Maldive surfers are organizing around a potential threat to surf access on Thamburudhoo Island, home to two of the area's best surf spots in the Maldives.
The Government of Maldives represented by the Maldives
National Defense Force (MNDF) has proposed to develop a tourist resort on
the island of Thanburudhoo through a lease to a third party. Thamburudhoo is the only island with two world class
waves - the left, popularly known as “Honky's” and the right known as “Sultans”.
The
surf points at Thamburodhoo have been pivotal in the development of surfing in
the country and have for many years been an integral part of the businesses of
many small live-aboard safari vessel operators and surf excursion organizers.
If the development goes ahead the local surfers, the
live-aboard surf safari vessel operators, local guest houses that organize
surfing excursions and the tourists staying at other resorts will completely
lose access to the last accessible surf location with both a left hander and
right hander.
Read a news report about the issue here and stay tuned as Save The Waves develops more action to save these waves in the Maldives.