Top 35 Best Surfers of All Time | 2020 Ranks + Guide
The most exciting sport in the world but the most difficult to master has to be the gift that was passed on to us by our Polynesian ancestors, the sliding on waves, He’e Nalu in Hawaiian – surfing.
More than a sport, it is a form of art, an avenue of self-expression, and a way of life. It must be why it rapidly gained more popularity over the last decade, where it was supposed to make its debut at the Olympics, if not for the pandemic. Surfing as a way of life is not easy. Riding a wave may cost you days or weeks of trying. Surfing requires tons of time, patience, and commitment. You will bank on failed attempts to fulfill the experience required to understand waves and ride them sweetly. In surfing, however, there are aspects of the surfer’s classification system. There are the professional surfers and the soul surfers.
Professional surfers identify themselves through the scoreboards of the World Surf League. Soul surfers are either professional in the past or surfers who are so good, they can stand out against participants of several surfing competitions. Soul surfers can go up against professional surfers any time of the day but choose to simply search for the perfect wave without participating in official competitions.
Best Surfers of All Time
For the longest time, people have been questioning why surfing has never made it as an official sport to be part of the Olympics. Now, it has.
A sport that engages with huge crashing waves, tons of skills, and possibilities of shark attacks deserve to be in the most celebrated international sporting event. Along with that, are the surfers that bested not just other riders but the ocean itself.
The best surfers in the world hold not just the greatest skills. They also have it in them the huge impact they have on surfing. It is just right that we recognize them for all of their successes whether they are still active or retired, with us or have passed on.
Here are the world’s best surfers of all time:
Table of Contents
#35. Italo Ferreira (Brazil)
Born: May 6, 1994
Birthplace: Baía Formosa, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Awards Won:
2011Quiksilver Pro Junior
2011Mormaii Pro Junior
2018Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
2018Corona Bali Protected
2018MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal
2019Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
2019MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal
2019Billabong Pipe Masters
One of the most explosive surfers in the business, Ítalo Ferreira first gained fame on the Championship Tour in his 2015 rookie season. He did a spellbinding aerial attack and a vicious rail game. It was in these times when he made the semifinals in Rio, quarterfinals in Fiji, and finals in Portugal.
He ran away with Rookie of the Year award after completing a remarkable year, ranking at No. 7.
Since then, many, even the surfer he looked up to – Mick Fanning considered him serious Title threat. He had his fair share of ups and downs. In 2017, he tore ligaments in his ankle that kept him from finishing the last three steps of the event he was in.
In 2019, he showed all his class and potential by finishing as runner up in France and taking out the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal heading into the Billabong Pipe Masters.
#34. Wayne Bartholomew (Australia)
Born: November 30, 1954
Birthplace: Tweed Heads, New South Wales
Awards Won:
1978World Surfing Championship
1999ASP world masters
2003ASP world grandmaster
More popularly known as “Rabbit,” Wayne Bartholomew was a self-made great surfer. In one of the Surfer’s Journal profiles written by Matt Warshaw, he was described in three words: struggle, achievement, style. Truly it was his approach into the vortex of all his rides.
He was nicknamed “Rabbit” as he was a speedster on the soccer field. Rabbit started surfing at the age of 13 when he moved to Kirra. He first rode at Snapper Rocks and moved to his formative years riding the famed Gold Coast Pointbreak. No one in the world has counted more tube time than Rabbit has.
In 2008, a documentary telling about his life was released – “Bustin’ Down the Door.” It told about his influence on the generation which is more than just winning titles. Perhaps his biggest gift to professional surfing was when he serves as the President of ASP International from 1999 through 2008.
#33. Joel Tudor (United States)
Born: June 11, 1976
Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States
Awards Won:
1998ASP Longboard World Championship
2004 ASP Longboard World Championship
8-time United States Open of longboarding champion
Joel Tudor is perhaps the only living surfer who showcases more style and grace on the board. Making a living off his ability to ride both skateboard and surfboard, he sure has perfected riding any craft in any water condition.
Described as “the finest longboard surfer of all time” by The Surfer’s Journal, Joel Tudor became the first new-age longboarder who made it as the cover of Surfer. He excelled in different areas of surfing and has always been a representation of surfers who can ride any board no matter what the conditions call for.
Right now he is busy creating the longboarding platform for the next generation. He still surfs since it serves as the balance that allows him to do other stuff. And, while he worries about the sport being part of the Olympics, he is glad that he is part of the sport that made it there.
#32. Rob Machado (United States)
Born: October 16, 1973
Birthplace: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Awards Won:
2003Hawaii’s Pipeline Masters
2006United States Open of Surfing
2011Reef Sweetwater Pro
Born in Australia but raised in California, Rob Machado spent most of his life on top of a surfboard. One of the surfing world’s most iconic and beloved figures, he never drifted too far from his hometown swells in San Diego.
He is one legendary surfer competing alongside the likes of Kelly Slater, Taylor Knox, and Pat O’Connell. He was 16, then. At 18, he ended 2nd to Shane Beschen in the domestic Bud Pro Tour.
Rob did not stop and qualified for the newly organized ASP World Championship Tour. It was when he started getting endorsement sponsorships from labels such as Gotcha and Hurley.
More than a surfer, he is also an ambassador. An environmental activist, he formed the Rob Machado Foundation, an organization focused on environmental causes. The same organization that is keeping him busy aside from shaping and designing his line of surfboards.
#31. Martin Potter (United Kingdom)
Born: October 28. 1965
Birthplace: Blyth, Northumberland, England
Awards Won:
1984Marui Japan Open, Foster’s Surfmasters, Hang Ten Summer Grand Prix
The best free surfer but not the most consistent, Martin Potter first took the world by storm when he was 15 after he defeated Shaun Tomson. It was his first professional contest. The winter that came after, at the Pipe Masters, he stood up against the meanest tube of the winter – 12-ft screamer that put him in the limelight.
Right now, he is a resident of Australia. He is a signed ambassador for Quiksilver and with the rise of the internet, he had ASP webcasts as his perfect venue to share his mix of surfing techniques and personality to the world.
#30. Taj Burrow (Australia)
Born: June 2, 1978
Birthplace: Busselton, Western Australia, Australia
Career Earnings: $1,482,613.00
Awards Won:
1999Coke Surf Classic Manly, Rio Marathon Surf International
2001Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
2002Mundial Coca-Cola de Surf
2004Nova Schin Festival
2007Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
2007Rip Curl Pro
2009Billabong Pipeline Masters
2010Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
2012Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, O’Neill Cold Water Classic Santa Cruz
2013Hurley Pro Trestles
Taj Burrow has always been one of the most famous surfers in the world. He was known as a surfer who had an astonishing and illustrious career sans the world title.
It tells a lot about his character as a surfer when he decided to hold back from the Championship Tour for a year. In his mind, his 17-year-old self was too young to do the tour full-on. He was leaning towards getting incredible videos instead of winning events which says a lot about he loved the sport.
#29. Dane Reynolds (United States)
Born: September 7, 1985
Birthplace: Long Beach, California, United States
Years active: 2008 to present
Career earnings: $357,325
Awards Won:
2003Highest Single Wave Score X Games
2004Highest Single Wave Score X Games
2006Best Male Performance in a Video, Video of the Year
A radical spirit, Dane Reynolds was one free surfer who didn’t suit a contest vest. He was shy and was not comfortable with crowds and media. Most consider this as something that didn’t really help his career as a competitive surfer.
Dane started surfing at the young age of 10, when his family moved from Bakersfield, CA to Ventura. He perfected his rides and stunts on the point breaks around Santa Barbara and Ventura. At the age of 13, he started competing. By 16, he dropped out of school to surf.
Adding to his fame are his awards from Surfer Poll Awards in 2006 where he bagged both Best Male Performance in a Video and Video of the Year for his first video, “First Chapter.”
At present, Dane is still a sponsored surfer and is even more so ripping harder than anyone in the world. He puts his free time to his clothing company called “Former.”
#28. Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia)
Born: June 6, 1966
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Awards Won:
2015 2nd place Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau
The man who was born 6.6.666, Ross Clarke-Jones was an established big wave surfer. He was there at the 1986 Billabong Pro at Waimea bay as well as the Pipeline Masters. He also had 12 years poured on the ASP World Tour.
At 52, he is still an active rabble-rouser and has not been showing any signs of slowing down. Still going at breakneck speed from his early days and Mad Max to almost winning Eddie Aikau, to TV shows and documentaries with Tom Caroll.
At present, he divides his time traveling between Portugal, Hawaii, and Australia. He is currently based in Bells Beach, Australia, but doesn’t mind enjoying fierce swells in the Southern hemisphere like South Africa, New Zealand, Tasmania, or even Western Australia.
#27. Nat Young (Australia)
Born: November 14, 1947
Birthplace: Sydney, New South Wales
Awards Won:
1963 Australian Invitational Surfing Championships
1966ISF World Surfing Champion (men’s), Australian Surfing Champion
1967Australian Surfing Champion
1969Australian Surfing Champion
1970Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships World Champion
In his tender age of 16, Robert “Nat” Young won his first open division – 1963 Australian Invitational Surfing Championships. He started surfing when he was 10 and did not stop progressing until he made it to World Championships.
While competing, he made the board he called “Magic Sam” in 1996. It was a thin 9’4” squaretail that had a swept-back fin designed by colleague George Greenough. He rode it to victory in the Australian National Titles and took it to San Diego for the World Championships.
He was virtually unchallenged with “Magic Sam.” The board plus his “involvement” style of riding such as powerful turns in and around the curl added up to his victory.
After retiring from surfing, he focused on writing books about surfing and sailboarding. His son Beau Young took after his surfing success where he won the World Longboard title in 2000.
#26. Tyler Wright (Australia)
Born: March 31, 1994
Birthplace: Culburra Beach, New South Wales, Australia
Awards Won:
2008Beachley Classic
2010O’Neill Women’s World Cup
2013Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Colgate Plax Girls Rio Pro
2014United States Open of Surfing, Roxy Pro France
2015Roxy Pro France
2016Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Drug Aware Pro Margaret River, Oi Rio Pro, Swatch Women’s Pro Trestles, Maui Women’s Pro
2017Oi Rio Women’s Pro
A two-time back to back World Champion from Culburra, Australia, Tyler Wright pushed into the waves as early as 4. She was labeled a surfing prodigy, surfing alongside his equally talented, top-ranked elder brother Owen Wright.
She went through an emotional phase while touring. It was no surprise for a teenager being on tour and was struggling emotionally to find herself as her favorite pastime became a job. To her, at that point in her life, the thrill faded too fast.
Wright almost walked away from the sport. It wasn’t when her brother suffered a life-threatening brain injury that changed her perspective in so many things. She went back to surfing and in 2016, she won five events in the season.
Her latest stint was making it to the Finals in Maui where she proved that not only was she back in business but that her focus is locked on the World Title.
#25. Adriano de Souza (Brazil)
Born: February 13, 1987
Birthplace: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Career Earnings: $2,073,400
Awards Won:
2003Won ASP World Junior Championship
2005Rip Curl Pro Hossegor, Billabong Costa do Sauipe
2007Maresia Surf International, Onbongo Pro Surfing
2008Billabong ECO Surf Festival, Mark Richards Pro
2009Billabong Pro Mundaka
2011Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Billabong Rio Pro
2012Billabong Pro
2013Rip Curl Pro
2014Hurley Australian Open
2015Billabong Pipe Masters, Margaret River Pro
2017Oi Rio Pro
The gritty and determined regular footer. The inspirational leader of the Brazilian Storm. Adriano de Souza is one extraordinary surfer.
He started at 8 when he came to the ocean carrying the second-hand surfboard his brother bought him. Since then, he never stopped riding. He was 14 when he decided to leave home to pursue his dream of becoming a pro surfer.
He works hard and was very determined to reach his dream. It was what brought him to the Championship Tour in 2006 where he inspired a whole generation of Brazilians. Even more so when he started raking victories.
Despite the many titles under his name, the triumph he considers the most successful was his marriage with his wife, Patricia.
#24. Filipe Toledo (Brazil)
Born: April 16, 1995
Birthplace: Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
Awards Won:
2011US Open Junior Pro, Billabong Surf Eco Festival
2015Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Oi Rio Pro, MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal
2016Sooruz Lacanau Pro, US Open of Surfing, O’Neill SP Prime, Oakley Lowers Pro, US Open of Surfing
2017Reef Hawaiian Pro, Corona J-Bay Open, Hurley Pro Trestles
2018Oi Rio Pro, Corona J-Bay Open
2019Oi Rio Pro
The representation of the tip of the spear in today’s progressive surfing movement, Filipe Toledo is small in stature but massively strong with his moves. He has mastered his aerial realm making him known as the Brasilian Tornado.
He has netted eight Championship Tour victories since his introduction in 2013. A second generation pro who followed the steps of his father, Ricardo – a two-time national champion back home. When Filipe’s career took off, he took his entire family to move to San Clemente, California.
Filipe Toledo is also a surfer with the most WCT event wins in 2015. He went to finish the 2015 season in 4th place. He landed on the same spot when he battled for the World Title at Pipeline.
#23. Eddie Aikau
Born: May 4, 1946 Died: March 17, 1978
Birthplace: Kahului, Territory of Hawaii, United States
Years Active: 1959 to 1978
Awards Won:
1971Lifeguard of the Year
The first lifeguard on the North Shore of Oahu, Eddie saved countless lives and helped with keeping peach when localism got out of hand.
He was a surfer in the 50s and 60s, braving 30-ft waves. The third child of Solomon and Henrietta, he was a descendant of Hewahewa, the kahuna nui (high priest) of King Kamehameha I.
His stint as the first lifeguard of the North shore was remarkable. Covering all shores from Sunset to Haleiwa, not one life lost under his watch. He went braving waves that are often 30-ft high or more just to save lives. The last person he saved was TV Producer John Orland.
It was his dedication to saving lives that led to his passing. In 1978, Eddie joined the voyage the sought volunteers for a 2,500-mile journey. During the voyage, the canoe developed a leak in one of its hulls and later on capsized.
Eddie attempted to help by paddling toward Lānaʻi on his surfboard. He removed his life jacket since it was getting in the way of his paddling. The rest of the crew were rescued by the United States Coast Guard except for Eddie. The search for him was the largest air-sea search in Hawaiian history.
#22. Tom Blake
Born: March 8, 1902 Died: May 5, 1994
Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Awards Won:
1928Pacific Coast Championship
1936Longest recorded surf ride in history
Often will you expect a man who was born near the waters to be a surfer. Very seldom will you find someone who was not born in a beach town yet mastered the art of riding the waters. That is Tom Blake.
He lived 92 years and left one precious legacy. His love of the waters. The same love had him successfully invent a lot of things surfing-related – the hollow surfboard, the water-proof camera case, and the surfboard fin.
One of the most significant people in the history of surfing, he was what surf journalist Drew Kampion wrote as “Blake altered everything. He almost single-handedly transformed surfing from a primitive Polynesian curiosity into a 20th-century lifestyle.”
#21. Greg Noll (United States)
Born: February 11, 1937
Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States
Years active: 1957 to 1969
Awards Won: —
“Da Bull” as he was most famously known, was one of the big wave surfing pioneers. It didn’t need him titles to get his name on this list. His experiences alone are enough to make him one of the greatest of all times.
He became known for his adventures in large Hawaiian surfs. What was thought to be impossible even by the locals, he surfed with all his might. He was the first to ride the wave breaking on the outside reef at Banzai Pipeline in 1964.
He along with other big wave legends were chronicled in the documentary Riding Giants. He also made some commentary track about his perspective on Hawaiian big wave surfing along with Laird Hamilton and Jeff Clark.
#20. Lisa Andersen (United States)
Born: March 8, 1969
Birthplace: Amityville, New York, United States
Awards Won:
1990Quit Women’s Classic, Bundaberg Rum Surf Masters
1997Expo 98 Figueira 97, Buondi Sintra Pro, Kahlua US Open of Women’s, Marui Pro, Quit Classic
2000 Billabong Pro
Lisa has to be the most stylish and most mimicked female surfer in the world. Especially when she emerged with Roxy boardshorts and went to invade the world with her quick and dynamic surfing performances.
Aside from winning multiple world titles, Anderson changed women’s surfing fashion and opened up huge dividends to the big surf clothing companies at that time.
During the mid-90s, it was Slater and her that were always top on world championship tours that everyone else seemed like faded in obscurity.
#19. Mick Fanning (Australia)
Born: June 13, 1981
Birthplace: Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
Years active: 2002 to 2018
Awards Won:
2001Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
2002Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
2005Rip Curl Pro Search, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
2006Nova Schin Festival, Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay
2007Hang Loose Pro, Quiksilver Pro France, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
2009Quiksilver Pro France, Rip Curl Pro Search, Hurley Pro Trestles
2010Quiksilver Pro France
2012Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Billabong Pro Teahupoo
2013Quiksilver Pro France
2014Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, J-Bay Open, Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal
2015Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, 2015Hurley Pro Trestles
2016J-Bay Open
Even after retiring, Mick Fanning remains relevant in the surfing scene. With the many ups and downs that happened during his entire surfing career, he polished his retirement with his notable Championship Tour career at the 2018 Rip Curl Pro – 17 years after netting the event as a wildcard.
Considered as one of Australia’s greatest surfing hero, his ride was not anything but smooth. Deaths in the family, injuries, and near-fatal shark attack all contributed to the legacy he left behind.
Even someone who is not a fan of surfing won’t fail to recognize Mick especially after the finals of the J-Bay Open in South Africa where the whole world held their breath as a shark attack was caught live on TV.
#18. Jordy Smith (South Africa)
Born: February 11, 1988
Birthplace: Durban, South Africa
Awards Won:
2010Billabong Pro J-Bay
2011Billabong Pro J-Bay
2013Billabong Rio Pro
2014Hurley Pro at Trestles
2016Hurley Pro at Trestles
2017Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
2018Outerknown Founders Cup
Lobbied by the likes of Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan to join Nike, Jordy Smith held the record for setting off one of the biggest bidding wars in the industry history. After winning the World Junior Championship in 2006 and the Qualifying Series in 2007, brands courted to sponsor him and he elected to go with O’Neill.
A large and powerful regular footer from Durban, he was popular for speaking his mind. He was after all a two-time runner up to the World Title. After nursing an injury in 2015, he came back strong in 2016 and took home Hurley Pro at Trestles.
The World Title still felt elusive as he finished 2nd after being defeated by John John Florence.
He is married to model Lyndall Jarvis and splits his time between San Clemente, CA, the shores of Oahu, Cape Town, and South Africa when he is not busy competing.
#17. Julian Wilson (Australia)
Born: November 8, 1988
Birthplace: Coolum Beach, Queensland, Australia
Career earnings: $1,491,250
Awards Won:
2012Rip Curl Pro Portugal
2014Billabong Pipeline Masters
2017Billabong Pro Teahupoo
2018Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
2018Quiksilver Pro France
Living on the Sunshine Coast of Australia, surfing is an essential part of Julian Wilson’s life. This sweet and gentle surfer has shown hunger and desperation for a title.
In reality, even without a world title, he already made his name in the surfing scene. His talents were one of whom that was highly regarded. His looks got him the heartthrob status even before joining the competitive ranks. He was famous on his own.
His last ride at Pipeline secured him a top 10 place on the Jeep Leaderboard that also gave him his provisional qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games.
#16. Shane Dorian (Hawaii)
Born: July 19, 1972
Birthplace: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States
Years active: 1992 to present
Career earnings: $1,491,250
Awards Won:
1999Rip Curl Pro
2000Billabong Pro
Shane Dorian was part of the Momentum Generation. A documentary that features never before seen footage and raw interviews of surfing’s most legendary crew. What made him part of this crew was his greatness not just in the field of surfing but life in general.
One of the best surfers of his time, he reinvented himself to be a wave charger and went to become one of the best big wave surfers of all time at Jaws and Mavericks. Anyone who has seen his performance at Eddie 2009 will have an idea just how great he is.
Fearless, he takes on the gnarliest, heaviest, and scariest big waves in the world.
#15. Gerry Lopez (United States)
Born: November 7, 1948
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Years active: 1970 to present
Awards Won:
1972Pipeline Masters
1999Waterman of the Year by the Surf Industries Manufacturing Association
The king of Pipeline – Gerry Lopez grew up in Honolulu frequenting the semi-secret reefs in and around Aina Haina. His trips to these reefs gained him enough experience and confidence to become Hawaii State Champ at the age of 14.
Along with his friend Reno Abellira, he migrated out to Oahu’s North Shore where they took after the likes of Butch Van Artsdalen and Jock Sutherland. With surfboards integrating “downrailer” edges, curve, foil, and rocker, Lopez led the vertical drops and thick tubes with ease.
That was when he was recognized as the best tube rider in the world.
#14. Mark Richards (Australia)
Born: March 7, 1957
Birthplace: Newcastle, Australia
Awards Won:
1978Rip Curl/Coca-Cola Classic
1979Hang Ten World Cup, J.S.O Niijima Super Surfing, Rip Curl Easter Classic, Stubbies Surf Classic
1980Offshore Pipeline Masters, Hang Ten International, Gunston 500, Rip Curl / Big
1981US Pro Invitational, Mainstay Magnum, Stubbies Surf Classic
1982Gunston 500, Rip Curl/Brian Rochford Classic
1985Billabong Pro
1986Billabong Pro
The four-time world champion, MR is highly respected by his peers. One of the most popular surfers in Australia, he took so many championships under his name and strongly contributed to the development of surfboard shaping.
He was part of the Aussie invasion of the North Shore that included Rabbit. But, Mark let his surfing do the talking that gained him entry to some of the most respected events during that time. His most explosive ride was when he rode Waimea at 30 feet.
Presently, he keeps himself busy shaping boards in his hometown.
#13. Layne Beachley (Australia)
Born: May 24, 1972
Birthplace: Manly, New South Wales, Australia
Awards Won:
1993Diet Coke Women’s Classic
1994Quit Women’s Classic
1995Rip Curl Pro France
1996Cleanwater Classic, Wahine/Airtouch Pro, Wahine Women’s US Open of Surfing, OP Pro, Quiksilver Roxy Women’s Pro
1997Quiksilver Roxy Women’s Pro
1998Sunsmart Classic, Diet Coke Surf Classic, Tokushima Pro, Kahlua Open, Rip Curl Pro France
2000Billabong Pro, Elleven Pro Women’s, Rip Curl Pro France, Quiksilver Roxy Pro,
2001Billabong Pro Tahiti
2002Roxy Pro France
2003Roxy Pro Gold Coast
2004Roxy Pro
2006Billabong Girls Pro
The first and the only surfer, male or female to ever win seven world surfing championships, six of which were consecutive. Layne Beachley, the Manly surfer girl started to become a professional rider when she was 16. By 20, she ranked 6th in the world
Her life is almost like a story from the movies. She was born Tania Maris Gardner but was adopted by the Beachleys, thus the name. Her adoptive mother suffered a post-operative brain hemorrhage and died, leaving her under her adoptive father’s care.
Her success in surfing brought her a lot of recognition, including the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2011. She also made it to the Surfing Walk of Fame as Woman of the Year in 2006. 2 years after announcing her retirement, she married Kirk Pengilly, a member of the Australian rock group INXS, in 2010.
#12. Miki Dora
Born: August 11, 1934Died: January 3, 2002
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary
Awards Won: —
Love him or hate him, the angry young man of surfing – Miki Dora can’t be denied of his contribution to surfing history. The “Black Knight,” “Malibu Mickey,” “Da Cat,” were just a few of the many names he was given.
Miki Dora was a rebellious surfer. Influenced by his drunkard stepfather, he grew up a bit aggressive and ill-tempered. He demonstrated a rather lonesome but hostile surfing personality that he even protested against the commercialization of the sport.
Even so, he was still a mysterious and gifted surfer. Hailed as the first superstar of the surfing world, Miki landed major roles in Hollywood, posed for a few surf ads, put up his own line of surfboards. All done while openly despising the industry he belonged to.
He succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2002.
#11. Andy Irons (Hawaii)
Born: July 24, 1978Died: November 2, 2010
Birthplace: Kauai, Hawaii
Career Earnings: $1,495,533
Awards Won:
1998Op Pro
2000Billabong Pro
2002Billabong Pro, Billabong Pro Teahupoo, Rip Curl Pro
2003 X-Box Pipeline Masters, Quiksilver Pro France, Niijima Quiksilver Pro, Quiksilver Pro, Fiji, Rip Curl Pro
2004Billabong Pro J-Bay, Quiksilver Pro France
2005Rip Curl Cup, Quiksilver Pro France, Quiksilver Pro Japan
2006Rip Curl Cup, Rip Curl Search
2007 Rip Curl Search
2010Billabong Pro Teahupoo
Andy was a professional surfer who learned to surf by threading on the unpredictable and shallow reefs of the North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. The long list of his achievements makes him world-renowned as no surfer has ever succeeded at winning a title at every event on the ASP Calendar.
He usually competed against his brother Bruce and never won. Not until he entered the World Championship Tour where he bagged it three times. After two Rip Curl Pro Search titles, three Quiksilver Pro France titles, 20 elite tour victories, he decided to pause in 2009.
He made a full comeback in 2010 and netted Billabong Pro Tahiti title. In the same year, he died from cardiac arrest and drug ingestion in some hotel room. February 13 was pronounced Andy Irons Day by the Governor of Hawaii.
#10. Mark Occhilupo (Australia)
Born: June 16, 1966
Birthplace: Kurnell, New South Wales
Career Earnings: $652,125
Awards Won:
1984Beaurepaires Open, Tutti Frutti Lacanau Pro, Country Feeling Classic
1985Swan Margaret River Thriller, OP Pro, Gunston 500
1986BHP Steel International, OP Pro
1998Rip Curl Pro
1999Billabong Pro, Quiksilver Pro Fiji, Gotcha Tahiti Pro
Another Aussie Legend, Mark Occhilupo is a fierce accolade in the laid-back surfer dude world. He started raising his flag at the age of 17 when he shone in the World Championship Tour exhibiting his undeniably extraordinary surfing powers.
He was no doubt a talent on the waters, however, he would have subsequent mental and emotional breakdowns from time to time that led him to take a few years to break from the scene. In 1999, he went for a comeback and got all the way to winning the world title.
Know more about Mark from a book written about his rise and fall – The Man Who Fell To The Couch.
#9. John John Florence (Hawaii)
Born: October 18, 1992
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawai’i
Awards Won:
2011Volcom Pipeline Pro, Van’s World Cup
2012Billabong Rio Pro, Telstra Drug Aware Pro, Volcom Pipe Pro
2013Volcom Pipe Pro
2014Quiksilver Pro France
2015Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, Volcom Pipe Pro
2016Oi Rio Pro, MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Hawaiian Pro
2017Drug Aware Margaret River Pro
2019Margaret River Pro, Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
Known as one of the most dominant Pipe surfers of his era, John John Florence surprised everyone when at the age of 13, in his small body built – 4’11” and 85lbs, became the youngest surfer ever to compete in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
When he is not injured, he could beat anyone. What’s interesting is how he does in a way that he doesn’t look so serious, when he is. He has a kid’s tendency to be silly at times. He’d drop out a half pipe on a skateboard just a day before the main surfing event, the next day, its as if nothing happened.
He’d paddle and stand like a normal surfer does and then would go for a shocking and crazy wind-assist airs that looks like he’s going to blow any part of his body.
At a young age, he already has two titles under his name. The future still looks bright for him.
#8. Gabriel Medina (Brazil)
Born: December 22, 1993
Birthplace: São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil
Awards Won:
2009Maresias Surf International
2011Quiksilver Pro France, Rip Curl Search, Super Surf International, Sooruz Lacanau Pro, San Miguel Pro, Airwalk Lacanau Pro Junior
2012Nike Lowers Pro
2013HD World Junior Championship
2014Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Fiji Pro, Billabong Pro Teahupoo
2015Quiksilver Pro France
2016Fiji Pro
2017Quiksilver Pro France, MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Future Classic
2019Freshwater Pro, Corona Open J-Bay
Currently one of the most popular surfers of his time, Gabriel Medina is set to represent his country at the Tokyo Olympics.
Considered a national hero in his hometown, this dark-haired goofy-footer has an unpredictable and explosive repertoire of above the lip maneuvers. These earned him titles from his early teens up to present.
Gabriel Medina dominates his rivals in head to head battles making him an enduring World Title contender. One of the most dramatic finales included his bout against Italo Ferreira where he placed 2nd. Still, it was enough for him to make it to the Olympic selection.
#7. Tom Carroll (Australia)
Born: November 26, 1961
Birthplace: Newport, New South Wales, Australia
Awards Won:
1982Sunkist World Cup
1983Sun Country, Beaurepaires Open, Stubbies Classic, Wave Wizards, Fosters Euro Pro
1984Marui World Surfing Pro, Gunston 500
1985Rip Curl/Subaru Easter Classic, World Inland Championships, Marui Japan Open
1986The Coke Surf Classic, Swan Premium Thriller
1987Marui Masters, BHP Steel International, Drug Offensive Thriller, Hang Loose Pro
1988Hard Rock Cafe World Cup, Hang Loose Pro, Rip Curl Pro Landes, Oxbow Lacanau Pro
1989BHP Steel International
1990Marui Masters
1991Marui Masters, Rip Curl Pro Landes
Tom Carroll was the first surfing millionaire when he signed up with Quiksilver in 1989. The smallest world champion, he was one of the most famous surfers of his generation – one who chose power surfing over everything else.
He made a name for himself by being fearless. He pulled into massive barrels and carved crazy snaps under the lips. He did the same even during a particularly gnarly surfing event.
In 1985, he was overtaken in the world rankings and lost his bid to the world title when he took part in boycotting South Africa. The direct result was him missing the title and the entire leg of the South African leg.
His fierce determination made him one of the most inspirational surfers of the 80s.
#6. Laird Hamilton (United States)
Born: March 2, 1964
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States
Years active: 1970 to present
Awards Won: —
Laird Hamilton is an accomplished living waterman who is equally skilled at windsurfing. He could have pursued a career in surfing and toured for World Championships but competitive surfing just did not appeal to him.
Years of watching his father compete and endure the competitive surfing contest politics drove him away from even trying. Yet, no matter how much he stepped away from the world of surfing, he still belongs to the sea. One proof is how he can regularly ride swells that rise 35 feet tall at over 30 mph.
His braveness isn’t just limited to surfing alone. In 2018, he made news for voluntarily rescuing evacuees in Hawaii from a devastating flood.
#5. Tom Curren (United States)
Born: July 3, 1964
Birthplace: Santa Barbara, California, United States
Awards Won:
1982Marui World Surfing Pro
1983Marui World Surfing Pro, OP Pro, Hang Ten Series (i)
1984Rip Curl/Aust Crawl Classic, Stubbie’s Surf Classic, OP Pro
1985Stubbie’s Surf Classic, BHP Steel International, Philishave Tracer, Marui World Surfing Pro, Foster’s Pro
1986Stubbie’s US Pro, Foster’s Surf Masters Pro, Lacanau Pro, Gotcha Pro, Marui Japan Open
Tom Curren is a three-time world champion and is a legend that has grown over the years. The golden child of American surfing, he debuted in 1982 he managed not only to shock Australia but the whole world.
The following year, he joined ASP World Tour, took out pros, and became one of the most popular surfers in the world. His international popularity stayed on for more than a decade. He has under his name 33 championship events, 3 world champions that made him feel enough reason to retire in the mid-90s.
#4. Stephanie Gilmore (Australia)
Born: January 29, 1988
Birthplace: Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia
Career Earnings: $1,132,520
Awards Won:
2005Roxy Pro Gold Coast
2006Havaianas Beachley Classic
2007Rip Curl Women’s Pro, NAB Beachley Classic, Mancora Peru Classic, Billabong Pro
2008Rip Curl Women’s Pro, Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle, Movistar Classic, Roxy Pro, Billabong Pro
2009Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Billabong Pro
2010Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Rip Curl Women’s Pro, Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, Rip Curl Search
2011Roxy Pro France
2012Roxy Pro Gold Coast, TSB Bank NZ Surf Festival, Roxy Pro France
2014Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Swatch Women’s Pro Trestles, Cascais Women’s Pro
2017Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Maui Women’s Pro
2018Rip Curl Women’s Pro, Rio Pro, Corona Open J-Bay
One of the most dominant yet stylish surfers in history, Stephanie is another provisional representative at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Having said that, her long list of achievements makes it easy to believe she’s at her shot at adding another gold in her trophy shelf.
She has seven World Titles in her rookie season alone, making her the first surfer on the men’s and women’s side to realize such a and accomplishment.
Her style of surfing can be compared to the likes of fellow Gold Coast style master Joel Parkinson. With pure artistry, her approach even when aggressive still looks as if grounded and in genius accuracy and technical capability.
What she believes to be her greatest challenge so far is how to keep the generation of women following her inspired.
#3. Shaun Tomson (South Africa)
Born: August 21, 1955
Birthplace: Durban, South Africa
Years active: 1969 to 1990
Awards Won:
1976Gunston 500
1977Gunston 500, Hawaiian Tropic World Cup
1978Gunston 500, Jose Cuervo Classic
1979J.S.O Chiba Pro
1982Mainstay Magnum
1984OP America Series, Renault Sport, Stubbie’s US Pro
1986Spur Steak Ranch Surfabout
Shaun Tompson was the opposite of the hippiedom that surrounded the surfing scene in the 70s and 80s. He had a clean haircut, he was good looking, smart, and exceptionally passionate about the sport. He never missed a day to surf and train in his bid to be the best in his chosen field.
Tomson learned how to surf at the age of 10 with a longboard under his father’s supervision. Later on, he switched to shortboards when the revolution struck the surfing world.
He is notable for his professionalism. He was respectable and well-mannered and won many hearts with his sophistication and grace. These are what people remember about him – more than the multiple titles he won.
#2. Duke Kahanamoku (United States)
Born: August 24, 1890Died: January 22, 1968
Birthplace: Haleʻākala, Honolulu, Kingdom of Hawaii
Awards Won: —
The American swimmer and surfer from Hawaii, Duke Kahanamoku was thought to be the father of surfing. He was the first star in this sport.
The Duke, as he was known, had gold medals in swimming. He was a swimmer before he was a surfer. Post-Olympic competitions, he traveled internationally for swimming exhibitions. It was around the same time that he started to make surfing part of the water world, too.
If he wasn’t swimming or surfing, he was saving lives. In 1925, he saved eight men from a fishing vessel using only his surfboard. With this achievement, the US lifeguards realized surfboards can be used for water rescues so they incorporated it with their practices, as well.
A busy man, he also joined Hollywood. While performing in different Hollywood films, he made connections with famous people who helped him promote surfing.
He died in 1968. He was 78. His ashes were scattered into the Waikiki surf. There also was a statue erected form him at Kuhio Beach in Honolulu to honor him and his contributions in the world of swimming and surfing.
1997Coke Classic, Billabong Pro, Tokushima Pro, Marui Pro, Rio Surf Pro
1998Billabong Pro
1999Mountain Dew PipeMasters
2000Gotcha Pro Tahiti
2003Billabong Pro Teahupoo, Billabong Pro Jbay, Billabong Pro, Santa Catarina Pro
2005Billabong Pro Teahupo’o, Globe Fiji Pro, Billabong Pro Jbay, Boost Mobile Pro
2006Quiksilver Pro, Rip Curl Pro,
2007Boost Mobile Pro
2008Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Globe Pro Fiji, Billabong Pro J-Bay, Boost Mobile Pro, Billabong Pipeline Masters
2009Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro
2010Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Hurley Pro Trestles, Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Rip Curl Search
2011Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Billabong Pro Teahupoo, Hurley Pro Trestles, Nike US Open of Surfing
2012Volcom Fiji Pro, Hurley Pro Trestles, Quiksilver Pro France
2013Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Volcom Fiji Pro, Billabong Pipe Masters
2014Volcom Pipe Pro
2016Billabong Pro Tahiti, Volcom Pipe Pro
The long list of awards is enough to tell you why he is the greatest surfer of all time. He holds the record for being both the youngest and the oldest World Champion in men’s history. He introduced an era of high-performance surfing that incorporated purposeful fin releases and the fusion of aerial moves.
In 1999, he attempted to retire but failed. While busy with Baywatch, some music and business projects, surfers like Andy Irons, Mick Fanning, and Joel Parkinson came to the scene. They seemed to be a generation of threats on the tour and immediately rekindled Kelly’s hypercompetitive nature.
2019 was supposed to be his last on tour, but it doesn’t look like he is slowing down anytime soon. Even so, he will remain one of the biggest names in surfing for the decades to come.
