Mohamed Zayaan Zahir
In a poignant moment for the world of surfing, Maldives’ most decorated wave rider, Hussain Areef (Iboo), has declared his retirement from competitive surfing at the national level.
With a record-breaking eight National Surfing titles to his name, Iboo’s decision to step away from competitive surfing marks the end of an era for Maldivian surfing.
Reflecting on the decision, the goofy footed surfer expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Maldives Surfing Association for their support throughout his illustrious career.
In a statement, he remarked, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Maldives Surfing Association, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in my career. The camaraderie among fellow surfers and the shared love for the sport have created bonds that will endure beyond my time in competitive surfing.”
Ibu’s retirement comes on the heels of his latest triumph, winning this year’s Dhivehi Surf League title. His resilience and determination were exemplified by his comeback to competitive surfing after a hiatus following an injury after the 2019 season. He re-joined the national circuit in 2022 mid-season.
Furthermore, he won a Bronze medal for the Maldives twice at the Asian Surfing Championships. He won it first in 2019 and his second was at this year’s championship held in the Maldives.
Despite bidding farewell to the competitive arena, Ibu remains committed to the advancement of the surfing culture in the Maldives.
“I plan to remain involved in promoting the sport, mentoring young talents, and advocating for the preservation of our oceans,” he stated.
“Thank you again for the incredible journey and the support throughout my career. I look forward to crossing paths with you in the lineup or at future surfing events. Wishing you and the entire surfing community continued success and stroke.”
