Joel Parkinson, Conner Coffin, and Hood Hoobs Ahmed Complete The Elite Lineup For the 2023 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy

2023 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy

As the Eleventh Annual Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy (SCT) prepares to launch, event administrators are ecstatic to announce the addition of three final names to this year's all-star cast.

Joining the previously announced trio of Brazilian world champion Adriano de Souza and Hawaiian super siblings Mason and Coco Ho at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa will be Australian world champion Joel Parkinson, Californian style master Conner Coffin, and 2021 Maldives national champion Hood "Hoobs" Ahmed, a local wildcard.

Parkinson first competed in the Surfing Champions Trophy in 2019, reaching the Grand Final against Josh Kerr. He cannot wait to bring his family back to Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa in 2023 to create more memories.

"My last time competing in the Surfing Champions Trophy was so much fun. I enjoyed competing on all of the various types of surfboards because the surfing was incredible. I can only hope that I can pull my family away from all the activities at Kuda Huraa long enough to witness my heats!

Reconnecting with Adriano will be fantastic; we spent so much time competing against each other at the highest level that I'm looking forward to spending time with him and his family in a more relaxed environment, in paradise. Mason and Coco's surfing has always been my favourite, so seeing them on single and tandem fins will be incredible. I, too, cannot wait to face Conner once more. We've been friends for a long time, but now that we're off tour, we haven't seen each other as often, so having him in a contest at pounding Sultans will be extremely enjoyable."

exclaimed Parko.

Coffin, a 30-year-old natural footer who competed on the championship tour for six years and finished fourth in the world in 2021, exclaims, "Parko is the man!"

Even though I grew up in Santa Barbara, where Tom Curren is king, I've always paid close attention to Joel's surfing. The last time we surfed against each other was at J-Bay the year Joel retired, so it will be a lot of joy to compete against each other again."

"I've travelled with Mason for years. It would be absurd to compete against him on a single fin. Obviously Coco also smashes, and Adriano's record as a world champion speaks for itself. I can't wait to hang out with him because he's such a lovely person out of the water, but it may be a different story when he's wearing a jersey! I have always believed that competing in the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy would be a dream, so I am extremely grateful for the invitation. I can't wait to take in all the sites and check out the local surfing as well."

In addition, Hood "Hoobs" Ahmed, a local wild card making his first appearance at the Surfing Champions Trophy, will demonstrate his remarkable wave-riding abilities.

"I'm a very happy, proud Maldivian. Competing in the Surfing Champions Trophy was a fantasy I never truly believed would come true. The opportunity to represent my nation in the Maldives' largest event is a tremendous honour for me and my family.

I'm looking forward to surfing with Joel Parkinson, who has always been one of my favourites, and Mason Ho, whose surfing I find to be very inspiring. My close friend Hussain "Iboo" Areef competed last year and told me it was one of the greatest experiences of his life, so I'm thrilled to be participating and can't wait to welcome everyone to the Maldives in August!"

Ahmed, the 32-year-old goofyfooter and surf guide who was the 2021 national champion of the Maldives said.

This year, the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy will be held at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa from August 21-28. Surfers will compete in three divisions, riding single, twin, and (thruster) tri fin surfboards, prior to the Surfing Champions Trophy surf-off between the top two competitors. Heat durations are staggered by age, and with $25,000 in prize money up for grabs, the surfers will compete aggressively from the very beginning of their heats.

Be on the lookout for more dispatches from paradise as the level of exhilaration builds leading up to August.

Surf enthusiasts can schedule the Surf & Spa package, which is available for the entire month of August, to witness all the action. The package includes a session for two with expert Tropicsurf instructors, a two-for-one offer at The Island Spa, 15 percent off non-suite accommodations, welcome refreshments in the villa, round-trip airport transfers, and a daily buffet breakfast at Café Huraa. 

To reserve your stay in this surfer's paradise, book online, send an email to 

reservations.mal@fourseasons.com, or call the Four Seasons Resorts Maldives central reservations department at (960) 66 00 888.