Surfers

In 2026, a top-tier professional surfer on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour earns an average of $350,000 to $600,000 USD annually. However, elite “megastars” like John John Florence and Gabriel Medina exceed $5 million+ through private brand ownership and global endorsements. Revenue is now split across four main pillars: WSL Prize Money, Endorsement Contracts, YouTube/Social Media Ad Sense, and Personal Brand Equity. Introduction Surfing is no longer just a recreational pastime; in 2026, it is a multi-billion dollar pillar of the global sports industry. Following the massive success of surfing in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the lead-up to LA 2028, the financial landscape for pro surfers has shifted from simple “stickers on boards” to complex multi-platform media deals. To most of us on the sidelines, professional surfing looks like surfers hanging out and waiting until their turn to paddle out and surf. We think pro surfers traveling to exotic destinations almost every month, appearing in surf magazines, and partying.  “This is the life,” you might say. Is it really so? Is it worth it? It may look like the “dream job.” After all, who doesn’t want to get paid to catch waves? But did you ever wonder how to be a pro surfer, how pro surfers make money and how much they earn a year? In this article, we’ll find out: How much do pro surfers make? Pro Surfing’s Highest Earners and Highest Net Worth 2021-2026 When Is a Surfer Considered a Pro Surfer? Popular Surfing Competitions   The 2026 Earnings Breakdown at a Glance Elite (Top 10 WSL): $2M – $6M+ USD/year Mid-Tier (Championship Tour): $350,000 – $750,000 USD/year Qualifying/Challenger Series: $20,000 – $60,000 USD/year (Often operating at a net loss) Free Surfers (Content Creators): $100,000 – $1M USD/year (Based on views/subscribers) How Do Surfers Get Paid? Pro surfers devote their lives not only to traveling and riding the waves but to day-to-day surf training, too. They wake up at 6 in the morning every day to train, be fit, and be ready for the next competition. But are they earning enough to compensate for their daily challenges? Pro surfers, especially those who are ranking, earn prize money, which can add up to a respectable sum when combined with sponsorship income.  Prize Money and Surf Contest Winnings In 2011 Owen Wright took home $300,000 in what is the biggest prize purse ever won by a professional surfer. The event was his first ever WCT event win held at Long Island, New York. Despite this hefty example, contest winnings make up the tiniest part of a pro surfer’s income. For instance, the Vans US Open of Surfing, one of the biggest surfing competitions, sponsored by the mega-company Vans, gives a first-place cash prize in the USD $20,000 range (with equal prize money for both male and female surfers).  That makes you wonder how many competitions does an average pro surfer wins if he earns about $250,000 to $400,000 a year? In reality, pro surfers don’t need to win massive amounts in competitions per year to be part of the top echelon of pro surfers.  In professional surfing, how brands regard you matters just as much if not more than the titles you bring home.  So, if a pro surfer doesn’t win the contest, how much money does he or she make? The cash prizes tend to dwindle after the top five contestants.  These numbers are why surfers tend to rely more on sponsorships to make it to the top of the highest-earning surfers’ list.  Sponsorships Aside from competition earnings, pro surfers earn money by representing brands. This representation bound by signed contracts and agreements is called sponsorship, much like how the brand Vans sponsors the Vans US Open, only the brand sponsors individual surfers who have been recognized as best of the best. The most lucrative sponsorship deal in history was a $30 million-dollar, 8-year deal given to Jon Jon Florence (pre Covid pandemic) by Hurley. This deal saw Jon Jon net $5,300,000 per year in sponsorship money alone! The brand sponsorship pays the pro surfers to bring publicity to the company. The pro surfers get to travel to different surfing locations and surf. They take video footage and photos of their surf trip that the brand uses to generate buzzworthy content.  Joel Parkinson, an Australian surfer who used to compete on the World Surf League, was reported to have signed a contract with Billabong in 2008 for $1.5 million over five years. Imagine what that would be worth today, in 2026! Best known for his unprecedented 11 world surfing championships, Kelly Slater made a sponsorship deal with Quiksilver for $2 million over five years, again, imagine what sort of money that would equate to today!  Products Another way pro surfers earn money is from products that bear their name. Australian magazine “Stab” reported Mick Fanning’s earnings of more than $450,000 in 2008 from the Reef sandal he helped design. Mikael Pikon makes money from the surfing underwear he designed with a well-known brand. Dane Reynolds also gets royalties from the surfboards that bore his signatures.  In 2026, surfers sign “Category Specific” deals. A pro might have separate contracts for: Technical Gear: (Wetsuits/Boards) Lifestyle/Luxury: (Audi, Breitling, or Ralph Lauren) Wellness/Tech: (Whoop, Apple Watch, or Athletic Greens) YouTube Earnings  Digital projects also add up to the earnings of pro surfers. Their footages uploaded on video sharing platforms like YouTube rake them salaries, too. So much that it can be surprisingly more than average competition winnings. Surfers who have high followings across social media, like Jamie O’Brien, can make money based off of their personal platforms even if they’re not competing. In 2026, a surfer with 500k subscribers can generate $15,000–$30,000 USD monthly in AdSense and integrated “collabs,” often out-earning surfers ranked in the Top 20 on the competitive tour. Personal Brand Equity (The “JJF” Model) The biggest shift in 2026 is surfers owning their own brands rather than just being “billboards.” John John Florence’s Florence Marine X and … Read more

Sage Erickson is one of the most high-profile female professional surfers. While no longer competing on the Championship Tour, Sage has been at the forefront of the female surf scene, both in and out of the jersey. A Professional surfer, model, and artist, the Californian is an inspiring role model for young female surfers around the world.  In this post, we dive into the life of Sage. From her upbringing and how she discovered surfing, to her professional career, achievements, and where she is today. With a decorated resume and an interesting introduction to surfing, we have a lot to get through, so let’s get down to it.  Who is Sage Erickson?  Sage Erickson is an American professional surfer from California. A competitive surfer, free surfer, and model, Sage is the whole package when it comes to being a professional surfer; positioning herself as someone highly attractive and valuable to brands. Sage has competed and won some huge events on the competitive surfing roster, including multiple seasons on the Championship Tour; including some high finishes at notable events and taking out he coveted US Open of Surfing twice!  Sage’s Early Life & Upbringing  Originally from Ojai, California, young Sage moved from California to Oahu’s famed north shore at the age of 9. The North Shore is one of surfing’s most notorious stretches of coastline and the best palace on earth for a budding surfer. With beautiful white sands, warm blue waters, consistent swells, a variety of spots, and some of the world’s heaviest and most notorious waves–it’s a surfing paradise and ground zero for aspiring professional surfers. However, Sage had a somewhat late introduction to surfing by North Shore standards.  However, it wasn’t until the age of 11, that Sage discovered surfing. Sage’s family moved to Sunset Beach and after walking down the beach one morning, she discovered an old, battered-up surfboard in the sand. She dusted it off, paddled out the back, and rode her first wave–a moment that would dictate the rest of her life. From here, Sage surfed every day with her father, a keen surfer, at the various North Shore breaks.  In 4th grade, Sage attended Sunset Beach Elementary, the famous North Shore high school that produced the likes of John Florence, Mason Ho, and Barron Mamiya. It was here, that she met Coco Ho, the same age and also an aspiring pro surfer, from one of the most famous surf families in the world, The Ho’s. The two become best friends and took to surfing some of the North Shore’s heavier breaks together.  California and North Shore Hawaii At aged 14, Sage moved back to California, but this time to Ventura, a surf town in Central California, wave-rich, consistent, and famous for producing one of the best surfers of all time in Dane Reynolds. It was here, that would further develop Sage’s surfing and where she began dominating local NSSA events. It was success in these early events that would spark her competitive drive and drive to reach surfing’s highest level-the World Championship Tour.  Sage Erickson’s Professional Surfing Career  After a prolific junior career and dominating the NSSA scene, Sage was ready to make a charge at the WQS and later, CT. In 2012, she qualified for the WCT and spent a few years on/off the tour before achieving her best finish (9th) in 2016. Between free surfing and modeling and following a number of other creative pursuits, Erickson achieved some notable results in both high-level WQS and CT events. Some of her best results include:  3rd place Roxy Pro France (2012) 5th place Roxy Pro France (2013) 3rd place Roxy Pro France (2015)  5th place US Open of Surfing (2016)  5th place Roxy Pro Gold Coast (2016)  1st place Pantin Classic Galicia (2016)  1st place US Open of Surfing (2017) 1st place US Open of Surfing (2019) The high-level results speak for themselves when it comes to Sage’s competitive prowess, and while she never took out the world title, there’s much more to Sage than professional surfing.  Personal Life  Sage has a keen interest in fashion, music, and art. Most notably, drawing, which you can see featured on many of her surfboards. The wicked designs you see on her boards were hand drawn by Sage herself! Pretty cool, huh? As a high-profile surfer and model, Sage has collected several great sponsors throughout her career. After riding for RVCA for much of her time on tour, Sage is now sponsored by Buell Wetsuits, CI surfboards, Oakley, and Perfect Fit.  Final Words  Undoubtedly, Sage Erickson is a hugely influential and prolific figure in professional women’s surfing. An inspiration to many who want to follow in her footsteps and chase the professional surfing dream. If you want to follow more of Sage’s life, check out her Instagram and YouTube Channel. LukeLuke is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to riding waves, Luke’s journey as a surfer has inspired him to create a community where like-minded individuals can come together to celebrate their shared passion.

There are few surfers to have blended style and competitive fire, as well as Rob Machado. Nowadays, if you’re concerned with style, you follow a twin fin, mal riding free surfing path, and few combine such style with competitive success. Rob was prominent on the Championship Tour throughout the ’90s but left the competitive scene to pursue a free surfing career after the WSL (then ASP) removed “style” from the judging criteria.  Competitively or otherwise, Rob is one of the most stylish and influential surfers to walk the earth, and his legacy in our sport remains strong. In this article, we dive into the life of Rob. We’ll discover everything from where he grew up, his professional career, notable surf movies he’s appeared in, and where he is today. Rob Machado’s Early Life & Surf Career  Rob was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and moved to California when he was young. He attended San Deigulito High School, and his newfound location put him close to some of SoCal’s best waves. We’re talking Swamis, Blacks Beach, Trestles, etc.… While a self-proclaimed free-spirited soul surfer, Rob competed on the Tour for the entire 90s. With epic battles with some of surfing’s biggest names! Rob took out the Billabong Pipe Masters, the US Open at Huntington, and the coveted Triple Crown of Surfing–one of pro surfing’s hardest titles to crack.  However, Rob’s most famous surfing event was one that he didn’t actually win. After battling with Kelly Slater for the world title all year, the two were matched up in the final event of the year at Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu. After getting stupidly barreled, he finished a wave that came out of the barrel to high-five Kelly. Because of this, Kelly got priority to catch the next wave, and it’s a famous surfing tale that this moves lost Rob the world title that year. However, in a recent appearance on the “Ain’t That Swell” Podcast, Kelly debunked this myth by stating he already had Rob combo’d after already scoring two 9-point rides. A cool story, nonetheless!  Rob’s Unique Relationship to Competitive Surfing  A combination of unfortunate events led to Rob quitting the WCT in 2001. A strange year, not for 9/11 only but a year plagued by injury and complications with his first wife, Patou’s pregnancy. After only competing in 2 of the 5 events of that year (the European leg of the tour was canceled due to 9/11), Rob failed to requalify for the 2002 tour.  Rob went about the complicated process of applying for the injury wildcard for the 02’ season, writing a letter to the ASP to plead his case. Unfortunately, due to injury and having a 4-week-old daughter at home, Rob missed a critical “surfers meeting” held at Haleiwa. Usually, this is a surfer’s chance to fight their case as to why they should get the wildcard, but without being there himself, the wildcard was awarded to Shane Dorian instead.   After the ASP (now WSL) took style off the judging criteria, Rob quit the tour to pursue a career in free surfing, make surf films, and surf with style in good waves around the globe.  Rob Machado Surfboards  After riding for Firewire surfboards for much of his career, Rob now has his own Surfboard company, and although he still collaborates with Firewire, he sells his own range of surfboards. Rob Machado surfboard offers a range of boards from 7.0 mid-lengths to Twin Fins–boards that evoke style, flow, and fun.   Rob Machado Surf Movies  Over the years, Rob has been involved in countless surf movies. My personal favorite is The Drifter, which was made after Rob’s break-up with his first wife. The film takes you on a journey with Rob, chasing waves through Indonesia. Other surf movies he has starred in include Castles in the Sky, which, if you haven’t seen, I’d highly recommend) and Proximity. Rob’s most mainstream film was his voice-over role in perhaps the only good mainstream surf film, the animated “Surf’s Up.”  Rob was also part of the Momentum Generation, the generation of young surfers that paved the way for where surfing is today. This generation included Rob, Kelly Slater, and Shane Dorian, who surfed with a mixture of old-school flow and new-school flare–trying to stick it to and smoke the competition (older guys).  Personal Life & Today  Today Rob is still surfing, competing in less rigorous events, shaping, and participating in environmental causes. Setting up the Rob Machado Foundation, which focuses on environmental causes.   The Future of Rob Machado Today, Rob lives in San Deigo, and his presence is felt by varying degrees of spending in the type of surf scene you follow. If you’re a fan of mal riding, twin fin fun, etc., you can catch Rob hanging out at Duct Tape events if you want to check out more of Rob’s surfing nowadays. I’d suggest checking out these events or watching some of the Surf movies mentioned above.  LukeLuke is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to riding waves, Luke’s journey as a surfer has inspired him to create a community where like-minded individuals can come together to celebrate their shared passion.

There are the World Champions–all legendary in their own right; but multiple world title winners etch their names into surfing history and become the greatest surfers to walk the earth. However, two surfing figures rise above even the best are two surfers on completely different echelons. Over 20 years, these two surfers have been overwhelmingly dominant in competition, blowing their competitors out of the water for years at a time. The GOATS. (Greatest of all Time). Kelly Slater and Steph Gilmore.  Both need no introduction as the winningest surfers of all time. But today, we focus on Steph–a surfer regarded as the most stylish surfer ever and even quoted by Kelly himself as “Steph surfs the way we should all surf.” A testament to her style and competitive prowess. Combining style, flow, and elegance with a fierce competitive streak, it’s no wonder Steph became an eight times WSL World Champion. Her career speaks for itself, and in this, we take a deeper dive into the life of Steph, from where she grew up, how she started surfing, and her most notable events and achievements. It’s been a long and illustrious career, so we have heaps to get through.    Who is Steph Gilmore?  Stephanie Gilmore is a professional surfer from the Gold Coast of Australia. She is called the greatest female surfer of all time and has won 8 world titles. She’s an incredibly smooth and stylish surfer with 34 event wins on the Championship Tour. Steph still competes on the World Tour at the time of writing (aged 35) and won her last title in 2022 at the WSL finals at Trestles, California. Now, Steph is known for her style in the surf and her joyous and playful personality on land. Before we look into Steph’s most notable achievements in her career, how did the eight times World Champ start surfing?  Steph Gilmore’s Early Years  Born on 29 January 1988, Steph grew up in one of the best places to grow up as a surfer— on the Gold Coast, Australia. Home to world-class pointbreaks, perfect weather, and three of the best surfers on the planet, the Goldie is ground zero for Australian professional surfing. In this part of the world, people don’t grow up wanting to be soccer players or movie stars; they dream of being surfers and competing on the WSL Championship Tour. It’s one of the best surf towns in the world, and young Steph would develop and groom her surfing style on the various perfect pointbreaks.  At age 9, Gilmore learned to surf by standing on a bodyboard in shore breaks across the Gold Coast beaches. Her family home in Kingscliff, NSW, would be the perfect playground for a budding surfer. Steph’s style and competitive prowess grew and grew from Snapper to D-bah and everywhere else with sick waves on the Goldie. By 17, she was competing in wild card events on the Championship Tour and won the Roxy Pro Gold Coast in 2005–her maiden CT event entry and win.  After competing on the WQS, Steph qualified for the Championship Tour in 2007 and successfully won 4 of the eight events that year.  A dominating rookie year and one unmatched by any other female surfer. She then went on to win another seven world titles while collecting countless achievements, awards, and accolades.  Steph’s Achievements & Awards   As you’d expect, the list of Steph’s wins and achievements is extensive, and there are far too many to include on this list., I’ve tried my best to summarize the most notable.  Championship Tour World Titles  2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 2014 2018 2022  Out of all Steph’s World Titles, her most impressive campaign came in 2022. After narrowly missing the mid-year cut earlier in the year, Steph earned results to put her in the top 5 women for the year. Since 2021, the WSL has changed its formatting and now decides its world champion through a 1-day event at Trestles, California. Previously, the World Title was decided by whoever had the most points at the end of the year. This meant Steph had a shot, even though she finished 5th. She surfed her way to the final and beat Carissa Moore in the final to secure her 8th World Title. Pretty impressive, huh?  Notable Accolades & Awards  Surfers Hall of Fame in 2010  Laureus Actionsports Person of the Year 2010  34 total event wins  With such success, Steph has racked up many notable sponsors, including Roxy, Nikon, Breitling watches, and Audi. She has also worked with DHD Surfboards for much of her career, a relationship that helped her get the best boards and perform the type of surfing she’s known for. Stephanie Gilmore’s Personal Life  Steph isn’t known for sharing much of her private life and keeps much of it under wraps. To our knowledge, she doesn’t have a husband or children.  Today and What the Future Holds for Steph  No one knows when Steph will retire, and she keeps us guessing, just like Kelly. Outside of surfing, Steph has a passion for music, art, photography, and guitar playing and works with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as an advisor and ambassador. All I do know is that we keep getting to watch Steph for years to come, whether on the CT or in free surfing movie parts. She is one of the winningest and most stylish surfers ever to live, and it’s a type of surfing we can all take a leaf or two from.  LukeLuke is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to riding waves, Luke’s journey as a surfer has inspired him to create a community where like-minded individuals can come together to celebrate their shared passion.

Few surfers have the same level of dedication and commitment to professionalism as Mick Fanning. The three-time surfing world champion is known for his lightning focus in heats, earning him the surfers nickname “White Lightning” and surfing with unrivaled speed, power, and flow. Outside of the water, Mick is known for embodying the true Aussie spirit, work hard and play harder.  Popular among his peers, he is one of the most influential surfers of our time.  However, things haven’t come easy for Mick Fanning. Facing adversity and more than his fair share of challenges, Mick has experienced things that most of us can’t imagine; good and bad. After losing his brother at age 17, getting attacked by a shark on live television, and losing another brother and a world title in the same year, Mick has etched his name in surfing folklore. With 3 x world titles, and some of the most significant contracts in surfing, Mick is still one of the most successful surfers ever; let’s dive into his life, from where it all started, his major achievements to where Mick is now.  The Rise & Rise of Young Mick Fanning  Born on 13 June 1981 in Penrith, New South Wales, Mick was born into a single-parent family of four brothers in a public housing commission flat. The brothers were fiercely competitive and played all different sports. But Mick’s passion and focus for surfing wouldn’t happen until the family moved north to the Gold Coast when Mick was 12. The Gold Coast would pave the way for Mick’s early career, surfing Coolangatta’s perfect pointbreaks and punchy beachies and battling out with close friends and fellow aspiring pro surfers Joel Parkinson and Dean Morrison.  Young Mick was surfing well, entering local events, winning, and surfing with the speed, power, and flow he is known for today. He was taking the first steps to become a fully-fledged professional surfer. At 17, Mick lost his older brother Sean (an amazing surfer) in a car accident. Afterward, Mick dropped out of high school and went all in and pursuing the pro surfing dream.   Mick’s Career & Achievements  After winning his first-ever event as a wildcard at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in 2001, Mick qualified for the World Championship Tour full-time in 2022. In his first year, he won the Billabong Pro J-Bay and won Rookie of the Year (highest-finishing rookie surfer for that year). After a few ok but nothing special years on the CT, Mick suffered a devastating injury in 2004.  While on an Indonesian boat trip, Fanning tore his hamstring off the bone, ruling him out for the rest of that year. A long recovery process followed, and “white lightning” used this opportunity to change his attitude toward his career. Back in the day, the WCT was a full-on party scene, and it wasn’t uncommon for surfers to party all night and paddle out for heats still dusty from the night before. But young Mick was dedicated to adopting a more professional approach. Adopting the approach of British football teams, Mick developed a network of support from coaches, nutritionists, and everyone who could help him succeed on the world tour. He also began to take training and diet more seriously–fully committing to winning a world title campaign.  Mick went on to win 3 x world titles. His first in Brazil in 2007, after battling Kelly Slater for the entire year. He then went on to repeat the same feat in 2009 and 2013. His three world titles put Mick into the same category as the greats, surfing legends like Sunny Garcia, Kelly Slater, and Andy Irons.  Mick’s Profile & Equipment  While known for being the fastest surfer with an unrivaled ability to connect turns with power and flow, Mick stands only 1.78m tall and weighs only 75kg. He has a strong relationship with lifelong shaper DHD (Darren Handly). The relationship allowed the two to work on refined board models to give Fanning an edge in competition.  This close surfer/shaper relationship is one of the most notable in surfing (only John Florence and Pyzel have a more intimate working relationship) and has helped Mick succeed. Typically, Fanning rides a 5’11 x 18.75 x 2.28 shortboard. It’s worth noting that although Mick rides DHD almost exclusively, he also uses Tokoro surfboards in Hawaii.  The Shark Attack Incident  Although Mick Fanning was already one of the best and most famous surfers ever, the famous Shark attack incident 2015 brought Mick mainstream fame, but not for the reasons he expected. During the Championship Tour event final at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, Mick was surfing against fellow Australian and tour veteran Julian Wilson. Suddenly there was a lull between waves and a huge splash behind Mick. Viewers are blocked from view for a second, and we see Mick swimming on his back toward the shore. After a dramatic 30 seconds, the jetski is there to pick him up, and Mick comes out of the incident relatively unscathed.  Mick was attacked by what is thought to be a Great White shark. The incident was captured live on TV worldwide, with millions watching. J-Bay is notorious for sharks, but during a CT final in front of the whole world is unheard of. The broadcast snippet shows how Mick was knocked off his board as a shark got tangled in his leg rope–the only damage to Mick and his board was a snapped leg rope, luckily! Global news outlets reported the event, and after ten days out of the water, Mick returned to the waves at home of the Gold Coast before returning to J-bay for the event the following year and winning!   Retirement, Net Worth & Personal Life  Mick Fanning retired in 2018. After losing his eldest brother and world title to Gabriel Medina in the same year, Mick called it quits on the World Tour. However, he still surfs incredibly well, appears in many surf media productions, and is frequently spotted gracing the Gold … Read more

Here in 2023, we have countless ways to consume amazing surf content, from YouTube to Stab Cinema and tapping into your favorite surf movies! Heck, even scrolling through Instagram can feel like a moving version of your favorite surf mag. There are clips and content everywhere. But watching surf competitions can be painstaking. With long lulls, lackluster waves, and questionable wave scoring, it’s no wonder surfing hasn’t become the mainstream sport everyone can relate to.    However, The WSL is changing this, working hard to create a platform where competitive surfing is not only watchable but exciting and engaging. The WSL’s mission is putting (as their slogan goes) the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves. While several surf tours comprise the WSL, the overriding focus is on the Championship Tour and respective Challenger Series, where the world’s top high-performance surfers battle it out around the globe. In this post, we take a closer look at how this all works, so whether you’re new to competitive surfing or have lost track of how it works, take a seat, grab a cuppa, and let’s dive into the world of the WSL.  What is The WSL?  The WSL is the largest governing body for international surfing. The largest platform for professional surfers to make or launch a career as a professional surfer. Comprised of multiple tours across various surfing disciplines, the WSL is a company that broadcasts and shows surfing to the world. With events all around the globe in epic waves, the free webcasts are a spectacle, and the WSL does an amazing service to surfing.  History of The WSL  Back in the day, competitive surf events ran much in the same way they do today, only they were held in sub-par conditions. These early days of competitive surfing were far from what we see today. The events were held in population centers (where sponsors could push their logos in front of as many beachgoing eyeballs as possible), but waves would often be crappy. Were’ talking Virginia Beach, Huntington Beach–1-2ft slop. There were no webcasts, no airs, and sponsorship deals were minimum, if not non-existent.    Eventually, surfers came together to end what was, at best, an average tour of average beach breaks. Icons like Rabbit Bartholomew from Australia were at the forefront of pushing the tour into what later became the Dream Tour, stating, “It should be the world’s best surfers, in the world’s best waves” after a series of meetings, the surfers, and the ASP came together to make a tour that was exactly that, with the addition of world-class surf spots such as Cloudbreak, Pipeline, G-Land, Snapper Rocks, the tour was transformed into the Dream Tour.    These incredible waves set the foundation for some of the most iconic moments in surf history, and the best surfing the world had ever seen. As surfing progressed, world tour surfers now had a platform to showcase what they could do in real waves. Through the early noughties, professional surfing entered its heyday; sponsorship deals were big, the waves pumped, and the most influential surfers of our time battled in epic rivalries! We’re talking Andy Vs. Kelly Slater, The Hobgood twins, Mick, Parko…Ahhh, what a time! Today, the ASP has rebranded as the WSL into a multi-million dollar company, but before we dive into the tours and WSL schedule, how does the WSL work now for surfers?  How Does The WSL Work?  Tours  The WSL comprises multiple tours. The Championship Tour (where the best surfers on earth compete for the world title), the Big Wave World Tour (where the best big wave riders compete in big wave venues when a swell is called on), the world longboard tour, and the junior series. By far, the biggest aspect of the WSL arsenal is the WCT, the championship tour, and qualifying for it is a big deal!  The Tour Schedule  The Championship Tour schedule is held at eleven different events in various locations. Over the years, locations have chopped and changed around due to rights issues, waves, contracts, and not mention Covid, but now as we move through 2023, the WSL looks to solidify a consistent tour schedule.    Event 1: Pipeline, North Shore, Hawaii  Event 2: Sunset Beach, North Shore, Hawaii  Event 3: Supertubos, Peniche, Portugal  Event 4: Bells Beach, Torquay, Australia  *Event 5: Main Break, Margaret River, Western Australia  Event 6: Surf Ranch, Leemore, California  Event 7: Punta Roca, La Libertad, El Salvador  Event 8: Saquarema, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil  Event 9: Jeffery’s Bay, South Africa  Event 10: Teahupoo, Tahiti, French Polynesia    Event 11 – The WSL Final (Top 5 Only)    After event 6, the tour gets cut in half after the WSL announced the return of the mid-year cut, where the lowest-ranking surfers at this stage in the season fall off the tour and are relegated to the challenger series. This leaves a condensed tour for the reaming half of the season, with only the top-performing surfs competing for the final five places.     Then, the top 5 surfers do battle at Lower Trestles, a perfect a-frame in Southern California and a platform where high-performance surfing can go down! In the beys of the WSL. this is the venue to decide the World Title. This decision was met with much criticism in the surfing world as previously, the world title showdown would traditionally happen at Pipeline, in heavy barreling waves.    Each contest is held over a waiting period, which ensures good waves for each event. If you’ve ever competed at a local boardriders event, you’ll know firsthand that scheduling a surf contest on a random weekend doesn’t always give you good surf. The WSl typically has 10-day event windows and only runs a competition on the best days.  Ranking  Regardless of the tour, surfers are allocated points based on how they finish in a competition. Then surfers are ranked in the leaderboard system, and whoever has the most points finishes at the top and either … Read more

It’s always been this way, Surfing. A sport that walks the line between sport and lifestyle, a fringe sport, or an outcast of sorts–a counter-culture. But nowadays, with multiple ways to make money through surfing, most notably through competition, surfing certainly is a sport. With big endorsement deals and solid prize money for Championship Tour athletes, surfing at the top level can be a 6-figure career. Not bad for riding waves and traveling the world, huh?  However, surfing competitively is no easy feat, and it’s no coincidence the WQS (now Challenger Series) is known as the Q grind. It’s tough, and making it to the Championship Tour takes years of training, traveling, losing clutch heats, and heartbreak, not to mention tens of thousands of dollars. In recent years there’s been another dangling carrot for competitive surfers; a carrot that promises an international stage, good(ish) waves, and the chance to represent their country doing what they love at one of the biggest sporting events in the world, the Olympic Games.  For the first time ever, surfing was added to the Olympics in the Tokyo 2022 games. While the waves were expectantly lackluster, Olympic surfing was an interesting watch for surf fans and the general public alike. The inaugural event took place in Chiba, just outside of Tokyo, at Shidashita Beach, whereas surfing’s next Olympic appearance will be at the 2024 France Olympics at Teahupoo, Tahiti (A french overseas territory). In this article, we dive into everything you need to know about surfing in the Olympics. We’ll cover how Olympic surfing works, how surfing became an Olympic sport, and how the qualification process works. We have a lot to get through, so let’s jump in.  How Does Olympic Surfing Work?  Olympic surfing works much in the same way as your favorite WSL Championship Tour event. In Man-on-man heats, the surfer’s best two waves make up an overall score out of 20, and surfers have 40 minutes to find their best rides and progress. The event is knockout and will run from Round 3 through Round 2, Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals, and eventually, a man-on-man finale where the remaining two battle it out for a coveted surfing Olympic medal. Now we know the rough competition format, let’s take a closer look at how Olympic surfing works.  Contest Format  The Olympic surfing contest format includes 48 surfers, 24 men and 24 women. 2 x surfers from each (NOC-country) will represent their respective nation and compete for countries that have qualified (through a separate ISA event. Confused yet? Same. Through the ISA world games, surfers can qualify their country for the games, regardless of individual performance. (Nation’s must also qualify).  Scoring So how is surfing scored in the games? Olympic surfing will be scored with the traditional surf contest criteria, with waves marked on a combination of:   Speed, power, and flow  Commitment and degree of difficulty  Combination of major maneuvers  Variety    All WSL contests are judged based on these criteria, and so too will the Olympics. However, emphasis is put on different aspects of the criteria depending on the location and conditions. Whatever the criteria emphasis, surfers will be scored on their best two waves within a 40-minute man-on-man heat, and the closer their total to twenty, the better their chances of advancing.   Conditions  In the Tokyo Olympics, the contest was held at Shidshita Beach. An average stretch of beach at the best of times, let alone in mid-summer when the games were held. Waves were 1-2ft, onshore mush burgers for most of the contest before concluding on finals day in 4ft stormy but still extremely mushy conditions. (It was basically like an oversized weak Huntington). Due to the conditions, waves were scored on moves like airs, speed, power, and flow.  However, things will ramp up in France 2024 with the event being held at the famous Teahupoo. Teahupoo is a perfect left barrel, hollow and heavy, and should conditions provide, waves will be scored on barrel riding as it’s traditionally a barrel-only type wave. (Fingers crossed for good waves). While epic surf isn’t guaranteed whenever a set date is in place, the planned event dates (27-30 July) are slap bang in the middle of Chope’s swell window.  Most Recent Olympic Surfing Results  The first-ever Olympic surfing event occurred in 2021 as part of the Tokyo 2020 (postponed initially due to Covid) at Shidashita Beach. Although the conditions and subsequent waves were 1-2ft slop at best, the event was intriguing to watch. I thought the broadcasting was excellent, with a commentary team of both surfers and non-surfers. This allowed non-surfing viewers to learn and understand what makes a well-surfed wave, and for surfers, it was great to listen to people who actually knew what they were talking about.  It was also epic to see top pros mix it up with lesser-known names representing their country! There were some interesting battles, with Gabriel Media being knocked out by Japanese surfer Kanoa Igarashi, who went on to lose in the final against another Brazilian surfing superstar, Italo Ferreira–who took out surfing’s first-ever gold medal match. These were surfing’s medal placings in Tokyo 2020:     1st – Italo Ferrieria (Brazil)  2nd – Kanoa Igarashi (Japan)  3rd – Owen Wright (Australia)    While the inaugural event was met with skepticism in the surfing world for me, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the surfers I know and love from the WSL compete on such a huge world stage. I regard any opportunity to see the best guys and gals surf (whatever the cosnitons) as a positive.  Qualifying for the Olympics (Process & Requirements)  Qualifying for the Olympics is a little complex, but I’ll try and explain it as simply as possible. In Short, the highest-ranked surfers from the WSL and ISA games events will qualify. To determine a fair way of deciding who competes, the WSL, ISA, and Olympic Committee comprised a hierarchical event structure.  The Championship Tour  The world’s best surfers competing on the WSL CT, will have first … Read more

Few surfers combine such an out-there personality and surfing style as Mikey Wright. Embodying the true Aussie spirit, Mikey lives life in the fast lane–in and out of the water. In a sport so professional and clean-cut, the young Aussie is a refreshing antidote. An antidote that brings surfing back to its raw uncut roots.  In this post, we dive into the life of the youngest Wright sibling, born into an Australian surf royalty in NSW. We’ll dive into how Mikey got started with surfing, his competitive and free surfing career, as well as Mikey’s unique style and personality. He’s been up to a lot in the past few years, so let’s get down to it.  Mikey Wright: Upbringing Mikey Wright was born in Culburra, NSW, Australia—a small surf town south of Sydney, where Mikey was the youngest of four siblings. The Wrights are a renowned Australian surfing family and one of the most successful surf families ever. Tyler, Mikey’s older sister, is a veteran on the CT and 2 x women’s world champion, while Owen, his older brother (now retired), has been a top 10 feature on the CT for the past decade. Yep, Mikey had a lot to live up to as a grom!  His older siblings paved the way for young Milkey, feeding him into a lifestyle of all things surf. The family traveled up and down the East coast of Australia in a bus, competing in junior/QS contests and surfing their brains out. This out-the-ordinary upbringing set the foundations for how Mikey surfs today. Young Mikey was picked up by Quiksilver at a young age and shared the up-and-coming grom spotlight with now big-name surfers such as Jack Robinson, Leo Firovanti, and Kanoa Igarashi.  Before chasing the CT, Mikey was already a notorious free surfer, gaining media and social traction for his show-stopping video edits. If you haven’t seen Mikey’s videos like Root and Rage, I recommend checking them out! Mikey now resides on the Gold Coast in Queensland and has succeeded in and out of the jersey.  Mikey Wright’s Career  As a junior, Milkey was successful in competition, taking out multiple junior events, which fed him into the WQS. After chasing waves and seemingly pursuing a career in free surfing, Mikey qualified for the Championship Tour in 2018. (Note – Mikey appeared as a wildcard in a handful of CT events beforehand).  But Mikey’s induction to the Championship Tour was challenging. After sustaining a back injury while surfing in the WQS event at Pipeline in February, Mikey surfed the entire year nursing an injury–without telling anyone! Mikey pushed through the year with true Aussie grit and did what he needed to ensure requalification. He then pulled out of the remaining season to rest and recuperate for the following year.  In 2019, Mikey secured a 12th-place season finish after a 3rd at Uluwatu/Margaret River Pro and Keramas CT events. With back problems still lingering, the 2020 tour was canceled anyway due to Covid, and we wouldn’t see professional surfing gain until 2021! For surfing’s return, the season wildcard was decided in a surf-off between Mikey and Leo Firovanti, who both had solid cases to be awarded the injury wildcard. Mikey lost to Leo in a Pipeline “surf-off” but still competed in many events as an injury replacement.  In a condensed tour in 2021, due to many covid restrictions, Mikey completed the entire year before deciding to quit the tour to pursue his free surfing entirely. While Mikey was by no means a slouch on the competitive scene, he will be remembered for the intensity of his free surfing.  A Unique Style & Personality  In a sport that’s so clean, professional, and, let’s face it, a tad boring at times, Mikey’s raw approach, unique style, and personality are a refreshing touch to pro surfing and make the young Aussie stand out. Mikey loves all things Australia, spending his time camping, fishing, and 4WD’’ing in the bush. A fast-paced lifestyle that translates well into the water. With his famous mullet and beard, Mikey wouldn’t look out of place as a Gold Coast tradie but chuck him in the water, and he blows everyone else out of it.   When you watch Mikey surf, you never really know what will happen. He charges in serious waves and surfs big waves like me, and you try and surf our 2ft local. Big barrels, smooth carves, and giant airs make up much of his surf edits–he is truly one of the best and most exciting surfers to watch ever. Tap into some Mikey content archives here.  Sponsors, Achievements & Net Worth  As you’d expect for such a prolific surfing figure, Mikey has gained solid sponsorships and been the face of Quiksilver since the launch of their “Stay High” campaign; a doth of the cap to surfing’s go hard or go home roots. With some high-place finishes in competition and stupidly good free surf edits, Mikey has amassed an estimated net worth of $5 million and represents everything it is to be a top Australian surfer. When Mikey surfs, people watch, which makes him so valuable, in the jersey or otherwise.  Final Words  While we don’t see Mikey surf as much as we’d like (his career has been plagued by injury, and he’s no longer on the CT), when Mikey posts clips, everyone stops to watch, and that’s how it is. If you’re a fan of big barrels, massive open-face carves, and ridiculously high airs, Mikey is up there with the best in the world. I don’t know the future of Milkey’s surfing, But I do know that when a clip crops up on the social feed, I stop whatever I’m doing and watch, and you should too! LukeLuke is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to … Read more

Julian Wilson is one of the most stylish surfers ever, a surfer who combines perfect technique and flow with modern progression. An elite surfer for the past two decades and one of the best to watch, and although he never pinched a world title (damn it, Medina), Julian was a regular top 10 feature on the CT. With stand-out performances at the heaviest tour stops, Julian showed prowess in waves of consequence to back his high-performance surfing. Throw in his show-stopping movie parts, and you have one of the best and most influential surfers ever.  Julian’s surfing will stand the test of time and in this post, we dive into the life of Julian. From his upbringing and early rise to fame to how he secured one of the biggest sponsorship deals in surfing. We’ll also check out why Julian retired and what he’s up to now in and out of the water. It’s been an illustrious career, which means we have a lot to get through. Let’s get down to it.  Julian Wilson’s Early Life & Rise to Fame  Julian had what most would consider the perfect surfing upbringing. Born and raised in Coolum Beach, Queensland, Jualin grew up around a family of keen surfers and what can only be described as the perfect environment for a budding surfer. Warm water year-round, a scattering of fun beach breaks, and Noosa’s dreamy point break just a short drive up the coast–a combination that would pave the way for young Julian.  At a super young age, Wilson drew the eyes of sponsorships after competing in regional and national events as a grom and wowing with progressive surfing and a style well beyond his years. Julian would enter all categories in these events, taking out the longboard category, smashing the junior division, and well in the men’s as well. Wilson joined Quiksilver at a super young age and became the face of the brand alongside Kelly Slater, Jeremy Flores, and Freddy Pattachia.  After a successful junior career and incredible free surfing, Jules was getting traction from around the world. Spending more and more time away from school; surfing on boat trips alongside his heroes and competing on the WQS, Julian reached his destiny, the World Championship Tour. However, after qualifying, Julian decided to take a year off to film his signature movie “Julian Wilson: Scratching the Surface”. Which, if you haven’t seen it, I’d drop what you’re doing, and check it out now. Julian, confident he would qualify after a year off, went back on the WQS and did exactly that.  Julain’s Career, Highlights & Achievements  Wilson spent the best part of two decades as a regular fixture in the top 10 on the Championship Tour. After filming his hit movie, Julian went all in and hard into the competitive scene. He finished 9th in his first year; winning the coveted Rookie of the Year award with solid performances at major world tour locations.  In 2012, he backed up his first year, showing everyone that his first year at the highest level wasn’t a fluke and that he was there to stay–making a real charge for the title. He finished 9th again in 2012 and took out the Rip Curl Pro Portugal as his maiden event win.  In 2014, Julian won one of the hardest and most prestigious events to win on the entire CT roster–The Billabong Pipe Masters. Julian impressed everyone with a fearless performance at heavy first reef Pipeline, not that he needed to prove anything in big surf after some incredible tow waves at the Teahupoo Code Red swell the year previous.  After surfing for Quicksilver for a decade, Julain was offered a huge contract from Nike, after the sports brand entered surfing and Julian was treated like a true sports star, up there with Tiger Woods and the top basketballers of the time. You can watch more about one of the biggest contracts in surfing, in Stab Magazine’s How Surfers Get Paid). It’s an epic watch!  Julian took out The Triple Crown of surfing in 2014, the Billabong Pro Teahupoo in 2017, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast in 2018, and the Quiksilver Pro France in 2018. What a year! Unfortunately, he was pipped to the post by Gabriel Medina for the world title in 2018. After a competitive break due to Covid in 2020, Julian represented Australia at the Olympics in Tokyo 2020 (2021) but again lost to Brazilian Medina, in round 3 of the men’s shortboard event.   Julian then retired after the Olympics, aged 33. The decision came as somewhat of a shock to some, but Julian stated the decision was to pursue a life outside of surfing, spend time with his family, and a decision that made him, quote; “The happiest I’ve ever been.”  Julian Wilson’s Personal Life & Interests Julain is a strong advocate for breast cancer as his mom overcame the disease and Julain stands alongside fellow Australian Jackson Baker as an advocate. Often riding pink boards and wearing pink boardshorts to raise awareness. He is also strongly behind a number of environmental causes helping to protect the coast around Australia and the world. Julian also loves cricket, skateboarding, and dirt biking!  Wilson is married to model Ahsley Osborne, and the pair have two young daughters. After retiring and spending more time with his girls, Julian started the surf and lifestyle brand Rivvia project, to create “surf gear that I actually feel comfortable in when performing.  Today & The Future of Julian Wilson  It’s no doubt that Julain is and has been one of the most influential surfers of our time. An Australian great with CT event wins and movie sports to back it. While we don’t see Julain surf as much as we used to, we can still delve into the archives and check out movies like Lost Atlas and Scartching the Surfcae, hen surfing was very much at its peak financially and in my option, movie production-wise. LukeLuke is an avid athlete … Read more