The Biggest Day Ever Surfed in the Maldives…Maybe (Watch)

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Sep 2, 2024 2:17 PM ET

The rebirthed, can’t-escape-it-anywhere (thanks to Barry Keoghan’s iconic nude scene in Saltburn), "Murder on the Dancefloor" by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, was blasting through the channel at Sultan’s, when local legend, Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil told me:

“This is the biggest Sultans I've ever seen. I can’t remember a time when it was this massive. I mean, it’s not huge, by, like, regular standards, but for Maldives standards, this is big, And these sets…it’s bombing out there. Like huge.”

After the single-fin event the following day – congrats Jadson Andre – today was supposed to be twin-fin day. That’s normally how they do it. Then the third day is thrusters. But because of the swell forecast, the contest organizers decided to break protocol, and go with the thrusters. Better chance of the surfers blowing up…and not getting injured.

“This is one of those days I’m going to remember forever! It’s hard to explain how I’m feeling right now!“ I got to surf a heat with Carissa Moore, said Jaddy, five-time world champion and gold medalist. "She’s the best."

“After that, Mikey February is as good as it gets on a single fin and we had a great heat together. Then a final against Taj Burrow? Come on! We surfed so many heats on tour together, but when he retired eight years ago I never thought this would happen again. Today was a special day.”

Mikey Feb, who took home the win, continued:

“My first overseas surf trip was to the Maldives when I was 14 years old. xMy parents scraped up all the money they could to get me here, and now to be here at the Four Seasons, competing with all these amazing surfers, is pretty special. I’m pinching every time I look around or I’m in the water.”

Taj Burrow, who got second in the single-fin division the day before, couldn’t stop frothing on how good the conditions were:

“Oh my gosh it is absolutely cooking out there,” he said. Then after receiving his oversized check: “I think I’ll retire from the jersy after this event. Best event ever. I’m glad I had some extra foam today. I never thought Sultans would get that big. I never thought I’d use a step-up like that.”

Carissa Moore, who recently retired, was asked by Taj if he had any advice on what to do once you hang up the jersey:

“Get invited to this event…”

Thruster Division Results

1. Mikey February (ZAF) 1000pts

2. Taj Burrow (AUS) 900pts

3. Carissa Moore (HAW) equal with Jeremy Flores (FRA) 800pts

5. Jadson Andre (MDV) equal with Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil (MDV) 700pts

1. Taj Burrow (AUS) 1800pts

1. Mikey February (ZAF) 1800pts

3. Jadson Andre (BRA) 1700pts

4. Carissa Moore (HAW) 1500pts

4. Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil (MDV) 1500pts4. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 1500pts