Jadson Andre Shines in Opening Round of Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy

Saturday 7th of September 2024

Jadson Andre made a memorable debut at the 2024 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, clinching a spectacular win in the opening round. His performance, marked by impressive barrel rides and stylish maneuvers on single fin surfboards, set the stage for what promises to be an exciting competition.

The world-renowned event, celebrated for its luxury and high-caliber surfing, kicked off with a bang at Sultans. The first day saw an array of surfing talent showcasing their skills, with the judges particularly impressed by those who combined smooth barrel riding with sharp turns.

Two-time event champion Taj Burrow was one of the standout competitors, marveling at the perfect conditions. “Oh my gosh it is absolutely cooking out there,” Burrow said, clearly excited by the prime waves rolling in. Despite the ideal surf, it was Andre who ultimately outperformed Burrow in a close final, earning him the top spot on the leaderboard.

The Surfing Champions Trophy features contests in single fin, twin fin, and thruster divisions. Competitors’ start times are staggered by age, with Burrow, Flores, Andre, Agil, Moore, and February all set to compete in varying intervals throughout the competition.

Andre made a striking impression from the start, catching the first wave of the event on a custom 5’9” Ricardo Martins board. His deep backhand tube ride scored an impressive 8.50, showcasing his exceptional wave selection and control despite being new to single fin boards. He maintained a strong lead as Carissa Moore and local wildcard Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil battled for second place, with Agil eventually edging out Moore.

Burrow faced tough competition in the first round, going head-to-head with Jeremy Flores and Mikey February. Flores scored high with a 9.10 for a perfectly executed double barrel but fell short without a backup wave. Burrow and February, both excelling with deep tube rides, advanced to the next round.

In the semi-finals, Andre faced off against February in a thrilling match that came down to the wire. Andre’s scores of 8.27 and 7.33 set a high bar, leaving February needing a near-perfect wave to win. Despite a strong performance and a 9.0 score, February fell just short, and Andre moved on to the final.

Burrow dominated his semi-final, delivering consistent high scores and a remarkable 9.63 for the best tube ride of the day. His performance secured him a place in the final, where he would face Andre in what was expected to be a dramatic conclusion to the single fin division.

As the final began, Andre took advantage of a promising wave, which he later described as possibly the best barrel of his life. “I felt a special connection to my board, this wave, this place. After that, I thought I was going to win,” Andre said. His prediction proved accurate as he took the lead early, and despite Burrow’s efforts, the ocean conditions favored Andre, who maintained his lead throughout.

Burrow reflected on the final with a mix of admiration and disappointment. “The final was a bit of a blur to be honest,” he laughed. “Jadson was a competitive machine. I had a chance to beat him at the end but ended up falling short. Single fins are challenging, but they make the good rides even more rewarding. I’m thrilled for Jadson though; he was ripping.”

Andre was ecstatic after his victory, noting the special nature of the day. “I got to surf with Carissa Moore and Mikey February, then compete against Taj Burrow. It was a special day, one I will remember forever.”

The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy continues from August 29 to September 5, with the twin fin division up next. The forecast promises excellent conditions, so stay tuned for more updates.

Single Fin Division Results:

Jadson Andre (BRA)

Taj Burrow (AUS)

Mikey February (ZAF) and Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil (MDV)

Carissa Moore (HAW) and Jeremy Flores (FRA)

2024 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy Leaderboard:

Jadson Andre (BRA) - 1000pts

Taj Burrow (AUS) - 900pts

Mikey February (ZAF) - 800pts

Ahmed “Ammaday” Agil (MDV) - 800pts

Carissa Moore (HAW) - 700pts

Jeremy Flores (FRA) - 700pts