Riding the Waves

With hundreds of white, coralline beaches surrounded by endless blue waters, the nation’s connection to surfing is not surprising. Today, the sport is one of the prime sources of entertainment in the Maldives out at sea; almost every island offers surfing, from the Malé Atoll to the southernmost tip of the archipelago. What is surprising is the fact that all this is fairly new, and was not always a local sport.

How It All Started

The story begins in the 1970s, not with a Maldivian surfer, but with a shipwreck. Australian surfers Tony Hussein-Hinde and Mark Scanlon, stranded on their way elsewhere, stumbled upon the perfect waves north of Malé. Intrigued by the potential, they kept this discovery a secret for an astounding 15 years, till Hinde established the very first surf school on the island of Dhonveli.

Maldivian Surf Pioneers

While Hinde is often credited with introducing surfing to the Maldives, interviews suggest some Maldivians already possessed surfing skills. They used traditional “malhufathi” (thin wooden boards) and likely enjoyed wave riding for generations, albeit without the term “surfing” associated with it. In the modern sense, some of the “first” Maldivian pioneers of surfing began to emerge in the 1980’s, including the legendary Ahmed “Ammaday” Aznil.

Tourism & Surfing

With the establishment of more hotels, the 1990s saw the Maldives emerge as a tourist paradise. Secretive no more, the world-class waves began attracting surfers seeking a luxurious escape. Resorts capitalized on this trend, offering surf camps and catering to a new breed of traveller. This helped catapult the Maldivian waves onto a global stage, with the sport becoming closely associated by many with the islands. Today, the option to surf is available at most beaches, including newer island resorts and properties like Hard Rock Hotel Maldives.

Maldives Surfing Association & Championships

The growing popularity of surfing led to the formation of the Maldives Surfing Association in 2001. This governing body has been instrumental in organizing local competitions and promoting surfing to a wider audience. Events like the 2004 Asian Surfing Championships and the 2007 Tavarua-Maldives Surfing Championship further solidified the Maldives’ position as a serious surfing destination.

Today, surfing remains an integral part of the Maldivian tourism industry. Luxury resorts coexist with a growing local surf scene, offering a blend of relaxation, adventure, and riding the perfect wave.