2011 News

OCCHILUPO CLEAN SWEEPS FOUR FINALS IN THE MALDIVES: President Mohamed Nasheed Watches Final Onboard the Four Seasons Explorer

Sultans, Kuda Huraa, Maldives, September 4th, 2011: 1999 World Champion Mark Occhiupo, 45, won the inaugural Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy today after a sensational week of serious surfing from six generational world champions.  It was a clean sweep for ‘Occy’ who won all three divisions of Single Fin, Twin Fin and Thrusters, before defeating world longboard champion Josh Constable (Noosa, Qld, Aus), 30, in the Grand Champions Final to take home $19,000 of the $25000 on offer.

The inaugural Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy will be finalized today in solid four-foot waves at Sultans Point. A new south-west groundswell has arrived in perfect time for the Thruster Division and the Grand Champion Final.

OCCHILUPO CLAIMS TWO FROM TWO with a TWIN FIN WIN. President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed to Attend Tomorrow's Final Day. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa Named World’s No.1 Resort. Sultans, Kuda Huraa, Maldives, September 3rd, 2011: 1999 world champion Mark Occhilupo (Tweed Heads, NSW, AUS) defeated an all-star field to claim consecutive wins in the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy by taking out the Twin Fin division staged in 4ft waves at Sultans Point, Maldives today. The 45 year-old, who also won the events Single Fin division, today defeated world long board champion Josh Constable (Noosa, Qld, AUS), 30, to take his second victory within a week after a five-year hiatus from the winner’s dais.

Kuda Huraa, Maldives, September 3rd, 2011: An overnight increase in swell in the Maldives will see the Twin Fin division of the Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy staged in 4ft waves at Sultan’s Point today.

Kuda Huraa, Maldives, September 2nd, 2011: Tropicsurf organisers have called a second consecutive lay-day at the Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy in the Maldives. A new swell predicted for tomorrow will see competition will recommence Saturday morning with the Twin Fin Division.  Followed on Sunday by the Thruster Division and the Champions Trophy.

At 8:00am Contest Director Ross Phillips greets an attentive pack of surfers, officials and journalists. "Let's kick back and relax today" he says. Breakfast continues on the sandy shores of the glistening Indian Ocean as attention turns to Coastalwatch Editor Ben Ey's account of the day that was. No one's game to eat another croissant. Read on for his behind the scenes report of Day 2.....

MARK ‘OCCY’ OCCHILUPO wins FOUR SEASONS SURFING CHAMPIONS TROPHY SINGLE FIN DIVISION in the MALDIVES.

Kuda Huraa, Maldives, August 31, 2011: Former world surfing champion Mark Occhilupo  (Gold Coast, Aus) defeated Layne Beachley (Manly, Aus) to win the Single Fin division of the Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy in off-shore, one metre (2 -4ft) waves at Sultan’s Point, Maldives today.

Six of the world’s most iconic surfers - who have all shaped the sport to what it is today - made the most of the idyllic conditions on Kuda Huraa in the Maldives as they prepared for inaugural Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy......

Occy was just 17 when he shot to the top of the ASP ratings, setting performance standards that remain unbeaten to this day. After just four years, he sensationally dropped out, only to stage one of the sport’s most inspirational comebacks with a sparkling return to competitive form some seven years later. In 1999, he seized the long-awaited world title, continuing on tour for a further seven years to amass a record-breaking 25-year pro surfing career.

Kuda Huraa, Maldives – August 2011 - World and Australasian Longboard champion Josh Constable (Aus) is the latest big name surfer to sign on for the inaugural Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy (www.surfingchampionstrophy.com) hosted by Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa from August 29 to September 5, 2011.

The 27 year-old surfing phenomenon will be swapping his trademark longboard for a shortboard when he joins the elite field of six invited world champions to the exclusive five star Maldivian resort to go head to head across three divisions for a USD$25,000 prize.

Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy. Surfing Goes Five Star and Beyond. August 29 - September 5 2011. The Maldives is set to host the world’s most exclusive surfing event this August featuring six world champions, a leading five star surfing resort, a luxurious 39-metre three-deck catamaran, and perfect reef break waves.

The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy will define the world's greatest surfer of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Six former world champions have been invited to compete for the Trophy and US$25,000 in prize-money.