This Is The World’s Most Luxurious Surf Event

A surf contest in the Maldives isn’t a hard sell. An all-expense paid surf contest in the Maldives hosted by the Four Seasons featuring only six competitors is an easier sell. That’s exactly how it came to be that Shane Dorian, Rob Machado, Taj Burrow, Jamie O’Brien, Travis Logie and Bethany Hamilton will all end up on the tiny speck of sand known as Kuda Huraa this August.

Every year luxe surf travel co, TropicSurf and the Four Seasons conspire to throw one of the more interesting contests at the wonderful right-hander known as Sultan’s in the Maldives North Atoll. The concept is simple, pamper the surf stars as if they were rock stars. Lavish them with five-star dining, massages and lounge time on the $100,000-per-week catamaran Four Seasons Explorer. And when the waves get good everyone heads out and surfs a few heats.

The catch is that each round the surfers take to different craft: round one is on a single-fin, round two features the twinnies, and round three is for thrusters. Points are awarded after every round with a $25,000 prize purse.

“I’ve always been a massive fan of this event,” said Rob. “Having the three different board types in one event is a really cool concept. It just sounds like an amazing event in an amazing location.”

Taj is retired from the tour and onto more pleasurable contest endeavors. Photo: WSL

Last year Shane Dorian took the title, but it’s not going to be 30-foot and he has his hands full this time around. The defending champ gets invited back the following year–there’s plenty of motivation to take things serious.

“There was no way I could knock this one back. The crew surfing in it this year is unreal,” said Taj.

The cast at this event is always star-filled. Previous invitees include: Tom Curren, Tom Carroll, Martin Potter, Dave Rastovich and Taylor Knox. Adding a twist to this year’s incarnation of the contest, TropicSurf has made the long overdue decision to allow a local wildcard into the contest. Hussain “Iboo” Areef, the reigning Domestic Champions Trophy winner and successful Maldives Open campaigner, will have the unenviable task of going up against some serious firepower.

“I am honoured to have this opportunity to surf in the Four Seasons Champions Trophy this year,” says Areef. “I am so stoked to be able to surf with my heroes.”

The Four Seasons Champions Trophy runs from August 8-14.