The Indian Ocean would not want a lot convincing to placed on a present. However each September it outdoes itself for every week. On the 4 Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the Browsing Champions Trophy is confirmed to return to the legendary Sultans vacation from September 4 to 11, 2026, bringing with it the promise of world-class browsing, sun-soaked evenings and the type of entry that does not exist wherever else on earth.
Now in its 14th version, the Browsing Champions Trophy is among the sport’s most particular occasions: an invitation-only gathering of the very best surfers, competing in three board disciplines (single fin, twin fin and Thruster) on one of many Maldives’ famend reef breaks, with 4 Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa because the backyard island base for rivals, judges and company alike.
The 2026 line-up shall be introduced in phases within the coming months. Now’s the time to take a look at the horizon.
The place browsing royalty come to compete
The primary 4 Seasons Maldives Browsing Champions Trophy was dropped at life in 2011 and reinterpreted the way in which browsing occasions are organized. Since then, Sultans has organized a roll name of browsing royalty that reads like an induction ceremony into the Corridor of Fame.
The primary occasion noticed Mark Occhilupo win all three divisions earlier than beating world longboard champion Josh Constable within the Grand Champions Closing, and the extent has by no means dropped since. The champions that adopted are a who’s who of browsing’s most adorned names: Damien Hardman in 2012, Taylor Knox in 2013, Dave “Rasta” Rastovich in 2014 and Shane Dorian in 2015, Taj Burrow in each 2016 and 2017, Josh Kerr back-to-back in 2018 and 2019, Kelly Slater in 2022, Joel Parkinson in 2023 and Taj Burrow once more in 2024, claiming a outstanding third title total.
From the beginning, the occasion attracted the who’s who of browsing to the shores of Kuda Huraa. Throughout 13 editions, the sector included five-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore, massive wave pioneer Maya Gabeira, browsing legends Tom Curren, Rob Machado and Layne Beachley, inspirational icon Bethany Hamilton and stylists Mikey February, Jeremy Flores and Jadson Andre, to call a couple of. Every year brings a special solid with a persistently excessive stage of competitors.
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2025: the yr ‘The Spartan’ refused to cease
If the 2026 version is to rival the 2025 occasion, one thing particular shall be wanted. Tahitian powerhouse Michel Bourez defied harm to assert victory on the 2025 Browsing Championship Trophy, beautiful spectators by successful each the thrust division and the grand closing simply 24 hours after tearing his hamstring within the twin fin division. He scored the occasion’s solely good 10 within the closing minute of the grand closing, a second that has but to be surpassed.
Australian Olympian Owen Wright, Jesse Mendes of Brazil, freesurfing pioneer Craig Anderson and Maldivian wildcard Ismail ‘Smiley’ Rasheed accomplished a discipline that produced one of the memorable editions within the trophy’s historical past.
The Surf’s Up Bundle: For many who wish to get in on the motion
Watching legends surf is one factor. Browsing subsequent to them is one thing fully completely different. The Surf’s Up package deal at 4 Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa gives 4 days of knowledgeable teaching with Tropicsurf professionals, guided boat journeys to legendary breaks, each day yoga, a post-surf therapeutic massage at ŪRJĀ Naturopathy Island, round-trip speedboat transfers, each day breakfast and surf gear, whether or not company are studying to surf or perfecting their method.
The 4 Seasons Cocktail Events are a spotlight of the week and are hosted all around the island in lovely places with personal cooks, specialty cocktails and everybody dressed to impress. The proper backdrop to unwind, recap the day’s waves and chat with the professionals. Visitors have been recognized to face subsequent to the morning’s grand finalist discussing the location of the fins over a negroni.
The 2026 participant line-up shall be revealed within the coming months. Contributors shall be confirmed in phases and updates shall be shared through surfchampionstrofy.com and 4 Seasons Resort Maldives on the Kuda Huraa channels.
To e book a keep throughout the 4 Seasons Maldives Browsing Champions Trophy 2026 and inquire concerning the Surf’s Up package deal, [email protected] or name +960 66 00 888.