The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy field has been selected for 2024, with the final three names joining an impressive field competing in the 12th edition of “the world’s most luxurious surfing event.” The annual invitational tournament, held at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, will see five-time World Champion Carissa Moore from Hawaii, Olympic medallist Owen Wright from Australia and Mikey February from South Africa join Frenchman Jeremy Flores, Brazil’s Jadson Andre and Ahmed “Amadei” Ajil from the Maldives in the field.
Jeremy Flores is arguably the greatest European surfer of all time. The 2007 WSL Rookie of the Year capped off an incredible 15-year Championship Tour career in 2021. Two Pipe Masters wins and a win at the Billabong Pro Tahiti are testament to his exceptional skill in the waves that matter. In 2019, Flores capped his career with a famous home victory at the Quiksilver Pro France, the first event he competed in as a teenage wildcard. Having grown up on the French island of Reunion, Flores is an island boy at heart and is excited to finally compete for the trophy he’s had his eye on ever since retiring from the Tour.
“I can’t wait to get to the Maldives for the Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy!” says Flores, who is currently coaching the French Olympic Team in Tahiti. “Are you kidding me? Surfing perfect waves and staying in paradise with my family? It’s a dream come true! I’ve been following this event for a long time and was hoping to be invited as it looks so much fun, and finally it’s happened. I’ve already started ordering my boards and am so excited to share the lineup with Carissa, Judson and the rest of the crew!”
Flores has ordered equipment specifically for the event due to one of the competition’s unique features: the multi-board format, which requires surfers to be proficient in multiple styles of surfing technique. After three rounds of competition consisting of single, twin and (thruster) tri-fin surfboard rounds, the top two competitors will battle it out in a single heat showdown for the Surfing Champion Trophy.
The man who could stop Flores from claiming the trophy is Judson Andre. Perhaps the most beloved Brazilian surfer on the planet, the 11-year veteran of the Championship Tour is known as much for his magnetic personality as for his illustrious competitive resume. In his rookie season in 2011, Andre won the Championship Tour at the Santa Catalina Pro in just his third event, beating Kelly Slater in the final. Over the next decade,
Adapting to every challenge thrown his way, especially in the fierce waves, Andre has built a fearsome reputation in Hawaii, Tahiti and Fiji and become beloved by fans all over the world. Naturally, when asked about competing in the Surfing Champions Trophy, it’s the friendships he’s made on the tour that Andre refers to.
“The last time I played in the Maldives was in 2009!” commented Andre. “Owen and I came close to making it to the finals and now, 15 years later, we’ll be competing together in the Maldives again. I’m really happy to be part of this amazing event and can’t wait to play and have fun with everyone again.”
Rounding out the extraordinary line-up for the Surfing Champions Trophy is local wildcard Ahmed “Amadei” Agil, who hails from Thulusdhoo Island and has achieved a long-held goal of becoming the number one surfer in the Maldives in 2022. A natural footer known for his tube riding prowess and crazy air game, “Amadei” is excited at the thought of taking on the Sultanate’s best waves.
“Competing in the Surfing Champions Trophy is a dream come true!”, says Amadei. “Many of my close friends have surfed the competition before and now I get the chance to fly the flag and show the world that Maldivian surfing continues to go from strength to strength.”
This year’s Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy will take place from 28 August to 5 September at the beautiful Four Seasons Resort Maldives in Kuda Huraa. Heat times are staggered by age, allowing the oldest surfers to stay in the water for longer than younger ones. With US$25,000 in prize money at stake in each division, as previous SCT participants will attest, this is truly an event where prestige and friendship are paramount.
“For 12 years, the Surfing Champions Trophy at Kuda Huraa has shone a spotlight on the Maldives’ perfect waves,” commented Didier Jardin, General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. “The event’s reputation now precedes us and it’s great to hear that surfing legends can’t wait to compete here. We’re thrilled to once again welcome an incredible line-up of can’t-miss talent. Now’s your chance for guests who want to rub shoulders with the kings of surfing – we only have a few rooms available at the resort during the contest.”
