Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2021
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Current

Employment History

• Six Senses Laamu, Maldives; 4realrewards, South Africa; JVD Productions, South Africa; GetFit Challenge Gym; South Africa; Crawford La Lucia Private School and Westville Boys High School, South Africa

Education

• ISA Surf Coaching Certificate; ETA College, Sports Management; Varsity College, Marketing and Communications

Birthplace

• Durban, South Africa

Language Spoken

• English, Afrikaans

With a choice to settle down or travel and surf, Justin Jansen Van Vurren chose to follow his dreams and now oversees the day-to-day operations of the surf program at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island. Justin was introduced to the sport of surfing at the age of 13 when his father took him to the beach. “My dad loved surfing and I was a swimmer, but spent more time in the pool. One day, he took me out to practice on a body board and the rest was history. Surfing allowed me to spend more time with my dad and I appreciated the moments we shared together out on the water. It gave us a feeling of calm yet also thrill and excitement. To this very day, I feel it every time I'm surfing.”

After studying marketing and communications and sports management, Justin spent time teaching sports to high school students and worked at a gym, but not long after, he opened his own production company. “I developed a passion for photography and started investing in camera equipment while watching video tutorials. There is something about capturing moments and places in your own unique style that left me wanting to develop this into a skill – so I did and I continue to grow my collection.”

Soon after, Justin heard about a job opening with Tropicsurf, an Australian luxury surfing brand, that gave him the opportunity to travel and surf while capturing moments in new territories. He and his wife Nicole needed to make a decision: did they want to settle down or travel the world? Being the carefree spirits they are, Justin and Nicole acquired their coaching certificates and decided to follow their dreams as they made their way to Maldives where they headed the surfing program at Six Senses Laamu. “We knew right away this was the right decision. Every day I go to work, I get to meet new people and share my passion for surfing. There is nothing better than teaching someone who has never ridden a wave and then seeing the joy in their face. The ocean gives back to you in its unique ways."

After falling in love with island life, Justin and Nicole were given the opportunity to move to the Seychelles where they now head the surfing program at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island. “I feel blessed to lead this life where I see beautiful people and marine life every day. Surfing is an art form where every wave is different and how you ride it is done through your own expression. Everyone can surf and how you decide to surf is completely up to you."

When he isn’t working, Justin enjoys taking pictures of his wife and the island and playing a game of pool with anyone who’s game. “My job happens to be my hobby, so I'm lucky to start my day on the beautiful waters of Desroches where there are more than 20 surfable waves.”