Ali Thameem
Maldives Surfing Association has signed an MOU with L.Maabaidhoo Council to host one of the three events of Dhivehi Surf League 2025.
The newly introduced event “Kerandoo” is the second of its kind in Laamu Atoll, a region MSA describes as “renowned for its world-class waves and growing surf culture”.
The event is a substitute for the recently called-off Kalhegalekoda event of DSL. Kerandoo will take place in early September on the northern coast of Maabaidhoo, where a persistent right-hand wave dubbed the “Machine” breaks.
MSA portrays the Machine as “one of the most beautiful and high-performance waves in the country”, describing the barrels as “fast, hollow and perfectly peeling”.
Part of the Memorendum of Understanding signed today includes Maabaidhoo Council – as the title sponsor of the event – to include kids’ “surf tryouts” and other community engagement initiatives during the event. MSA stated the aim of allowing children to experience surfing at an early age is to discover potential future surfing athletes.
“Laamu Atoll has some of the best waves in the country. Bringing competition to L. Maabaidhoo is something the surf community – especially the people of Maabaidhoo – has been looking forward to for a long time. We strongly believe that a DSL event in Laamu Atoll will spark new talent and hope for the surfers in the region,” Mohamed Sobah, President of MSA.
Kerandoo is the second of the three events of Dhivehi Surf League. The first event ‘Mulikolhu Raalhugandu’ is scheduled for July in Muli, the capital of Meemu Atoll. Following the Maabaidhoo event, Dhivehi Surf League will return to the capital Male’ for its final event of the year; Rannamaari Challenge.
The exact dates of the DSL events of the year are yet to be disclosed. But to compete in Rannamaari Challenge, surfers must have taken part in both Mulikolhu and Kerandoo.
