Maldives – Brazilian surf star Jesse Mendes is the latest name to be announced for the 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy. A former Championship Tour contender and 2018 Triple Crown of Surfing winner, Mendes brings power, poise, and a penchant for alternative boards to the one-of-a-kind event hosted at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.

“It’s such a dream to get the call-up!” says Mendes. “I remember I was with Adriano de Souza when he got his invitation a couple of years ago. He turned to me with the biggest smile and accepted straight away, because he said he didn’t want to give Four Seasons time to change their minds! When surfers who’ve been going to competitions their whole lives react like that, you know an event is special. Now it’s my turn and I can’t wait!”

With six legendary surfers riding a range of boards, and competition times staggered according to age, the Surfing Champions Trophy is as unique as it is popular with the legends who get invited. Competitors square off on single fin, twin fin and (thruster) tri-fin surfboards in the first three rounds, before the grand final is run on the surfer’s board of choice to crown a champion.

While 31-year-old Mendes carved out a career on the back of his powerful turns and prowess in the tube, since stepping away from full-time competition he has focussed on the more stylish side of surfing, doing so riding Album surfboards, which will serve him well at the Surfing Champions Trophy. “Now that the pressure of the tour is gone, I only ride twin fins,” he shares. “They are very forgiving and can generate a lot of speed, so I’m very excited for that division! I’ve already been talking to Matt Parker about the Surfing Champions Trophy — he’s shaped boards for Josh Kerr and Coco Ho here before. We’ve come up with a few ideas together. He knows what to do; I just need to surf!”

While the surfing takes centre stage, the experience at Kuda Huraa runs far deeper, something Mendes is keen to savour. “I’ve been to the Maldives before and loved it,” he says. “But to come back again and surf perfect waves with only two other people out, in a different and fun format, is the best. As for Four Seasons, bring on the food! Nothing beats surfing all day long, then coming back to an amazing meal, with my wife, on a paradise island.”

From the flawless right-handers of Sultans to the laid-back luxury of the garden island, the Surfing Champions Trophy is as much about the setting as it is the surfing. Guests staying at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa during the contest can catch all the action from the Resort’s luxury surf vessels, stationed beside the competition lineup for front-row viewing.

With Mendes and Craig Anderson now confirmed, the excitement is building for a surf showdown like no other. Three more international invitees, plus one Maldivian wildcard, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Make Every Wave Count with The Surf’s Up Package

Whether catching the very first swell or chasing the perfect carve, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa invites guests to ride, relax, and repeat. The Surf’s Up package pairs expert coaching from Tropicsurf pros with guided surf excursions to some of the Maldives’ most iconic breaks, all from the comfort of the idyllic island base. After a morning on the waves, restore body and mind with daily yoga and a rejuvenating massage at The Island Spa. The package also includes daily breakfast, round-trip speedboat transfers, top-tier surf gear, and more.