Soul Surfing
Rising and falling in harmony with the waves brings your awareness to the here and now, the power of the ocean and of lunar pulls and the ebb and flow of the tide. Some say the experience is spiritual. It’s no surprise that soul surfing is on the rise.
Soul surfers care less about what they score on the wave as gracefully merging with the energy of it. They also value the environment and appreciate the ocean is worth fighting for. After all it is not just a playground but also a respite. When surfing, you’re immersed in nature and feel connected to the sea and tides that influence the waves you ride.
Enjoying the environment becomes an obligation to protect it, starting by choosing a non-toxic surfboard. In partnership with leading surf pioneer Tropicsurf, guests at Six Senses Laamu and Six Senses Fiji surf on Firewire’s eco-friendly Timbertek boards. Firewire remains the only global surfboard production to carry the Sustainable Surf Ecoboard certification and is headed up by 11-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater.
At Six Senses Laamu, surfers have the surrounding surf breaks almost to themselves, bar one or two of the resort’s hosts who may head out on the water on their days off. For newly-seduced surfers, a beginner’s break – ‘The Shoulder’ – is just off the shore, a soft-rolling wave that is a direct paddle from the villas.
The resort is also located within view of one of the best right-hand barrels in the Maldives, ‘Yin Yang’. There are a few other gems in the crown, such as the left-hand Petrol’s, which is ideal for intermediate surfers. Tropicsurf guides are experts in local forecasting to advise when and where to go.
April to October is prime time with the biggest and best swells delivering fairly consistent offshore winds. Experienced surfers can enjoy hollow powerful waves, while intermediate surfers are still able to relish sheltered reefs with more forgiving consequences. The shoulder season between November and December can be less reliable and December to March is counted as off season, when the wind direction is less favorable.
However, between November and March, the shoulder season at Six Senses Fiji is a good option for intermediate surfers looking for mellow peelers. This time of year traditionally sees more manageable surf in the waist to chest high zone with lighter winds and thinner crowds, ensuring a massive wave count. It is also a great time to go for beginners as the protected lagoons form the most beautiful backdrop for learning the basic skills required to catch your first wave. From there, ‘Swimming Pools’ is a 15-minute boat ride away and renowned for crystal clear waters and the additional bonus of sharing the waves with a resident turtle or dolphin.
For pros, it’s all about ‘Cloudbreak’, a feature on the World Surf League tour and favorite of Kelly Slater. This is where you can experience the raw energy of the South Pacific, yet still only 15 minutes from the resort. Fiji’s peak swell season runs from April to October, where regular offshore southeasterly trade winds produce the best barrels.
The sustainable surfing vibe is reflected throughout Six Senses Fiji through the active management of energy, waste, water, purchasing and chemical usage. The resort has the first micro grid in the world using Tesla batteries, and projects include tree reforestation on site to offset wood used in construction and also coral replanting to promote marine life and protect the local reef environment.
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