Junior female surfers compete for first time in National Junior Surfing Championships

The National Junior Surfing Championships 2025 have begun with a historic milestone with the inclusion of female junior surfers for the first time.

While women have competed in the open division since 2021, this marks the first time in Maldivian surfing history that junior female surfers have taken part in a national-level competition.

The championships, which began yesterday afternoon, feature four categories: women’s under-18, men’s under-14, under-16, and under-18. Following the junior event, participants will also compete in the Rannamaari Challenge, scheduled to begin on Saturday.

Six surfers are competing in the women’s junior category. In the opening round, Aliya Latheef, Imani Eliza Shian, and Alaika Abdul Aleem surfed in the first heat, with Aliya scoring a total of 10 points; 6 on her first wave and 4 on her second; to secure a place in the final. Imani earned 4.70 points, and Alaika scored 1.50.

The second heat saw Mariyam Zoha Maadih, Aisha Thaaraa Waasif, and Sumayya Mariyam Athif compete. Zoha topped the heat with 7 points; 4 from her third wave and 3 from her second followed by Thaaraa with 5.50 and Sumayya with 2.50 points.

Aliya and Zoha have qualified for the final heat, while the remaining four surfers will contest the semi-finals for the last two spots.

The men’s under-18 division features 16 competitors, while 14 surfers are competing in the under-16 category and four in the under-14 division. The championship runs until tomorrow.