Kuda Huraa Maldives, June 15, 2016 – Momentum is building for the world’s most luxurious surfing contest, the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy with the first two contestants of the 2016 event being announced. South Africa’s Travis Logie (ZAF) and Pipeline specialist Jamie O’Brien (USA) will join the 2015 event champion Shane Dorian (USA) in the pristine waves on offer in the Maldives.
Event co-ordinator, Mark Winson of Tropicsurf is excited with the first two fresh competitors that have been announced and believes this well-rounded draw could lead to one of the most exciting events yet. “With a freesurfer, an all-rounder and a big wave slayer announced so far, we’re already in for an epic battle this August,” Winson said. “We still have three contestants yet to be announced so I think the 2016 instalment of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy is going to be one to watch.”
WSL deputy Commissioner Travis Logie (ZAF) will put the competitive jersey on for the first time since he retired from the WSL Championship Tour (CT) at the end of the 2014 season. Logie, who won the 2002 ISA World Surfing Games for his beloved South Africa has been a fan of the Champions Trophy Event for several years and is stoked he’ll be able to mix it with the rest of the field in paradise.
“Shauna (Logie’s Wife) and I are so excited to be invited to this event at the Four Seasons,” Logie said. “I've followed the Champions Trophy online for years and can't wait to get amongst those perfect Maldivian waves myself. Hopefully I can give Shane and Jamie some stiff competition in the line-up too."
Apart from being the youngest surfer to ever take out the most iconic event in surfing in 2004, the Pipe Masters, Jamie O’Brien is best known for his progressive free surfing. Whether it’s taking the biggest beasts at his beloved Pipe or throwing his fins to the wind a Rocky’s, there is a reason this North Shore local is one of the biggest names in the sport. One of O’Brien’s best attributes is his ability to have fun no matter what, which will see him fit in perfectly at the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy event.
"I can't wait to surf in the Champions Trophy with Shane and Travis,” O’Brien said. “This event looks like everyone is always enjoying themselves and that's what life is about."
Winning the Four Season Surfing Champions Trophy means earning the honour of returning to the event the following year. Returning this year is 2015 Champion and big wave hell-man Shane Dorian.
“Lisa and I can't wait to return to the Maldives
to enjoy the chilled out vibe of the Champions Trophy.
It's such a unique concept with fun waves and great company
and definitely one of the highlights of our year."
About The Event. Unique in many ways, the Surfing Champions Trophy determines heat times based on age and tests skill across three divisions: single-fin, twin-fin, and thruster. Places are granted by invitation-only to six world champions in a battle for inner-circle kudos and a US$25,000 prize pot.
The event is hosted aboard Four Seasons Explorer – the Maldives’ ultimate surf vessel. Fans can get up close to the action with onboard VIP passes, while the ‘surf tour’ experience continues with shoulder-rubbing events back at Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa, which plays host to the contest’s competitors, judges and Tropicsurf partners (the pros behind Kuda Huraa’s surf operation.)
Air Asia Partnership. The Surfing Champions Trophy 2016 has also recently secured Air Asia as its official airline partner. Air Asia is the accessible airline of choice for surfers to the surf hubs of Indonesia, Australia and the Maldives. A pioneer in its field and always tenacious in its endeavours, Air Asia has long supported high profile and international sports events and teams. With 100 routes across 22 countries in Asia, Australia and the Middle East, it is ideally placed to unite travellers with fixtures, events and cultures around the globe – no matter how remote.
For a piece of the action, book the ‘Group Surf & Stay’ package, available for a minimum booking of five rooms at Kuda Huraa, between 8-14 August, 2016, including:
- All-inclusive 5 or 7 nights’ accommodation (full board)
- Competition day passes aboard Four Seasons Explorer
- 5 or 7 days of intense surfing with Tropicsurf expert guides
- Return transfers
For more information visit: fourseasons.com/maldives. Limited day passes will be available (at a fee) for non-package guests and members of the public wishing to view the event from Four Seasons Explorer. Call + 960 66 00 888 for enquiries and rates.
For media enquiries or high-resolution image requests, please contact:
Juliana Ang
Director of Public Relations
Four Seasons Resorts Maldives
Four Seasons Explorer
Tel: (65) 6514 8281
Fax: (65) 6835 9839
Email: Juliana.ang@fourseasons.com
Web: www.fourseasons.com/maldives
Twitter: http://twitter.com/FSMaldives
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