<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Owen, an Olympic bronze medallist and four-time Championship Tour event winner, is upset to not make this year’s event but hopes he will be invited again in future and looks forward to the day he can bring his family to Kuda Huraa. He will be sorely missed in the Sultans lineup, and everyone involved in the event wishes him a speedy recovery.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy is thrilled, however, to announce that Owen’s place in the draw will be filled by two-time event champion <strong>Taj Burrow</strong>, who is making a last-minute dash from Sumatra to join the field.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Australian surfing legend’s renowned aerial manoeuvres have been wowing the world since 1998 when he first joined the Championship Tour. For 14 of the 17 years Taj competed at the top level he ranked in the top 10, showcasing talents that have been the subject of multiple documentaries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I’m so excited to be heading back to the Surfing Champions Trophy,” says Taj, “especially with my family. The place is paradise! We've been a couple of times before and absolutely loved it. Now that the kids are older it’s going to be even more fun. Have you seen the forecast for the week? We’re on!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Taj’s excitement is warranted. The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy runs from August 29 to September 5, and with a solid and sustained run of southerly swell expected to light up the Maldives from September 1st this year’s event is shaping up to deliver some of the best waves seen in Surfing Champions Trophy history!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For surf fans who would like to be part of the action, book online <a href="https://www.fourseasons.com/maldiveskh/offers/maldives-summer-escapes-20-off/" target="_blank">here</a>, contact the Central Reservations Department of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at tel: (960) 66 00 888 or email: <a href="mailto:reservations.mal@fourseasons.com" target="_blank">reservations.mal@fourseasons.com</a></div>