As Maldives Surfing Association’s annual national surfing contest took place last week at the Varunulaa Raalhugandu, something was out of place: why has the Rannamaari Challenge always been a male-dominated contest? Can the answer be found in a cultural context?Fathimath Nazeer Jamal, or Chuppi as she is popularly called among family and friends, thinks so, though she disagrees that gender may be the root cause of all human suffering. “It’s still seen as the idle man’s sport,” she says. “Even now many parents frown upon it, though there has been a recent change in attitude. We can now see that surfing is becoming an important contributor to Maldivian tourism as well,” says 22-year-old Chuppi, one of the few female surfers who can be found braving the waves off Lonuziyaaraiy Kolhu.Female surfers may be a rare breed here, but Chuppi struggles to continue the ‘Aloha tradition’, even if it’s alone. “I do it for enjoyment. I will never take part in a competition.” Though the boys have always been supportive on the line-up, being a solo surfer has its disadvantages. Chuppi says she finds it inconvenient most of the time to get into the water alone because the few female surfing partners she had for companionship are busy with other engagements.An artist by profession, Chuppi, with her wholesome Maldivian looks, is also the “Face of Maldives” as she has appeared as Cover Girl for some brochures by Maldives Tourism Promotion Board. She has also appeared in various other advertisements, among them a BIG outdoor screen TV advertisement promoting wedding receptions at Central Hotel in Male. What are Chuppi’s plans for the present and the future? She says that she would like to hold her own solo art gallery displaying her works.“I also want to undergo professional training at the Hotel School,” she says. In addition to that, she plans to continue her modeling career though she was discreet as to what kind of area she wanted to specialize in. “With her all-Maldivian looks, she can easily become a make-up or hairstyle model,” commented a local beautician. “But then one should never limit one’s opportunities.”Chuppi, whose friends affectionately claim is ‘fussy in what she wears’, says that she does not have a particular preference in her style. “I would like to look hippy, junky and glamorous at the same time!” she says.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Living the sunny side of lifePolitics can drive you insane, says Fathimath Nazeer Jamal. But the ‘Face of Maldives’ has other (environmental) plans…
As Maldives Surfing Association’s annual national surfing contest took place last week at the Varunulaa Raalhugandu, something was out of place: why has the Rannamaari Challenge always been a male-dominated contest? Can the answer be found in a cultural context?Fathimath Nazeer Jamal, or Chuppi as she is popularly called among family and friends, thinks so, though she disagrees that gender may be the root cause of all human suffering. “It’s still seen as the idle man’s sport,” she says. “Even now many parents frown upon it, though there has been a recent change in attitude. We can now see that surfing is becoming an important contributor to Maldivian tourism as well,” says 22-year-old Chuppi, one of the few female surfers who can be found braving the waves off Lonuziyaaraiy Kolhu.Female surfers may be a rare breed here, but Chuppi struggles to continue the ‘Aloha tradition’, even if it’s alone. “I do it for enjoyment. I will never take part in a competition.” Though the boys have always been supportive on the line-up, being a solo surfer has its disadvantages. Chuppi says she finds it inconvenient most of the time to get into the water alone because the few female surfing partners she had for companionship are busy with other engagements.An artist by profession, Chuppi, with her wholesome Maldivian looks, is also the “Face of Maldives” as she has appeared as Cover Girl for some brochures by Maldives Tourism Promotion Board. She has also appeared in various other advertisements, among them a BIG outdoor screen TV advertisement promoting wedding receptions at Central Hotel in Male. What are Chuppi’s plans for the present and the future? She says that she would like to hold her own solo art gallery displaying her works.“I also want to undergo professional training at the Hotel School,” she says. In addition to that, she plans to continue her modeling career though she was discreet as to what kind of area she wanted to specialize in. “With her all-Maldivian looks, she can easily become a make-up or hairstyle model,” commented a local beautician. “But then one should never limit one’s opportunities.”Chuppi, whose friends affectionately claim is ‘fussy in what she wears’, says that she does not have a particular preference in her style. “I would like to look hippy, junky and glamorous at the same time!” she says.
As Maldives Surfing Association’s annual national surfing contest took place last week at the Varunulaa Raalhugandu, something was out of place: why has the Rannamaari Challenge always been a male-dominated contest? Can the answer be found in a cultural context?Fathimath Nazeer Jamal, or Chuppi as she is popularly called among family and friends, thinks so, though she disagrees that gender may be the root cause of all human suffering. “It’s still seen as the idle man’s sport,” she says. “Even now many parents frown upon it, though there has been a recent change in attitude. We can now see that surfing is becoming an important contributor to Maldivian tourism as well,” says 22-year-old Chuppi, one of the few female surfers who can be found braving the waves off Lonuziyaaraiy Kolhu.Female surfers may be a rare breed here, but Chuppi struggles to continue the ‘Aloha tradition’, even if it’s alone. “I do it for enjoyment. I will never take part in a competition.” Though the boys have always been supportive on the line-up, being a solo surfer has its disadvantages. Chuppi says she finds it inconvenient most of the time to get into the water alone because the few female surfing partners she had for companionship are busy with other engagements.An artist by profession, Chuppi, with her wholesome Maldivian looks, is also the “Face of Maldives” as she has appeared as Cover Girl for some brochures by Maldives Tourism Promotion Board. She has also appeared in various other advertisements, among them a BIG outdoor screen TV advertisement promoting wedding receptions at Central Hotel in Male. What are Chuppi’s plans for the present and the future? She says that she would like to hold her own solo art gallery displaying her works.“I also want to undergo professional training at the Hotel School,” she says. In addition to that, she plans to continue her modeling career though she was discreet as to what kind of area she wanted to specialize in. “With her all-Maldivian looks, she can easily become a make-up or hairstyle model,” commented a local beautician. “But then one should never limit one’s opportunities.”Chuppi, whose friends affectionately claim is ‘fussy in what she wears’, says that she does not have a particular preference in her style. “I would like to look hippy, junky and glamorous at the same time!” she says.
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