When I got the email that I won I thought for sure it was a scam. First thing I did is went to Linkedin to cross-reference names… these scammers did their homework it seemed. Then I looked up contact forms and domain names for the brands and parties involved… again, accurate, hmm. And when I thought about it, there was a vague memory of leaving an Insta comment, or entering my email address somewhere? And a distant recollection of thinking, “Damn, that’s a crazy prize package, I wonder if people actually win these things…” A trip for two on the Maavahi, a Maldives surf charter boat, flights included, 8 days of surfing, 3 catered meals a day, air-conditioned cabins, knowledgeable surf guides, plus fins, leashes, and bags from FCS to use along the way.
Turns out people do actually win these things. And in this instance, that person was me, and by association with me, my good friend and fellow media-guy Sean Lucey. I called him in early January with the news, the night before we were set to leave on a film/photo/snowboard trip to Japan (watch “Legends of the Konbini” on Youtube if you’re curious what we got up to). After recounting the absurdity of the prize, Sean responded, “Wow, I can’t believe you’re going to the Maldives.” He had missed that the trip was for two, and that he was the one coming along. (I should add here that while my wife doesn’t surf or love boats, she was understandably miffed that I didn’t at least offer her a token invite, sooo lesson learned on that one. Sorry Jayne, and take note fellas…)
Cut to six-plus months later, after much logistics, back and forth on scheduling, multiple board-choice crises, and over 30 hours of travel, Sean, myself, and our friend Amos Culbertson (proprietor of Greasepoint Workwear in Portland, OR) landed at Kaadedhdoo Airport in the Maldives Southern Atolls. It was hot, bright, and very green, supposedly swell was on the way.
To be honest, I was super nervous. I had been dealing with chronic shoulder pain for over a year, and after copious PT, acupuncture, and chiropractic visits, plus one perfectly placed cortisone shot, I was feeling better than I had in a long time. Would it hold? Would I be destined to sit on the boat, drowning my tears in many Coronas, while the rest of the guests surfed perfect waves within eyesight? Secondly, I was nervous for Amos. It was all gravy for Sean and I, we weren’t paying squat to be there. If the conditions were trash, or there were 50 people at every spot, we could chill, hit a snorkel, a read, and a tan. But I had convinced Amos to pony up a good chunk of change, as well as to leave the helm of his small business AND his young daughter at home with mom. My therapist told me that Amos is an adult, and that I’m not responsible for his decisions, but I was at least partially responsible for this one, and therefore needed the juice to be worth the squeeze.
I had absolutely nothing to worry about. We literally didn’t surf with anyone not on our boat the entire trip. Multiple sessions every day, overhead plus on most days, , rights, lefts, and a-frames… and not a soul out. An actual dream trip, and for a few middle-aged cold water surfers who live hours inland, as good as we could have asked for. Additionally, the body behaved. After the first couple warm water seshes I was moving like a well-oiled 40-year old diesel engine (slow but reliable).
As I wanted to stay present, I just brought a little point and shoot film camera, rather than my usual digital distractions. I made a few lineup shots, but I was more enamored by the boat, the staff, and the culture, colour, and landscapes of the small islands we were able to visit. To be frank, I’m a little mixed up on the ethical complexities and paradoxes of travel, especially to environmentally at risk locations like this one. At the same time, I felt so much joy and connection, both with the rich natural environment of the Maldives, and the people who call this place their home. I don’t think I’ll find a solution to these complexities, but I now have a genuine love for this part of the world, and I do advise others to see it for themselves. Also, the surfing is sick.
I want to sincerely thank our captain Amir, Maavahi’s owner Mickey, who joined us on the first leg of our trip, our extremely talented and endlessly patient chef Vijay, our reliable and always stoked dinghy driver Jay, the ultimate hype-man and surf guide Hoops, and the rest of the staff. Additionally, thank you FCS, Tracks Magazine, World Surfaris, and the other guests on board for making this trip everything it could be.
