Australian Josh Kerr won the opening round single-fin division at the 2018 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy

Maldives at Kuda Huraa, Republic of Maldives, 2018-Aug-13 — /Travel PR News/ — The 2018 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy has kicked off in stunning conditions with Australian Josh Kerr taking out the opening round single-fin division. Sultans turned it on for the opening day of the world’s most luxurious surfing event with clean 4-to-6 foot waves rifling down the reef.

In the single-fin final, Kerr took on CJ Hobgood (USA) with the two former WSL Championship Tour (CT) competitors trading waves, both gliding and jiving on their retro boards to each post solid heat totals. 2001 WSL Champion Hobgood led the heat with a minute left, until Kerr took off on a medium-sized set and ripped into it, even landing a technical air-reverse to take the lead and the division’s win.

“That wasn’t the best air but it did the job so I’ll take it,” Kerr said. “I’ve always thought about getting the call up to this event, so to be here now is amazing and to win the single-fin is too good. I was most nervous about the single-fin because the waves were way bigger than what I thought my board could deal with but it turned on in the conditions perfectly.  This has been such a blast from the past hanging out with all of these guys; we haven’t seen much of each other over the last few years so this has been such a fun catch-up. And we’re doing it here at literally the most luxurious surfing event in the world with our families – I feel so spoiled.”

Hobgood is the veteran of the event having competed here last year, where he also finished runner-up in the single-fin division. The Floridian goofy-foot was destined for the final with some epic performances throughout the day particularly in his semifinal match-up with Alejo Muniz (BRA) which came right down to the wire. Hobgood continued this form into the final but was overcome by a rampaging Kerr in the dying seconds of the day.

“The waves are pumping today – it’s the best it’s been all week,” Hobgood said. “It’s so good to be back here and I definitely felt like the guy who knew what I was in for but still couldn’t hold in my excitement. I rode that same board last year and rode it a few times recently so was feeling really good on it. It was always going to be tough in that final coming up against Josh (Kerr), I feel like he will be the guy to beat here this week.”

On his way to the single-fin final, Kerr dismantled former CT competitor Freddy Patacchia Jr (HAW) in semi-final 2. Patacchia was on borrowed equipment after missing the memo and forgetting to pack his own single-fin. The Hawaiian powerhouse was unfazed, making the most of an empty line-up in pumping surf at Sultans.

“I think I must have missed an email or something because I totally forgot to bring my single-fin,” Patacchia said. “Luckily there was one here that I could borrow and it worked all right. I was just having a blast out there today. My career was spent surfing to a criteria on a particular board so today I surfed to what I think the criteria on a single-fin should be and although I didn’t win I had so much fun. These are the best waves I’ve surfed in ages so I’m so stoked.”

The opening heat of the event saw a great showing from local wildcard Abdulla “Fuku” Areef. Although he was unable to progress into the single-fin semi-finals, he put on an epic show at one of his local breaks, surfing a single-fin for one of the first times.

Currently sitting within reach of re-qualifying for the Elite CT, Alejo Muniz (BRA) is definitely the most in-tune competitor at this year’s event. Having just hopped on a single-fin for the first time two days ago, Muniz looked in excellent shape, narrowly getting edged out by eventual division runner-up CJ Hobgood.

Due to a missed flight, Hawaiian surfing icon Bruce Irons unfortunately had to withdraw from the single-fin division but is hopeful to arrive before the twin-fin division gets underway in the coming days.

Stay tuned as the event heads towards the 80s and the competitors get loose in the twin-fin division, which will most likely kick off tomorrow.

About the Surfing Champions Trophy

Unique in many ways, the Surfing Champions Trophy determines a surfer’s heat time based on their age, and tests skill across three different divisions: single-fin, twin-fin, and triple-fin thruster.  Places are granted to surfing’s elite by invitation-only, who then battle it out for both surfing inner-circle kudos and USD 25,000 prize winnings.

As ever, the event will be on board Four Seasons Explorer – the Maldives’ ultimate surf vessel. Fans can get up close to the action with on board VIP passes, while the surf tour experience continues with shoulder-rubbing events back at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, which plays host to the contest’s competitors, judges and Tropicsurf partners.

Surf, Spa and Save with an exclusive Four Seasons Kuda Huraa offer:

• 15 percent off Room Rate
• One 60-minute massage in The Island Spa for two guests per stay
• Two day passes to view the competition from Four Seasons Explorer (individual tickets to Single, Double, Triple Fin and Grand Finale)
• VIP Tour Cocktails (nightly cocktail hour with the six Surfing Champions contestants throughout the week of the competition)

This offer is only available through August 13, 2018, and requires a four-night minimum stay. Package inclusions are based on a four-night stay. Additional nights include breakfast only.

Log on to SurfingChampionsTrophy.com for live event updates; or follow the action with #FSSurf on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Contact:
Juliana Ang
Director of Public Relations
Tourism Court, #04-00, 1 Orchard Spring Lane
Singapore,
247729
juliana.ang@fourseasons.com
(65) 6514 82 81

SOURCE: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

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