Day Two of the 2022 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy kicked off at 10.30am local time today, as contest directors waited for conditions to improve. By the time our event hooter sounded, the Indian Ocean’s morning sickness had subsided and there were consistent 3-to-5-foot sets coming through Sultans. Strong offshore winds created a bit of a chattering face, putting surfers to the test in the Twin-Fin Division of the event.
Shane Dorian (USA), who was bested in the Single-Fin Final against Kelly Slater (USA) yesterday, was able to surf his way through the competitive field and come out with a victory. Dorian turned the tables on Slater in the first semifinal when he caught a wave under priority in the dying minutes of the heat, scored an 8.07, and put himself in first place.
“It felt really good to beat Kelly,” said Dorian. “It’s pretty obvious, but it’s really difficult to beat him. I’ve surfed against him a ton of times in my life and he usually gets me, so every time I can beat him, it’s a personal win for me.”
Dorian then went on to face off against Ross Williams (USA) in the Twin-Fin Final, where the two surfed head-to-head for the first time in the event.
“It feels really good to have made it through to the Final,” said Williams. “I pretty much consider myself an underdog so I’m trying my hardest to beat Kelly and Shane, Taylor (Knox), Rob (Machado) and Iboo (Areef). It’s a super good challenge and it’s so enjoyable.”
Despite tricky conditions with strong wind and slowing consistency, Dorian and Williams put on a twin-fin show to remember, scoring combined totals of 16.26 and 15.00 respectively. “Conditions were really fun, but you had to be very selective,” continued Williams. “I feel like riding a twin-fin presented even more of a challenge out there – but, when you got a good wave and put it together, it felt all the better because of just how difficult it was.
Williams found a special level of enjoyment in the Twin-Fin Division today, due to the equipment under his feat. “I was actually riding a board designed by Rob Machado. It was really cool and special to surf a board that one of my best friends designed, while he’s here, surfing with us in the Maldives in this event.”
The event window is open until August 29, 2022, so competitors Shane Dorian, Kelly Slater, Taylor Knox (USA), Rob Machado (USA), Ross Williams (USA) and Hussain “Iboo” Areef have another few days to enjoy Kuda Huraa while awaiting prime conditions to run the remaining Thruster division and Final Round.
“The Maldives is an incredible region to come surf,” said Dorian. “I have been coming here since I was about 20 years old, and the wave quality and water clarity and vibe is amazing. Not to mention surfing with the local people here, they are so stoked and happy about how good the surf is most of the time. It’s amazing. And Sultans is incredibly reliable, consistent and super high-performance – it’s the perfect venue for a surf competition.”
Event organisers will meet tomorrow morning (August 26, 2022) at 8am island time to make a call for the day. Stay tuned for more updates from the world’s most luxurious surf competition, the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy.
Twin Fin Division Results:
Shane Dorian (USA) – 1st Ross Williams (USA) – 2nd Rob Machado (USA) – 3rd Kelly Slater (USA) – 3rd Taylor Knox (USA) – 5th Hussain “Iboo” Areef (MDV) – 5th
Single Fin Division Results
Kelly Slater (USA) – 1st Shane Dorian (USA) – 2nd Ross Williams (USA) – 3rd Taylor Knox (USA) – 3rd Rob Machado (USA) – 5th Hussain “Iboo” Areef (MDV) – 5th
A surprise huge swell hit France this week. It is unusual to see these type of conditions in Summer more so in Autumn.
Jeremy Flores and a few mates made the most of it!
It was a picture-perfect start day for the 10th Anniversary of the 2022 Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy in beautiful Kuda Huraa, Maldives. The right-hand competition wave of Sultans was as good as it gets, with consistent and solid 4-6 foot sets rolling through the lineup. A light offshore wind helped the wave maintain its shape throughout the day, as our surfers fought their way through the Single-Fin division of the event.
It was 11x World Champion Kelly Slater who came out on top today, claiming victory in a Final heat against good friend and fellow Momentum Generation surfer Shane Dorian (USA).
“It’s my first time here,” said Slater. “I’ve seen videos and I knew what the waves were like, but I didn’t know where they were in relation to each other. Shane has been here a bunch and now it’s one of those places that I want to come back to year after year. I’m really surprised there’s not a World Tour event here – it’s just such a great location and the waves are beautiful, they’re playful but it’s really high level and high-performance surf.”
The event format at the Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy is unlike any other, asking competitors to show creativity and variety in their surfing across three disciplines of surfing – single-fin, twin-fin and thruster. Kicking off the event with the single-fin division presented a unique challenge to competitors.
“Surfing has come so far in the last couple of generations of surfers,” said runner-up Dorian. “And riding a single fin really limits you for your options on the wave – your choices and turns. It gives us a lot of perspective for what guys were achieving on single fins 40, 50, 60 years ago. It’s a really fun challenge though.”
The 11x World Champion took the opportunity to better his skill set in the water. “I feel like I learned a lot about how to place my turns better and more subtly, and not try to force things,” said Kelly. “Whereas on a high-performance board you’re always trying to force the most radical change of direction you can. I think a single-fin is great for your style and your flow.”
The world’s most luxurious surfing event is playing host this year to some of the most iconic surfers in history, – Kelly Slater (USA), Taylor Knox (USA), Rob Machado (USA), Shane Dorian (HAW) and Ross Williams (USA) – as well as event wildcard and multiple Maldives Surfing Champion Hussain “Iboo” Areef. For Dorian, this is his third time surfing in the event – but with the Momentum Generation by his side, 2022 will go down in the history books.
“It’s awesome especially this year,” said Dorian. “It’s been really fun in the past, but this year is extra special because we all have been best friends for three decades, almost four decades. The first heat Kelly and I ever surfed against each other was 38 years ago, when were 12 years old! It’s cool to have grown up together and surfed a bunch of heats together and travelled the world with each other. It’s just so cool to be here with our little group of friends, and to be here with Iboo as well, surfing with and against each other.”
The forecast for remaining event days looks promising, with consistent swell and prime conditions predicted to continue throughout the week. Stay tuned for more updates from the 2022 Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy.
Single Fin Division Results
Kelly Slater (USA) – 1st Shane Dorian (USA) – 2nd Ross Williams (USA) – 3rd Taylor Knox (USA) – 3rd Rob Machado (USA) – 5th Hussain “Iboo” Areef (MDV) – 5th
Two of the best aerial surfers in the world, Matt Meola and Albee Layer packed up and headed to Waco Surf to get a handful of new tricks dialed, featuring Kevin Schmoltz.
Surfers Against Sewage’s (SAS) annual Citizen Science Brand Audit has revealed the ‘Dirty Dozen’ brands polluting UK beaches with plastic packaging and fuelling ecological harm.
The report is the result of almost 4,000 citizen scientists collecting branded packaging pollution from over 13,000 miles.
The citizen science movement has exposed Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and McDonald’s as the top three companies driving the UK packaging pollution crisis, responsible for almost 40% of branded pollution found.
Key findings include:
+ Twelve companies are responsible for over 70% of branded pollution across the UK.
+ For the third year, Coca-Cola has been found as the biggest polluter, responsible for 20% of all branded pollution found.
+ As the top three polluters, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and McDonald’s are responsible for a staggering 39% of all branded pollution found.
+ Almost 50% of the reported pollution would be covered under an ‘all-in’ Deposit Return Scheme.
The annual Citizen Science Brand Audit released today (23rd August 2022) identifies the same offenders every year, making a mockery of their supposedly ambitious sustainability pledges. Brands are failing to adequately reduce packaging, switch to reuse models and enable recycling. As the top three polluters, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and McDonalds are responsible for a staggering 39% of all branded pollution found.
For the 3rd year, Coca-Cola has taken the top spot. This follows growing public pressure for systems change and their recent announcement of a new reusable packaging target, aiming for at least 25% of all beverages worldwide to be sold in refillable or returnable glass or plastic bottles and containers by 2030.
The Dirty Dozen continue to pollute UK landscapes with plastic packaging which floods into the ocean, fuelling ecological harm and jeopardising the health of people and wildlife. To highlight the rampant pollution blighting the environment and ocean, Surfers Against Sewage have commissioned a 100m x 400m projection of packaging waste stacked up against the iconic White Cliffs of Dover.
Citizen scientists across the country found 10,843 branded items in total, linked to 264 companies. A shocking 28,727 items were recorded overall, including both branded and unbranded items.
Tobacco products accounted for over 15% of all pollution recorded and over a quarter of all unbranded pollution recorded was cigarette butts. Cigarette pollution is extremely detrimental to the soil and beaches, with the vast majority of butts made from single use plastic and containing hundreds of toxic chemicals once smoked.
Surfers Against Sewage are calling on companies to take responsibility for their harmful pollution and the entire lifecycle of their products, reduce their packaging and adopt circular business models. In addition, the charity is urging the government to introduce an ‘all-in’ Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers of all sizes and materials including glass, not just small containers classified as ‘on-the-go’. This scheme would see consumers pay an up-front deposit on products, redeemed on return of the container. Growing in popularity, Deposit Return Schemes are already used effectively across Europe and receiving high return rates. Of the items monitored from this year’s Dirty Dozen, it is estimated that a massive 55% could be captured through an ‘all-in’ Deposit Return Scheme.
Hugo Tagholm, Chief Executive of Surfers Against Sewage, said: “Year after year, our Citizen Science Brand Audit reveals the same huge companies are responsible for the packaging pollution choking our environment. Despite public sustainability commitments, these dirty brands are failing to take meaningful action to stop this harm.
We cannot stand for this blatant greenwashing any longer. Systemic change is urgently needed to end the pollution swamping the land and ocean. Businesses need to take responsibility for their polluting products and transition to models of reduction and reuse. Legislation such as an ‘all-in’ deposit scheme needs to be introduced urgently and governments must hold these companies to account.”
Dr Christian Dunn, Senior Lecturer in Natural Sciences at Bangor University, added: “This research shows the environmental disaster of plastic pollution shows no sign of slowing down, as yet again the same companies are responsible for the bulk of the waste being found on our beaches and streets.
It’s rather depressing that despite all the evidence over the years being provided by SAS and its fantastic team of citizen scientists these companies still aren’t getting a grip on the issue. There needs to be a shared responsibility between everyone; the government, producers and consumers if we’re to seriously tackle the problem.”
The data for the audit was collected as part of the charity’s ambitious Million Mile Clean initiative, inspiring community action across the country. A movement of 3,796 volunteers collected branded items from 13,047 miles in order to hold polluting companies to account.
To end the packaging pollution crisis degrading the natural environment, Surfers Against Sewage is calling for:
Business models that are focused on reduction and reuse.
Legislation that ends the production and consumption of single use and pollution plastics.
Legislation that ensures effective resource use and waste management.
Cultural change across society.
To find out more about the Citizen Science Brand Audit and what you can do to influence companies and governments, visit the Surfers Against Sewage website: https://www.sas.org.uk/.
TEAHUPO’O, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA – AUGUST 19: Miguel Pupo of Brazil surfs in the Final at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro on August 19, 2022 at Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia. (Photo by Damien Poullenot/World Surf League)
Courtney Conlogue (USA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) won the Outerknown Tahiti Pro, Stop No. 10 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT) and the final competition ahead of the Rip Curl WSL Finals. Following four days of action at the famed Teahupo’o surf break, Finals Day culminated in clean four-to-six-foot waves, alternating between women’s and men’s rounds. This competition marked the return of the women’s CT to Teahupo’o for the first time in 16 years and witnessed inspiring performances from all competitors.
Following the Outerknown Tahiti Pro, the WSL Tours and Competition team has confirmed the Top 5 men and Top 5 women who will compete in the Rip Curl WSL Finals, the one-day event that will determine the 2022 World Champions.
Conlogue Becomes First Woman To Win CT in Teahupo’o for First Time in 16 Years
Californian Courtney Conlogue (USA) has claimed a historic win at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o, being the first woman to do so since 2006. Conlogue was on fire all the event, showing serious commitment to book herself a spot in the Final with Brisa Hennessy (CRI). The Final was a matchup between two of the event standouts, but Conlogue took control, by being in-tune with the waves and displaying incredible finesse in the tube. She posted a 7.50 (out of a possible 10) and backed it up with a mid-range score to put Hennessy out of contention. Conlogue claimed her 13th CT victory and her first since the 2019 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
“Honestly I’m just so grateful for this–it’s been a long time since I’ve had a win,” Conlogue said. “This year has had so many challenges and highs and lows. I love this wave. This wave is so magical and I feel really lucky to win here. It was great to share the Final with Brisa. She was charging all event and sending it. This is the perfect way to end the year. This one is for all my friends and family and sponsors, I wouldn’t be here without them. And also, to WSL for bringing the women back here, I’m grateful.”
Runner-up Brisa Hennessy Clinches Last Spot in Rip Curl WSL Finals
Earlier in the day, eventual runner-up Henessy came up against Californian Lakey Peterson (USA) in a Quarterfinal 4 Heat which would see the winner clinch a spot in the WSL Final 5, ahead of next month’s Rip Curl WSL Finals. With Peterson coming into the event in sixth on the rankings and Hennessy in fifth, Hennessy claimed the Heat win by pulling into a long draining barrel to claim the heat win. Hennessy’s second place finish here today has put her in the fourth seed spot for the WSL Finals.
Hennessy will be joined by Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Johanne Defay (FRA), and Carissa Moore (HAW) this September for the Rip Curl WSL Finals at Lower Trestles.
“I’m trying to soak this all in, at the moment,” Hennessy said. “Having my mom and dad here and all of the women on tour sharing this beautiful lineup is so special. It was incredible to share the final with Courtney (Conlogue) – she is such an inspiration in consequential waves and is just a fun person to be around, so it’s been a great day. I’m feeling positive at the moment and want to carry this positive energy into Trestles.”
Miguel Pupo Claims Maiden CT Victory
Miguel Pupo (BRA) claimed his maiden Championship Tour victory today at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro with an incredible performance against local wildcard Kauli Vaast (FRA), in what was both surfers’ first CT Final.
“It took me 10 years to finally win a CT event,” said Pupo. “I’ve been winning on the Challenger Series, and I wanted to get one [CT win] this year, and get a trophy to see my hard work pay off. This trophy is for you my love, my babies, my mom, my dad, everyone on my crew. Thank you so much for all of your support.”
Despite missing the WSL Final 5 by one spot and finishing in sixth place on the CT rankings, Pupo is sure to be a contender in 2023. He celebrates his best year on the CT, since 2011, with his first Final and his first win at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro. The Brazilian started the season off with a third place finish at Billabong Pro Pipeline and had shining moments at events throughout the year, such as the Oi Rio Pro and Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
Vaast came into the Final as the man to beat, having taken down 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), World No. 3 Ethan Ewing (AUS) and Matthew McGilivray (RSA). However, he was up against CT veteran Miguel Pupo (BRA), who put on his best performance of the event, threading multiple long critical tubes, to post multiple excellent scores for a heat total of 17.17. Vaast came close to turning the tide but, uncharacteristically, fell on the exit of a couple of set wave barrels and came short of claiming first Tahiti Pro win for a Tahitian.
“I feel incredible right now,” Vaast said. “I may have lost, but it is what it is. That’s just competition and I’m super happy for Miguel. There are so many emotions with all of this support from Tahiti and in the channel. I want to cry – it’s a good feeling.”
Competitors and Seeding Confirmed for Rip Curl WSL Finals
The Outerknown Tahiti Pro confirmed the competitors and finalists for the Rip Curl WSL Finals. After the 10-stop Championship Tour, the Top 5 men and Top 5 women on the CT rankings will now prepare for the final event, which will be held at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif. from September 8 – 16, 2022.
