The world’s most luxurious surfing competition at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives in Kuda Huraa returns | News

The Indian Ocean doesn’t need much convincing to put on a show. But every September it outdoes itself for a week. At the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the Surfing Champions Trophy is confirmed to return to the legendary Sultans holiday from September 4 to 11, 2026, bringing with it the promise of world-class surfing, sun-soaked evenings and the kind of access that doesn’t exist anywhere else on earth.

Now in its 14th edition, the Surfing Champions Trophy is one of the sport’s most special events: an invitation-only gathering of the best surfers, competing in three board disciplines (single fin, twin fin and Thruster) on one of the Maldives’ renowned reef breaks, with Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa as the garden island base for competitors, judges and guests alike.

The 2026 line-up will be announced in phases in the coming months. Now is the time to look at the horizon.

Where surfing royalty come to compete

The first Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy was brought to life in 2011 and reinterpreted the way surfing events are organized. Since then, Sultans has organized a roll call of surfing royalty that reads like an induction ceremony into the Hall of Fame.

The first event saw Mark Occhilupo win all three divisions before beating world longboard champion Josh Constable in the Grand Champions Final, and the level has never dropped since. The champions that followed are a who’s who of surfing’s most decorated names: Damien Hardman in 2012, Taylor Knox in 2013, Dave “Rasta” Rastovich in 2014 and Shane Dorian in 2015, Taj Burrow in both 2016 and 2017, Josh Kerr back-to-back in 2018 and 2019, Kelly Slater in 2022, Joel Parkinson in 2023 and Taj Burrow again in 2024, claiming a remarkable third title overall.

From the start, the event attracted the who’s who of surfing to the shores of Kuda Huraa. Across thirteen editions, the field included five-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore, big wave pioneer Maya Gabeira, surfing legends Tom Curren, Rob Machado and Layne Beachley, inspirational icon Bethany Hamilton and stylists Mikey February, Jeremy Flores and Jadson Andre, to name a few. Each year brings a different cast with a consistently high level of competition.

2025: the year ‘The Spartan’ refused to stop

If the 2026 edition is to rival the 2025 event, something special will be needed. Tahitian powerhouse Michel Bourez defied injury to claim victory at the 2025 Surfing Championship Trophy, stunning spectators by winning both the thrust division and the grand final just 24 hours after tearing his hamstring in the twin fin division. He scored the event’s only perfect 10 in the final minute of the grand final, a moment that has yet to be surpassed.

Australian Olympian Owen Wright, Jesse Mendes of Brazil, freesurfing pioneer Craig Anderson and Maldivian wildcard Ismail ‘Smiley’ Rasheed completed a field that produced one of the most memorable editions in the trophy’s history.

The Surf’s Up Package: For those who want to get in on the action

Watching legends surf is one thing. Surfing next to them is something completely different. The Surf’s Up package at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa offers four days of expert coaching with Tropicsurf professionals, guided boat trips to legendary breaks, daily yoga, a post-surf massage at ŪRJĀ Naturopathy Island, round-trip speedboat transfers, daily breakfast and surf equipment, whether guests are learning to surf or perfecting their technique.

The Four Seasons Cocktail Parties are a highlight of the week and are hosted all over the island in beautiful locations with private chefs, specialty cocktails and everyone dressed to impress. The perfect backdrop to unwind, recap the day’s waves and chat with the professionals. Guests have been known to stand next to the morning’s grand finalist discussing the placement of the fins over a negroni.

The 2026 participant line-up will be revealed in the coming months. Participants will be confirmed in phases and updates will be shared via surfchampionstrofy.com and Four Seasons Resort Maldives on the Kuda Huraa channels.

To book a stay during the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2026 and inquire about the Surf’s Up package, [email protected] or call +960 66 00 888.