Amassing an array of national championships to his name, along with a string of WSL Qualifying Series (QS) event appearances, the 2018 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy wildcard nomination has been awarded to Abdulla “Fuku” Areef.
Local legend Fuku will be contesting against world-renowned professional surfers, Bruce Irons, Alejo Muniz, C.J Hobgood, Josh Kerr and Freddy Patacchia Jr.
Unfortunately for his fans, the two-time reigning champion Taj Burrow, is set to miss the competition due to a knee injury.
The invite-only Surfing Champions Trophy tests skill across single-fin, twin-fin, and triple-fin thruster divisions with invitations granted to surfing’s elite, to watch as contestants battle it out for a chance to be crowned champion as well as the tidy sum of USD 25,000 offered as a cash prize.
The 2018 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy event is set to commence on the 6th of August through to the 14th where surfers return head to the infamous right-hander 'Sultans' located at Thanburudhoo, Kaafu Atoll.
In 2016, Fuku’s older brother, Hussain Areef 'Iboo' contested in the 6th installment of the series, with Ismail Miglal ‘Kuda Issey’ competing the following year.