With just three weeks to go until the Indian Oceans hottest surf invitational, the news is out that surfing legends Joel Parkinson (AUS), Kai Lenny (HAW), Wiggolly Dantas (BRZ), Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and Maldivian wildcard Mohamed Fayaz are booked to take on defending champion Josh Kerr (AUS) in the worlds most luxurious annual surfing contest: Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy held at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.
Bringing a promising mix of style, creativity and big wave prowess, the new announcements are set to seriously ramp up the competition at the epic one-of-a-kind event, which tests some of the worlds hottest surfing names, past and present, across three different divisions: single-fin, twin-fin, and triple-fin thruster.
Event co-ordinator Mark Winson of Tropicsurf comments, "Were extremely excited about the assemblage of surfers in this years event. With such a diverse and talented field competing, you can be sure that there will be some amazing surfing taking place. Were in for a real treat."
Introducing
Parkinson, Lenny, Dantas, Wilkinson and Fayaz:
Joel Parkinson
(AUS)
"Parko"
grew up surfing on Queenslands Gold Coast. At just 18 years old, Parko stunned
the surfing world by winning his first World Tour event as a wildcard, which
set the scene for a remarkable career. During his nearly two-decade ride,
he racked up 12 World Tour event wins and a host of major milestones
including: four runner-up finishes on the World Tour (2002, 2004, 2009
and 2011); the ASP World Title in 2012; and a perfect heat at the Oakley Bali
Pro in 2013, skillfully pairing two perfect 10 rides. More than that, hes
a fun, laid back lovable guy, and one of the sports most stylish and naturally
gifted surfers, blending power with grace and finesse.
Parkinson
shares, "Surfing at an event like the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions
Trophy is an opportunity I could not pass up on given my love for the Maldives
and having fun. The Maldives is one of my favourite surf spots in the world and
as a holiday destination it doesnt get more amazing for a surfer and his
family. Now my kids are older we are making this contest into a family project
and I am coming to win the Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy to show them
Dad can still mix it with the best of them."
Kai Lenny (HAW)
Happiest on a
wave and true to his name, which means "ocean" Kai Lenny grew up
on Mauis northern shore, riding all manner of boards: kite-boards, windsurfs,
stand-up paddle-boards and, of course, surf boards, riding his first wave aged
four. Undeniably one of the worlds greatest water-men, at 26 year old Kai
is pushing the boundaries of big wave surfing, recently being awarded Mens
Best Overall Performance and Mens XXL Biggest Wave at the World Surf League
Big Wave Awards. Lennys talents, however, arent confined to big wave
surfing, with the young Hawaiian being an accomplished short boarder wholl be
looking to showcase his full repertoire on the speedy walls of Sultans.
Wiggolly Dantas
(BRZ)
A goofy footed,
big waver lover from Ubatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Dantas surfing initiation
happened at the tender age of three when his brother would repeatedly push him
into their local breaks (their mum owned a shop on the beach, so the sand and
waves were their playground). It wasnt long before he was taking his brothers
board when he wasnt using it. He first competed at the age of six and has been
gunning to be the best surfer in the world ever since, joining the World
Surfing League in 2015. Hugely respected in the sport and known for his humble
yet fiercely competitive nature, watch out for Wiggollys powerful rail game,
lightning fast reflexes and critical backhand attack.
Matt Wilkinson
(AUS)
One of the
worlds most free-spirited surfers, Australian goofy footer Wilko finished in
the top five of the Championship Tour in 2016 and 2017, transforming from offbeat
party boy to title contender. Raised near Avoca Beach, New South Wales, he
spent his formative years catching breaks on Copacabana Beach and traversing
the coast with his dad in their van, participating in surfing contests. A savvy
competitor from a young age, he joined the CT in 2010 and quickly established
his position within the upper echelon of surfing, taking the surf world by
storm with epic back-to-back victories at the start of the 2016 season (and the
legendary bar tab that followed at Bells!). The life of the party on and off
the waves, Wilko will bring a unique splash of creativity to this years event.
Wilko comments:
"I'm so excited to experience the luxury of Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa
while surfing an event with an emphasis on fun. It's rare to be able to enjoy
such amazing waves without too much pressure and to be able to bring some of
the historic surfboard shapes back to life."
Mohamed Fayaz
(MV)
Hailing from
the Maldives capital city Malé, Pelé (as locals affectionately know him) grew
up surfing nearby Raalhugandu. Rookie of the Tournament in his very first
contest which took place in China, far from his familiar home surf Pelé
went on to compete in multiple WSL QS competitions held in the Maldives from
2001 to 2005, securing the national title in 2003. A bad knee injury in
2007 temporarily sidelined this regular footer, who made a comeback in 2014 and
spends his spare time working for a nationwide surf development program.
As a local surf guide, no one knows the home swells better than
Pelé. Keep an eye out for his impressive rail work, surfing with a
beautiful floor.
The
Surfing Champions Trophy 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 nightly
cocktail events back at Kuda Huraa, which plays host to the contests
competitors, judges and Tropicsurf partners (the pros behind the Resorts surf
operation).
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