FOUR SEASONS MALDIVES SURFING CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2015

Surfers, clear your calendars. The first three competitors for the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2015, the world’s most luxurious surfing event scheduled for August 3rd to 9th, have been announced. Headlining for the fifth consecutive year, freesurfer Dave "Rasta" Rastovich returns to defend his 2014 title. He is joined by the legend of the big waves, the intrepid Shane Dorian and the record-setting "surf goddess" Sofia Mulanovich. Three other world champions are yet to be announced.

This invitation-only event is organized in collaboration with luxury surf pioneers Tropicsurf (pros behind the Kuda Huraa courses and surf tours) and run from the 39 meters (128 feet) Four Seasons Explorer. Mark Winson, event coordinator for Tropicsurf, says: "Every year, I see the Champions Trophy concept rise to a higher level. With this reputation of perfect waves and the promise of high-level surfing, the elite of the surfing world comes banging on our door to be amongst one of six contenders."

The SCT is unique in many ways, from determining a surfer's heat based on their age to a test of skill across three different divisions: single-fin, twin-fin, and triple-fin thruster. This year Rastovich and his challengers Dorian and Mulanovich, amongst others, are competing for a USD 25,000 prize money.

Surf enthusiasts can book an all inclusive "Group Surf & Stay" (available from August 3rd to 9th, 2015 for a minimum booking of four rooms for five to seven nights). In addition to day packages for the competition, full board and transfers, the "Group Surf & Stay" includes five or seven days of intense surfing with professional guides from Tropicsurf and the chance to meet all the participants of the competition.

Dave "Rasta" Rastovich (AUS)(Omni)Present on the oceans as a "nipper" (young Australian lifeguard), Rasta has been surfing on a wave of victories for a while: he won the U / 16 World Grommet in Bali; the Pro Junior Burleigh Heads and the finals of the Billabong World Junior Championships. He has earned recognition as the first pro freesurfer in the world; winning the open class Molokai to Oahu Hawaiian inter-island paddle race and by setting up "Surfers for Cetaceans", dedicated to the conservation and protection of the marine life he shares oceans with. 

Speaking on his return to defend his 2014 SCT title Rasta said, "This is a surfing event that ensures everyone has a good time. We all progress our surfing together, go diving, enjoy amazing food and drinks, and get to retreat to luxury at the end of every surf and sun soaked day. I can’t believe I get to re-live the dream of being in this event again this year."

Shane Dorian (HAW)One of the best big wave surfers in the world, Dorian is from Kona, Hawaii. He started surfing at the age of five, turned pro at 17 and has since progressed in the world rankings before reaching the peak of his career, # 4, in 2000. Elaborating his own surfing style - chin up, down-turned hands and splayed fingers - Dorian was considered one of the best all-rounders when he retired from the tour in 2003. Far from quitting surfing the intrepid tuberider shifted his focus to big-wave surfing, winning six "Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards" between 2005 and 2013 and achieving the ultimate kudos for the near-impossible: setting a world record in 2011 by surfing a wave 57 feet high at "Jaws", in Maui.

" I can’t wait to get back to the Maldives,” Shane says. “I love it there and am excited to enjoy a week atFour Seasons with my wife Lisa. The chance to score some waves with five other invitees will be awesome!"

Sofia Mulanovich (PER)First Peruvian surfer to win an "Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour" event ; first South American to win a world title; First South American surfer to be inducted into the surfer’s Hall of Fame ; and the first surfer to defeat Layne Beachley from her six year dominance of the sport - Sofia Mulanovich is an elite surfer. Since surfing is a sport traditionally dominated by men in Peru, Sofia grew up competiting against boys. She entered her first pro contest at the age of 13. Beautiful with blue eye and a hard-charging style, she will surely give this year’s SCT competitors a real run up for their money.

Speaking about her place in the competition, Sofia said, "I have always wanted to go to the Maldives. I imagine it’s just like being in paradise. I'm super excited that I now have the opportunity to surf there and stay at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa. It's a dream come true - I can’t wait! "

Surf & Stay Package Group Surf fans can book the all inclusive "Group Surf & Stay" (available from August 3rd to 9th, 2015 for a minimum booking of four rooms for five to seven nights). In addition to day packages for the competition, full board and transfers, "Group Surf & Stay" includes five or seven days of intense surfing with Tropicsurf’s expert guides and the chance to meet all the participants of Surfing Champions in the award-winning surroundings of Kuda Huraa.

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