BANGKOK, Thailand, June 16, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A recognized innovator in environmental sustainability and the pioneer of intelligent luxury, Six Senses Resorts & Spas will host Six Senses Watermen, the Maldives' first gathering of water sports icons and the world's leading water conservationists from September 30 to October 4, 2011 at the company's newest resort, Six Senses Laamu.
With a list of professional surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers to champion divers and free divers, Watermen will offer clinics to resort guests while renowned musicians including James Morrison jam on the sandbanks. Conservationists will lead riveting dialogues and debates on the most pressing marine and drinking water issues facing the planet today while chefs keep everyone sustained with ethically sourced gourmet food, best enjoyed with biodynamic wines from Australia's Margaret River.
As a palm-fringed and postcard perfect destination, the Maldives boasts an array of breaks and a rich, kaleidoscopic underwater eco-system that have lured international surfers and aquatics for more than 35 years. Global industrial growth, most of it very far away, has brought the Maldives to the frontline in the battle against rising sea levels. What happens to the Maldives and its 400,000 inhabitants may foretell the future of coastal regions around the globe. For 15 years, the resort company has led the effort to protect these precious 1,190 islands.
From this year forward, Six Senses Watermen offers an innovative, meaningful opportunity to play in the Indian Ocean among living legends while playing a unique part to move our global community, in the words of Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and Time magazine Hero of the Environment, "from apathy to action."
This timely gathering will take place at the new Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in remote Laamu Atoll, 150 km (93 miles) north of the equator and famed for its ultrafine soft sand. The closest neighbors on Olhuveli Island are frolicking dolphins and a full Technicolor spectrum of tropical fish living along Laamu's pristine coral reef.
Laamu's 97 responsibly luxurious villas sit back on the beach nestled among the lush, indigenous vegetation or over the clear turquoise lagoon. Each offers complete privacy along with Six Senses signature creature comforts. Using local, sustainable materials allowed Six Senses to make only the lightest footprint on this otherwise untouched paradise.
Word has already spread around the world, luring passionate legends and world leaders in conservation to become Six Senses Watermen, many from the United States including Levi Siver (USA, +H2O windsurf wave riding champion and surfer), Jake Miller (USA, +H2O windsurf wave riding and freestyle rider), Herbie Fletcher (USA, Longboard surfing legend and artist), Archie Kalepa (USA, Legendary watermen, Hawaiian lifeguard captain), Buzzy Kerbox (USA, World Cup surf winner, co-inventor of tow-in surfing with Laird Hamilton and longtime face of Ralph Lauren Polo Sport), Kai Lenny (USA, Maui born 17 year old stand up paddling world champion and Naish protégé), Tripoli Patterson (USA, surf champion and New York gallerist), Terry Sims (USA, 25 year surf pro and one of the finest surf coaches in the world), Averill Strasser and Dr. Jacqueline Chan (USA, Founders of WaterCharity), and Jim Thebault (USA, Documentary filmmaker of Running Dry and hydro-philanthropist). Redirect here for complete list.
All these luminaries and more will gather at Six Senses Laamu for seven days in support of the following international charities:
Blue Marine Foundation (www.bluemarinefoundation.com), created by Chris Gorell Barnes, the producer of "The End of the Line", the defining documentary about over-fishing. This foundation seeks to raise the area of ocean under protection from 1 % to 10 % by 2020. They began by creating the largest fully protected area in the world in the Chagos Archipelago, an area rich in marine biodiversity, just south of the Maldives. Watermen will help Blue Marine Foundation to continue this important work in the Indian Ocean, helping to secure marine protected areas in the Maldives.
Plant A Fish (www.plantafish.org) is a hands-on marine education and restoration effort led by 3rd generation ocean explorer Fabian Cousteau to engage local communities around the globe through schools, businesses and government agencies to "re-plant" aquatic plants and animals in environmentally stressed areas.
Water Charity (www.watercharity.org), a top ranked non-profit that provides safe drinking water, effective sanitation and health education to those in need. Since 2008, Six Senses contributions and cooperation by banning the importation of plastic water bottles from our properties has given over 350,000 people access to safe drinking water.
When not in the water, Six Senses Watermen will host diverse and stimulating events including a marine restoration in the Maldives workshop with Fabien Cousteau, Chagos Islands marine conservation update by Blue Marine Foundation and debates among the marine biologists and water sports legends on the most pressing water issues and challenges to raise global awareness and funds. Outdoor activities like beach cleanups and coral reef restorations will balance out the intellectual while a mural painting workshop will engage the local community alongside the legendary Watermen. After dark, the lights will shine on cinematic features under the stars, featuring groundbreaking environmental documentaries Running Dry, The End of the Line and more.
Packages for like-minded water enthusiasts to participate in this exciting, one-of-a-kind gathering are available for five nights (US$6,000 for two people or US$4,400 single) and seven nights (US$9,900 for two people or US$ 7,400 single) including all breakfasts and dinners, the Barefoot Gala Dinner, a limited number of clinics or spa treatments and round trip seaplane transfer flights.
Proceeds from guests' stays will be donated to Blue Marine Foundation, Plant A Fish and Water Charity and Six Senses Carbon Offset Programme will offset international flights to the Maldives.
North American Media Contacts:
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About Six Senses Resorts & Spas
Six Senses Resorts & Spas is a management and development company established in 1995, which manages resorts under the brand names Soneva, Six Senses and Evason, plus Six Senses Spas. With attention to detail and a focus on the reality of the destination together with modern architecture, each of the resorts provides generous personal space and presents an uncompromised standard of intelligent luxury. Six Senses offers individual style with a unique and diverse design personality, and a strong sense of community. With its SLOW LIFE philosophy, Six Senses core values are Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wholesome Learning-Inspiring-Fun-Experiences.
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