Now the Daily Mail isn’t a source of any news worth your time. Obsessed as they are with ‘woman wears clothes’ or creepy ‘woman reveals entirely natural bit of body in skimpy… etc’ stories. Which isn’t by any stretch of the imagination news when there’s so much actual news happening. But that said as a website to go and have a look at when you’re in need of a chuckle it’s right up there with the Onion.
A surfer’s bucket list. Yes. Handy info for all you ‘boarders’. So make sure you come to Newquay for the frequent 40-footers. Just remember your big wave gun and to paddle out round the back of the Cribbar. No point trying to duckdive eh? It’s impressive that humble Newqs is third most desirable after the obvious Nazare and Mavericks. So once you’ve ticked those two off and achieved ‘legend’ status come down Kernow and ride the 40s.
Also sound advice about trying the Backdoor when in Hawaii. *titters*
As for 1.3km rides at J-Bay?!? Not to mention the incredibly patronising ‘charming natives’.
Shane Dorian took out the 2015 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy at Sultan’s Point. Dorian defeated last years Champion Dave Rastovich in the Final and has secured himself a spot in the 2016 event.
In what was a fitting climax to an amazing week of surfing from all competitors, Dorian posted his two scoring waves in the early stages of the heat, a 6.67 and 7.83, for a heat total of 14.50. This left Rastovich to chase down a 7.28. Trailing by only 0.44, ‘Rasta’ was unable to get the score in the closing minutes and Dorian took the win.
“I never thought I would come here and win this event,” said Dorian. “Surfing with all these guys in the Maldives has just been a really incredible experience. The different divisions were so good, I never knew I could have so much fun riding a twin fin, let alone win a heat against Rasta on one. The waves yesterday were so dreamy, it’s been such an amazing event”
2014 Surfing Champions Trophy winner, Rastovich, surfed incredibly all event taking out the single fin division and a 2nd place in the twin fin, he unfortunately was unable to take out back-to-back Champions Trophy titles.
“Everyone has been surfing amazing all week,” Rastovich said. “Seeing everyone surfing on different boards is great. Today was good; Shane and I were just sitting out the back chatting and taking it easy, catching a couple of waves. At the end of the day this is just a great holiday for everyone, with a couple of perks. There is a little bit of structure but it’s mainly just a good time.
One of Rastovich’s highlights for this year’s event was competing and free surfing surfing with 2004 WSL Women’s World Champion Sofía Mulánovich.
“I really feel like it’s great that Sofia is in the mix, surfing with the fellas. That sort of thing doesn’t happen enough in surfing. Every line up in the world is always better with women in the water. I think that’s one of the best things about this event, great diversity”.
Taking out the event means that Dorian receives an automatic entry into the 2016 Surfing Champions Trophy something that the Champion describes as the sweetest part of the victory.
“I’m really stoked above winning that I’ll be able to come back to the Maldives and surf in the event next year, almost as excited as my wife is. I’ll definitely work on some different boards and riding a few twins and singles before I come back for sure,” said Dorian.
En route to the Grand Final, Dorian had a third place in the single fin division, and a first in the twin and thruster division. He also had the highest single wave score, a 10, the first in Champions Trophy history, and the highest heat total, a 19.60 (out of a possible 20)
Both competitors were presented with their prizes by the Republic of the Maldives Deputy Minister for Tourism, Hussain Lirar in a traditional ceremony aboard the Four Seasons Explorer.
After what was an incredible week of waves at Sultan’s Point off the Four Season’s island of Kuda Huraa, event organisers look to next year’s event, which promises to be bigger and better than ever.
It was a nothing short of a sensational day at Kuda Huraa, Maldives today. Amazing surf, weather, and vibes. Plus Shane Dorian posted a near perfect heat total of 19.60 to beat Neco Padaratz in the final of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy Thruster Division including a 10 that seasoned onlookers said is one of the best waves ridden at Sultan’s.
Sultan’s turned on and the two traded barrels for what was without a doubt, the heat of the contest so far. Padaratz posted three excellent scores but was unable to escape the combination situation Dorian had put him in.
“The conditions were just magic,” said Dorian. “That Maldivian water clarity, the sun shining, and perfect off shore, when that first one came it was such a perfect shape but I thought it might run a little fast so I had to race straight away. Then I pulled in and it ended up going the perfect speed, it was a blast. The wave is so rippable and user friendly
“I’m really stoked to be here. It’s such a magical place, the Four Seasons Resort is top notch in every way, the staff, the service, the food it’s all amazing and the proximity of the resort to the waves is also incredible”
Padaratz was a clear stand out in and out of the water. At 38, his skills and competitive drive have certainly not left him. (Brazil, if you are reading, you should be very proud of this guy)
“Everything was so perfect for that heat,” Padaratz said. “The water and colours, especially the waves. I have surfed here before and knew you can get barrels at the end, but today it was going all the way through from start to finish, just awesome!”
“This event has been so amazing, it feels good to know I can still perform with these guys. Shane and I were just trading waves and laughing sitting out there”
Dorian now moves through to the Grand final of the Champions Trophy, where he will meet last year’s winner Dave Rastovich.
“Surfing against Rasta should be fun. He’s really cruisey and mellow and goes with the flow but as soon as a heat starts he’s all action, he’s actually a bit of a contest machine. It’s always such a good vibe in the water with Rasta so I can’t wait.”
The two met today in semi-final two where Dorian’s 17.90 got him through by 0.70 of a point as Rastovich was unable to find an 8.78 in the final minutes.
In another close semi-final, Harley Ingleby, needing a 7.50 took off on one of the last set waves of the heat, but it only offered one critical section and Ingleby had to settle for a 6.77 and an equal third place.
“I could see a good sized set and let the first one go,” said Ingleby. “I didn’t think there would be four waves in the set so took the third wave, but it only had one good section and then raced away. It was a super fun heat though; it’s been an incredible experience here, having really good heats, in really good waves, it’s been a dream come true trip.”
Brad Gerlach was unlucky to get knocked out in the opening round. Posting a 9.00 early in his heat, ‘Gerr’, although staying busy, was unable to find the eight point back up that he needed.
“The waves are super fun, it’s super shredable. I suppose that’s the most frustrating thing, I don’t get to go back out. Overall it’s been a fun week, it’s great to chat and hang with everyone, getting to surf these waves without anyone out, it’s been great”
With an amazing display of stylish rail surfing, 2004 WSL Women’s World Champion Sofía Mulánovich was not able to progress. She showed off her amazing ability off against the guys as the only female in the event.
“This was my first time competing against guys,” Mulánovich said. “It’s been such an amazing experience getting to surf against my idols, in these waves and in paradise, it’s an honour, I’m super happy to be here and I hope I can come back in the future.”
Tomorrow is the final day of the waiting period and means our two finalists, Shane Dorian and Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich will take to the water on their own choice of craft and a Champion will be crowned.
Indefatigable is my word of the day. A persistingly tireless and ever stoked, cortizoned up Neco Padaratz bounds around the boat emanating little waves of happiness that get absorbed by pretty much everyone within a 2k radius. He is stoked his back is ok, he is stoked the waves are fun, lined up walls, he is stoked to compete against his competitors, he’s even stoked when he loses…Not that he doesn’t want to win as much as the next man or Sophia. I was stoked his back was ok though. Although a little later in the day when he was absolutely lighting up Sultans, I, and many others, were beginning to think his back may not be so bad…We will give him the credit though. I just think life and surfing lifts him.
And so to Day Two of the comp and twin fins. Two things I should point out here, one when I came on this trip I thought it may be a luxury jolly for a few surfers who no longer surf the WSL. You know, turn up, few beers, surf a bit and leave. Not so. Luxury yes, 100%, as branded the most luxurious surf comp certainly I have ever heard of. This place is insane and the guests, media and surfers are being treated like royalty. Four Seasons Maldives are literally pushing five star luxury boats out. The jolly bit however, not so much. When the call is made it is down to business Everyone in the comp wants this title bad. I mean real bad. Sure they are a bunch of very agreeable characters, Gerr probably quieter than I imagined if I am honest, but they are preparing for and going into each heat as if it is a battle for a world champs. This comp means something, more so it has something. It is a unique challenge that brings together surfers who excel on a variety of craft that we all love. From the view figures it seems to be resonating with you guys too. I just wish you were all here to see it live. It is pretty awesome…
Second thing. I have never seen so many surfers hit the lip so hard or carve so solidly on our little duo finned friends the twin fins. From a classic MR shapes to 80’s style/modern day hybrids and keel fins, whatever, they were smashing it. When I arrived at Sultans in the morning to hear Tubeway Army and other 80’s classics coming off the commentary boat I was kind of expecting a few loose tails off the bottom, maybe a little bit of speed loss, the odd hand jive to compensate for an outdated design, that kind of thing. How wrong I was. Full rail carves were the order of the day, along with deep barrels and multiple controlled hacks…The action would not have been out of place at full blown WSL comp. You have seen the single fin action, well the twin fin comp was better.
Dorian as it turns out loves surfing small waves…I know. I thought he was just about waves etched with the reapers face these days too. And he wants to win. He blew up today. Rolled back the years and rolled up the sleeves for what was a proper job on his hands. Fellow finalist Rasta obviously has complete command of his vehicles, and an array of ballsy full rail carves which he unleashes interspersed with soulful nuance and fantastic flow. He also has solid core of contest knowledge to draw on. He sits among the elite as one of the best surfers in the world. Nice guy too. If you ever met him I am sure you would like him.
All the champs had their moments today. Harley Ingleby, well the best way to describe him is that no shortboarder would want him in their heat, like at all. He is well known as a longboarder, but if you saw him surf on shortboards you just wouldn’t know it. He is that good. I am now convinced he could ride and pull airs on a fridge door.
I was pleased for Gerr today. He spends lot of time watching the lineup and analysing, he obviously wants to do well and yesterday wasn’t his day. His board let him down rather. Just a little too chunky. Today I saw the full graceful bottom turn, projection and hacks that set him apart in his hey day. It was great to see him linking his turns through fast flowing sections. The G Man was a great surfer, still is. Sofia meanwhile is still scaring everyone with her power hacks. She is so bloody nice, polite, smiley… give her a section and it is devastation, spray flying about everywhere, and what the hell… She’s like a size six but puts six foot alpha males to shame. Power earns respect, she has it from everyone.
In the end Dorian took the win over Rasta in great final and it’s game on for the title, as we head to the thrusters. I suspect, if the swell plays ball, we are going to see another escalation in performance and I can’t wait.
As for the Brazilian Storm of Stoke personified, well last time I saw Neco he had just had a full massage in the spa and bounced along the jetty like and 18 year old off for his first legal beer. Lord only knows how much energy he will have for the thruster event. The bloke is a whirlwind of smiles. Got to love that.
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Dave Rastovich retained his Single Fin title in a dramatic day at the Four Seasons Maldives Champions trophy, beating a shredding and highly emotional Neco Padaratz in the final.
In long 4-5 foot waves Padaratz has won the hearts of spectators and organisers during his heats and was absolutely over brimming with stoke and energy when he sustained an injury in the final. Neco had threaded the best tubes of the day, two behind the foam ball, in a highly charged display. “I am so fortunate be here, more than you will ever believe,” he had said earlier in the day, before heading out and smashing his heat. “I was sat there reflecting on life and the ups and downs over the past years when this wave came to me and it was just perfect,” he said apres heat, “I took it as a sign, and then another came through. It was just amazing,’ he continued. He was clearly having time of his life and showing it drawing hoots from the boats in the channel and a standing ovation on his return. His final didn’t go to plan however, as he aggravated an old back injury and had to be returned to the Mother Ship clinging to the side of a rib. Obviously he was in pain, but more obvious was the stoke still boiling within as he threw mini shakas and smiles through the grimaces. Won a new fan in me, that’s for sure.
In earlier heats World Longboard Champ Harley Ingleby absolutely smashed his first round, proving he can actually ride anything as good as anyone, but succumbed to a slow period of waves during his semi final. Full top to bottom hacks, roundhouses, he blazed early on. Skindog had told me he would have a fiver on him to take the title and it wouldn’t have been a bad bet, but as Rasta said, “Contest surfing is a funny thing. You are reliant on nature, and sometimes nature just doesn’t want to play.” The waves just deserted the champ on the turn on the tide ending his title hopes.
Rasta put on a great display of swooping power gouges, linked turns and just generally produced joyful surfing, punctuated with a bit of body English through all his heats for a worthy win. He is up for his title defence and being a lover of a twin fin must now be favourite to retain his title.
Other highlights of the day included a couple of Dorians’ thousand mile stares, which are worth the Air Miles here to witness in person. (Would do a great James Bond I think). He left the boat right after his loss. Despite all the big wave charging I think Shano still has the competitive bug deep within. I think all top former surfers have probably have it, it just takes a hooter for them to come out swinging like an old boxing pro on hearing a bell. They may deny it, they may culture a different image, but that hooter goes and a dog is in the fight.
Diminutive Sofia Mulanovich also impressed, man-hacking the backs out of some hefty sections (unfortunately she needed more co operative runners to progress). She has a handicap advantage in her heats but to be honest if I were surfing I think I would be appealing that and trying to keep her off the set waves. #Danger
Tomorrow sees the start of the Twin Fin comp. I hope Neco is ok because the comp will be poorer for his loss and reading between the lines it could genuinely mean more than a few bucks and a trophy to him. (Get behind your heroes, Brazil). I have feeling Dorian wants more, and Gerlach, who didn’t really get going on his single fin will be back on a craft more suited to his style. Should be an interesting day, stay tuned…
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