Surfing legend Iboo appointed as national coach

Maldives’ record-breaking eight-time national champion, Hussain Areef (Iboo), has been appointed as the head coach of the national surfing teams, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.

Ibu’s transition to coaching comes after bidding farewell to his remarkable three decades of competitive surfing, just last year.

With eight national championship titles and two bronze medals at the Asian Surfing Championship, the Surfing Association is eager to witness the impact of his extensive experience in nurturing local athletes and contributing to the local surfing community.

Ibu will be replacing his former coach, South Africa’s Clyde Martin, who recently completed a very successful one year term with the Surfing Association of Maldives.

Clyde was introduced as the head judge of Dhivehi Surf League 2022 and was later announced as the national coach on November 13, 2022.

Speaking to Maldivian local news magazine “Mihaaru” after the 47 years old Ibu won Bronze Medal at the Asian Championship last year, Clyde described him as an exceptionally smart athlete and it will take years to develop a surfer like him in the Maldives.