Muller trains with the best in Hawaii

Nadi based Niko Ravouvou Muller, an upcoming surfer is training with some of the best watermen in the world in Hawaii.

This includes Scott Sanchez and Red Bull sponsored Kai Lenny.

Muller, who has Fijian heritage from Namoli Village in Lautoka - Mataqali Ketenatukani/ Tokotoka Mataqere.

He was born on 7/7/2010 the very day the Surf Law opened the waves here so that locals and global surfers could have access to world class waves here in Fiji. 

Niko is learning and experiencing what it’s like to train with the best in the world. 

“The professional training, exposure and up-skilling has been mind blowing and pave the way for more young Fijian ocean sports enthusiasts to follow. 

“Being inspired by the Hawaiians we hope to take a little slice of Maui back to Fiji with us to be a catalyst for the next generation of young talented Fijian Watermen.” said Niko.

“We can use this exposure to propel to the next level embracing and appreciating what our oceans have to offer in relation to Hawaii giving valuable collaboration between our Pacific cultures. 

“This new frontier of ocean sports will provide another direction and pathway to happiness for our youth like it has done for so many Hawaiians.”

His dad, Ian Muller, a former Fiji surfer met Sanchez through a lifeguard conference in Hawaii and asked if any young kids interested in a variety of ocean sport.

Muller, said ocean sports is a minority sport here in Fiji it needs to look outside the box and put more emphasis on the youth.

“As ocean resource is considered one of the best in the world. Fiji has just as much potentials but we need to change our mindset to embrace a sustainable ocean lifestyle reviving culture in a more socio-economic way to manage our oceans and reefs to benefit our villages, communities and country while balancing to protect and revive our fragile environment,” he said.

“We need to refocus and put our passion of the ocean into action to develop future watermen and women. If you look at the best watermen in the world, they endorse Fiji as one if not the best place in the world for ocean sports.

“We have underestimated the value of our natural resources and have not given it enough credit for what we are blessed with. 

He shared the new Marine Bill will help put Fijians in the forefront by up-skilling themselves to manage/get returns, create business and become entrepreneurs in this exciting new era that will redeem back valuable ocean resource to the rightful owners as it’s been for ancestors. 

Prior to this foreigner surf businesses took exclusivity of Fijian reefs to monopolise the waves for their own benefit only for their foreign guests to surf our waves not allowing Fijians access restricting local surfers from developing with many Fijian business collapsing. 

The Surf Law has opened the door for young Fijians like Niko, James Kusintino and Navi Talai who are the next generation of proud Fijian surfers and watermen to push the boundaries of this exciting future giving them a professional platform to create a career inspiring other potential Fijians to be ocean warriors like their ancestors. 

Niko aspires to do as many ocean sports as possible from Surfing, SUP Surf, Winging, Windsurf, Foiling and Kiting.