

‘Deluxe and no desire left unmet. Simply put, you are immersed in hospitality, top to tail. Side note: whichever surfer ever shows some discipline when indulging in the extensive (every nations traditional breakfast in covered, including Poland) breakfast buffet will give them a slight edge. It’s a bonanza of temptation. 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.’ 

We’ll keep you posted.