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Josh Kerr Continues to Dominate with Twin Fin Win
Tom Bennett
Australia's Josh Kerr has made it two for two at Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy winning the second round twin-fin division in pumping 4-to-5 foot surf at Sultans. Kerr is now sitting pretty for a Finals Day berth at the world's most luxurious surfing event.
In the twin-fin Final, Kerr faced off with an in-form Alejo Muniz who had dominated his way though to the Final. It was a match-up of the two standouts all day, but Kerr saved his best until last, scoring an epic heat total of 17.26, including a near perfect 9.63 (the highest of the event so far). The judges rewarded the former Championship Tour (CT) competitor for his impressive combination of tube riding, power turns and smooth flowing style.
"I've been surfing on a twin-fin so much recently that I was almost more nervous surfing today because it was expected that I'd do well," Kerr said. "Fortunately, from my first heat today I fell into a good rhythm. Everything felt good, the waves, my board, my surfing, the setting - it all felt right. I was so pumped to get out there when we walked up today. The surf was amazing. It was just clean and perfect. Coming up against Alejo was always going to be a tough battle. He is still living and breathing competitive surfing on the QS so he is probably the most prepared competitor here plus he is ripping so hard. I just seemed to have a lot going my way. I'm stoked and now I'm about to go and share a few more waves with my daughter - we're living the dream."
The youngest competitor in the field, Muniz is currently sitting in 7th place on the Qualifying Series (QS) with the major goal of requalifying for the elite Championship Tour (CT). With this being his current mindset, his competitive tenacity is evident and his performances have been impressive throughout the event. Although he was a standout in the twin-fin division, he was unable to stop Kerr in the Final. Regardless, Muniz got the chance to surf with one of his heroes in perfect waves.
"Josh has always been one of my favorite surfers so sharing a twin-fin Final with him was so cool," Muniz said. "I have barely surfed on a single-fin or a twin-fin my whole life so it has been so cool surfing on these boards since being over here - I think I'll be surfing them a lot more now. They are so different and fun. I didn't expect all of these guys to be that competitive and I thought I would have the upper hand but when they paddle out, they have the fire in their eyes which is really cool to see. I'm just having an amazing time here with my family. It's pretty much a honeymoon for my wife and I as we got married two weeks ago. Except this honeymoon has perfect waves with no one else out, which is amazing."
Local wildcard Abdulla "Fuku" Areef had the tough task of taking on eventual winner Josh Kerr in the second twin-fin Semifinal. The Maldivian surfing legend came short of taking down Kerr but was stoked to have the experience at one of his favourite home breaks.
"I grew up watching these guys on surfing movies so it is so cool competing against them and surfing with them all week," Areef said. "They are all so cool and down to earth which is nice to see. I am just really soaking it all up and not worrying about the results. I love the wave at Sultans so it's cool to get the line all to ourselves. It's an incredible opportunity for me and I'm so grateful to Four Seasons Kuda Huraa and Tropicsurf for this."
The opening heat of the day was totally stacked with 2001 WSL Champion C.J. Hobgood coming up against Alejo Muniz and fellow former CT competitor Freddy Patacchia Jr.. All three surfers had to surf out of their skin to make the heat and, in the end, it was Patacchia who was eliminated in 5th place. Freddy will be back when competition resumes with the thruster division. Floridian goofyfoot Hobgood eventually went down to Muniz in the Semifinals finishing the twin-fin division in equal 3rd.
Stay tuned as Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy moves into the Finals with competitors going hi-fi in the thruster division.
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Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy
Josh Kerr Wins World's Most Luxurious surfing event.
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Josh Kerr defeats Alejo Muniz and wins the 2018 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy.
Josh Kerr wins the second round twin-fin division in classic conditions at the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy.
Kerzy overcomes C.J. Hobgood in the opening round of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy.