A unique fund-raising event at Six Senses Laamu, Maldives

Six Senses Watermen

September 30th - October 4th, 2011

Six Senses, a recognized innovator in environmental sustainability, hosts the Maldives’ first gathering of watersports icons and the world’s leading water conservationists. We invite you to join them at this cutting edge of environmental protection and efforts to ensure clean drinking water for all, in one of the most stunning yet precarious aquatic eco-systems on earth.

Watermen, from legendary surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers to divers and free divers will offer clinics to Six Senses Laamu guests while renowned musicians jam on the sandbanks. Conservationists will lead riveting dialogues and debates on the most pressing marine and drinking water issues facing our planet today while chefs keep us sustained with ethically sourced gourmet food, best enjoyed with biodynamic wines from Australia’s Margaret River.

Maldivians have long ridden their now world famous waves on wooden planks. However it was only in 1973 when Australian surfers Tony Hussein-Hinde and Mark Scanlon were shipwrecked among the northern atolls en route between breaks in Sri Lanka and Réunion Island that modern surfing in the Maldives got its start. Now this postcard perfect holiday destination is also the frontline in the battle against rising sea levels. What happens to the Maldives and its 400,000 inhabitants may foretell the future of coastal regions around the globe. For fifteen years, Six Senses has led the effort to protect these precious 1,190 islands draped like a delicate necklace over the equator. Named a ‘Hero of the Environment’ by Time magazine, Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has called for his country to become the world’s first carbon-neutral nation by 2020.

Together, we can keep the Maldives from slipping under the sea. “The future well-being of our planet rests in our convincing people that the environment is worth saving” –  Fabien Cousteau (legendary oceanic explorer, Six Senses Waterman).

This timely gathering will take place at the new Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in remote Laamu Atoll, 150 kilometres north of the equator and famed for its ultrafine soft sand. The closest neighbours here on Olhuveli Island are frolicking dolphins and a full Technicolor spectrum of tropical fish living along Laamu’s pristine coral reef. From Male’ International Airport, Six Senses Laamu is a captivating forty-minute flight over the full spectrum of nautical hues and ringed shaped reefs known as faru, then a twenty minute speed boat ride away. Using local, sustainable materials allowed Six Senses to make only the lightest footprint on this otherwise untouched paradise.

Laamu’s ninety-seven responsibly luxurious villas sit back on the beach nestled among the lush indigenous vegetation or over the clear turquoise lagoon. Each offers complete privacy along with Six Senses signature creature comforts.

Just off their own blue lagoon, surf the majestic ‘Ying Yang’ wave, first ridden by legends Pat O’Connell and Satoshi Sekino in 1996. Kite and windsurfers take note: gusts reach 20 knots between July and November.

Underwater, divers and snorkelers swim in virtually un-swum waters among grey and white tipped reef sharks, speckled stingrays, kaleidoscopic Napoleon wrasse and turtles in Laamu’s thriving coral reef. Boat trips to dive, snorkel, swim and picnic on a sandbank launch daily. After dark, the water party moves to Chill Bar, built on several levels all over water, with a cocktail list more Manhattan than Maldives, prepared with local tropical ingredients so drinks taste as they were originally intended – there’s no essence of pomegranate here! Once the sun’s orange orb sinks beneath the inky sea, gentle jazz gives way to the original spins of visiting celebrity DJs. If you play, take a seat at their only-in-the-Maldives piano, made almost entirely of recycled driftwood.

Annually from this year, Six Senses will bring together on Laamu a highly select group of international athletes and pioneering conservationists, bound together by a deep love of water and an active commitment to making a difference in our world. This year’s Six Senses Watermen gather in support of:

Blue Marine Foundation (www.bluemarinefoundation.com), created by Chris Gorell Barnes, the producer of “The End of the Line”, the defining documentary about over-fishing. This recent initiative works to place 10 % of the world’s oceans into secure marine reserves by 2020, beginning with Chagos Islands, an area rich in marine biodiversity, south of the Maldives, where shark population is still being threatened. Watermen will help secure marine protected areas in the Maldives.

Plant A Fish (www.plantafish.org) is a hands-on marine education and restoration effort led by 3rd generation ocean explorer Fabien Cousteau to engage local communities around the globe through schools, businesses and government agencies to “re-plant” aquatic plants and animals in environmentally stressed areas.

Water Charity (www.watercharity.org), a top ranked non-profit that provides safe drinking water, effective sanitation and health education to those in need. Since 2008, Six Senses contributions and cooperation by banning the importation of plastic water bottles from our properties has given over 350,000 people access to safe drinking water.

Six Senses Water(wo)men is all about loving and enjoying the earth's aquatic wonders among those as passionate as you:

• Keith Teboul (USA) Pro windsurfer, top board shaper and founding partner of +H2O
• Levi Siver (USA) Pro windsurfer, Red Bull rider and founding partner of +H2O
• Pascal Bronnimann (USA) Pro windsurfer, Diamond Head Pro-Am winner and
  founding partner of +H2O
• Jake Miller (USA) Pro windsurfer, freestyle rider and founding partner of +H2O
• Kai Lenny (USA) 17-year-old stand-up-paddle champion
• Duncan Zuur (NED) Wakeboard and kite surf world champion
• Anna von Boetticher (GER) Free dive world champion
• Alex Caizergues (FRA) Kite surf world champion
• Buzzy Kerbox (USA) Surfing World Cup champion and co-inventor of tow-in surfing
• Layne Beachley (AUS) 7 times surfing world champion
• Mark Shinn (GBR) Kite surf world champion
• Terry Simms (USA) 25 years surf pro and one of the finest surf coach in the world
• Herbie Fletcher (USA) Longboard surfing legend and artist
• Tripoli Patterson (USA) Surf champion and New York gallery owner
• Takuji Masuda (JAP) Former national Japanese surfing champion and documentarian
• Jose Garcia (FRA) French actor and kite surfer
• Michaela Merten (GER) German actress
• Denis Simachev (RUS) Russian designer and surfer

Eco Warriors:

• Prahlad & Mitali Kakkar (IND) Indian filmmaker, diver and Reef Watch Marine conservationist co-founder
• Shekkar Kapur (IND) Golden Globe winning Indian filmmaker of the forthcoming Paani exploring Mimbai’s shrinking water supply
• Suhil Seth (IND) Indian TV anchor
• Jane Seymour (GBR) Actress, environmentalist who narrated “Running Dry”
• Jim Thebaut (USA) Filmmaker of “Running Dry”
• Fabien Cousteau (FRA) Third generation French ocean explorer, aquatic filmmaker and founder of Plant-A-Fish
• Dr. Jacqueline Chan (USA) Co-founder of Water Charity
• Dr. Sylvia Earle (USA) Oceanographer, Time magazine’s first “Hero of the Planet”
• Carl Gustaf Lundin (SUI) Director, Global Marine Programme, International Union for the Conservation of Nature
• Dr. Callum Roberts (GRB) Marine conservation biologist and Oceanographer
• Averill Strasser (USA) Founder of Water Charity

 

Additional events and activities

When you are not in the water, Six Senses and the Watermen encourage your participation in any and all of these diverse and stimulating events and activities:

• Marine restoration in the Maldives workshop with Fabien Cousteau.
• Global clean water distribution dialogue led by Water Charity experts.
• Chagos Islands marine conservation update by Blue Marine Foundation.
• Debates among the marine biologists and watersports legends on   our most pressing water issues and the challenges of raise global  awareness and funds.
• Beach clean ups.
• Coral reef restoration with Fabien Cousteau.
• Reef monitoring.
• Recycled flip flop art with Unique Eco.
• Mural painting with the local community and legendary watermen.
• Cinema under the stars, including  iconic watersports movies and groundbreaking   documentaries such as Running Dry and The End of the Line and more…

Six Senses and The Watermen request the pleasure of  your company…

Click HERE for some more information on Six Senses Laamu and Pricing/Packages information and inclusions.

Proceeds from your stay will be donated to Blue Marine Foundation, Plant A Fish and Water Charity. Six Senses Laamu contributes a carbon levy for all guests, hosts and supplies flights which is invested in clean energy projects through The SLOW LIFE Trust. Not only do the projects mitigate carbon through clean energy, but also create social benefits as well as revenue that will be reinvested in more carbon mitigating projects. A 1.5 MW wind turbine in India has been fully funded so far. Please note the Maldives’ 16 % tax to room, food and beverages charges is applicable.

Daily updates from Maldives trip with The Perfect Wave and saltmotion photography

Daily updates from the surf trip onboard Cobia in Maldives.

Day 1...

Maldives, day one… The first day of a surf trip is always something to look forward too. Last night a bunch of guys (and one girl) boarded a boat and settled in to our floating home for the next week or so. An early start in the morning and we were the first ones to reach a spot called Saltans. This is right in the heart of the Maldives surf scene and, although we were the first boat there and managed a good few waves to ourselves, it was not long before several others showed up. With plans to head a lot further afield this trip, we are just biding some  time and waiting for a weather pattern to shift opening up a few more options for us. Having said that, we surfed all day, sure there were a few other folk to share the waves with but sets were in the head high range, the sun was out, the water is like a tropical bath and everyone got more waves than they could have hoped for, the photos tell the story…

Australia from the plane

Pretty good for day one!...

S.M. - Loving Life

BYO Cheering squad

TBS joined the crew...

The first day ends...

Day 2...

Waking up on our boat in the Maldives is hardly what you would call ‘roughing it.’  Eager as can be, we were all up well before the sun and heading out for our first surf. Our crew was the first out on a pretty decent right hand reef break and everyone enjoyed some fun waves before breakfast. We are lucky enough on this trip to be accompanied by one of the best surf guides in the business. While filling our bodies with food he checked all the charts and decided to head a little further afield. His knowledge of the area proving to be spot on when he delivered us to a fast, hollow left with no one else around… What was meant to be a lunchtime surf turned into an all afternoon marathon session with the crew on the boat bring us a soft drink in the line-up! As I said, surfing here is hardly what you would call ‘roughing it…’

J.H. - getting his fill

Daffy in the duck tunnel

catching everyone out...

Chris chalking up another...

Plenty of empty ones...

morning reef view...

Day 3...

Floating around on a surf charter in the Indian Ocean paradise of the Maldives is a damn good place to be. With the swell a little smaller today, we hit up a very exposed reef and scored a load of fun waves. The crew all surfed until their arms ached and the sun forced them back to the boat. With plenty of waves for all to share, a few new friends were made in the lineup and things are getting pretty social on the back deck this evening. With a good few beverages going down, I have a feeling a number of the crew might be missing from the early session in the morning!…

 

Retirement plan...

Maldives colours

Tropical cylinders

Refreshing

Amazing reefs

Day 4...

This crew just want to keep surfing! Everyone is in the water all day, only coming in to eat and slap on some more sunscreen before getting out there for more waves!.. Navigating the reefs here is too dangerous to allow the charter boats to move at night, so normally we are coming in just before sunset to get to a safe anchorage for the evening. Last night was a little different. With a wave just on the other side of the lagoon where the boat is sitting we were able to surf until dark. We figured it was good opportunity to try a little night surfing… The thing about photographing at night is, it’s dark, tricky and was made more difficult by a bit of wind messing up the waves. Still we gave it a go, had a good laugh and I figured I’d share the results for something different…

lighting up a bumpy one

Attempting the impossible

Our french connection

Night time shapes

Mark carving in the dark

Big smiles in the flash

surf stoked crew, heading home...

backscatter...

Day 5...

What an amazing day… four of us started off with a dawn session and surfed until hunger pains sent us back to the boat. The crew split up for the rest of the day, surfing in shifts, some at a hollow right-hander and others at a more mellow but bigger reef. We surfed some of the best waves we have had so far on this trip and everyone is damn happy with how this trip is going. While I write this the rest of the group are sitting on the back deck of the boat, feasting on the chef’s carbo-loaded super meals, which will no doubt put everyone to sleep pretty soon! Can’t wait to do it again tomorrow. With a little luck the Maldives will turn on another special day…

TBS - Text Book

what we came for

Miss Vanessa...

Inside blues

M.R. in the slot

splashy one...

Dr. Daff and the fish...

Day 6...

We woke this morning and took a look at the reef across the lagoon only to see ripples barley breaking. “Relax guys, we’re going to motor north a little this morning, I’ll find you waves…” The reassuring words of a surf guide that cut his milk teeth surfing these breaks. Sure enough a few hours later (and some very random forms of entertainment) we arrived to another perfect tropical reef break. Sets were still coming through in the head high range, the water was crystal blue and the sun was out, perfect!.. The small island in front of the reef provided a great vantage point to photograph from, with thousands of hermit crabs crawling around the rocks to entertain me between sets. Late in the day a large tropical squall pounded us and forced the boat to take shelter in a protected lagoon, it’s amazing how quickly it can go from sunshine and blue to driving rain with howling winds, then back to complete calm again. Bring on tomorrow, we still have more breaks to explore…

J.H. - stylin...

clear, blue, perfect

T.L. - eyeing sections

Maldivian blues...

no distractions

tropical distractions...

Stephan with the war paint on...

Dr. Daff - chillin..

Surf report from Mark at Kandooma Resort, Maldives

Vacationers to Kandooma Resort Maldives were able to enjoy a great session at Tucky Joes (Lucky Joes) on Sunday the 19th of June, 2011. This was no rest day for the surfers. Breaking over reef, with a nice left and holding there size, surfers enjoyed an unexpected barrel session.

Client feedback: May - June 2011

G'day friends,

We have received some great feedback on some of our offered resorts and boats recently and we thought we'd share it! They are all recent - no more than 3 weeks old:

Coconuts Beach Club (Samoa):

"Had the best time at Coconuts Resort. Arrived at 5.30AM. Great breakfast then in the surf with Neil (Manoa tours) at 8.30AM. 4-5 feet perfect lefts mirror glass ocean Just Neil and me for as long as I could take it. The local surfers were out on the next few surfs, and they were very friendly, waves were shared and there were not always a lot to go around. (3 days good surf out of 6,other days too small) Back at mid day for lunch. The food (especially the Tuna) was world class. Mika (he runs the restaurant) is an American chef and every dish was superb (So many choices!). The local Valima beer is cold and good. My wife and kids loved the pool, the sight seeing, the people. Saturday is cultural exchange day at Coconuts and it is very genuine not just a pantomine for tourists. All the villagers are involved with the resort. No Television was suprisingly OK with my girls 8+12 years, exhausted from the daily adventures."

Kim

Chillhouse / Padang Padang Surf Camp:

"I had a very good time for someone travelling to Bali and Sumbawa for the first time. Accomodation was great and food was really great too. Indonesia is really a surfing heaven, and is easy going in most parts too. I would be keen to go back as its so cheap over there! Perfect wave had everything organised for me so all transfers were taken care of, all I had to do was work on surfing better!"

Tom

KM D'Bora (Mentawai Islands surf charter boat):

"It was all good and we are planning next years trip already after only being back for five days... both last years and this years trip on the D'Bora were perfect and the waves outstanding! There may be other good vessels and resorts out there but we were lucky to strike the D'Bora first up. Legend boat, crew and shore staff! The fact that there are added benifets on this vessel by meeting and helping the local Mentawai people setting up fresh water filtration units only adds to the experience of surfing the best waves in the world. One very stoked fella as I know the rest of the team are!! The Perfect Wave have been great as well! Totally professional and friendly service! We will be booking for next year real soon!"

Rick

Huey 1 (Mentawai Islands surf charter boat):

"Rhonda at Perfect Wave travel organised everything from start to finish and the whole trip ran like clockwork. Huey Surf Charters were unreal. The captain Steve Sewell knew the place like the back of his hand and in particular tipped us into spots that were pumping with minimal crowds. I still cant get over how many surfs I had on my own or with only a couple of guys out. I actually surfed Maccaronis on my own for and hour and then another hour with only my son and I. Although the Huey wasnt able to travel, Sewelly organised another boat which was more than adequate, and his staff were fantastic, Karool the cook was awesome and Amon the fist hand couldnt try any harder to help anyone out and never stopped smiling. Overall an awsome experience for my first trip to the Mentawais."

Steve

Holiday Inn Kandooma (Maldives):

"G'day Jamie, Mate thanks for every thing you and Marie done for us in planning our honeymoon/surf trip. The duplex they put us in was true to your word absolutely amazing, right on the take off zone for the right. The staff at the resort are very welcoming and can't do enough for you. We managed to get three good days of surf, two out the front where Charlie and myself were the only ones out exchanging head to head and a half barrels for about 3hrs. The other days were smaller but still really fun. Mate i can't speak highly enough of Charlie as a surf guide, the resort seems to attract some very average surfers but he manages to keep them all happy and get everybody there fair share of waves. The only down fall about the trip was that we had to leave after 10 days, another 10 would of been perfect... Jamie thanks again to you and your staff and as the second trip we've booked through you we have not been disappointed yet. Speak to you soon for the next adventure."

Joel and Janelle

"Hi! We have been to Kandooma with two children (2 and 6 y/o). The Duplex villa was really nice and well located in front of the break! The food was excellent and people from the kid's club very friendly as all the staff. We travelled at the very beginning of the surf season, but the quality of the waves was pretty good, nice people in the water."

Alessandro

"The trip was great, We got waves almost every day and were in the water for around 8 hours. the resort was beautiful as well as the food and drinks, And staff are excellent Thanks a lot for helping with the organisation of everything, Its greatly appreciated. I will be telling my friends about you guys. Kind Regards"

David

Hudhuran Fushi (Maldives):

"A great surf holiday is when your wife enjoys it even more than yourself and is happy to do it again!"

Rick

Tengirri (Mentawai Islands surf charter boat):

"Hi Rhonda Would guess the other guys have probably been in touch by now but I just wanted to drop my two cents worth in regarding our trip onboard the Tengirri. Where to begin… right from the start with the pick up at the airport the guys where more than accommodating taking me into town to pick up some gear before dropping me of at the hotel . The welcome onto the boat was great the crew keen and friendly. We were made to feel comfortable and at home right off the bat . Phil and the crew dropped us straight into the surf the next day and every day for the whole 11 days. Phil ever ready to motivate us oldies into the water. Fantastic waves ,fantastic food and fantastic service I doubt that there would be more you could ask for . The food a great mix of western and Indonesian and never the same twice,quite the achievement on a boat. I can recommend Donald’s sashimi ability to any one, the tuna a delight under the beer tent. I feel that I can speak for all when I say we would highly recommend travelling through the Mentawai Islands with this Crew I would appreciate you passing my thanks to Phil, Oscar, Donald, Inn and Benny for providing such a memorable holiday."

Brett

Haira (Maldives - Male Atolls surf charter boat):

"We had an amazing experience in the Maldives! The surf was perfect the whole time and we even managed to score a few epic sessions with just our crew out. It truly is a remarkable place, the captain and crew were great and the snorkelling was fantastic too. We will definitely return! Shukuriyya :)"

Michael

"Thanks so much!! Counting down the seconds till i can get myself over there again! Would definatly use Perfect Wave (Particular thanks to Jamie!) again.. Food = Great, Waves = Amazing, Location = Beautiful and couldnt ask for more from our surf guide, Brian. (knew where and when to get the waves, easygoing, and on top of that a good, fun guy) Thankyou ALL again."

Sean

Hamathi (Maldives - Male Atolls surf charter boat):

"Hi Rhonda It was awesome! Thank you very much. My arms are still in pain from all the paddling. The crew and Marty were great. Keep us in the loop on any other interesting trips you have going"

Scott

"The trip was great, surfed until my arms couldnt move. Clearest water i have ever been in and the amount of marine life amazed me. The boat is great, plenty of room and great crew."

Aaron