The moment your favorite professional surfer catches that first wave, time seems to slow down. Their board glides effortlessly across the water’s surface, carving graceful arcs and sending sprays of salty mist into the air. The energy is electrically contagious, and it’s impossible not to be swept up in the pure stoke of the moment. The best professional surfers have dominated the ocean’s swells, leaving a mark on the industry of salt and sand.
With each ride that you watch, your heart races, and you find yourself shouting words of encouragement as if they can hear you from the water. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions – the thrill of the ride, the tension of the competition, and the joy of being part of a tribe of surf enthusiasts all cheering for the same salty hero.
The athletes on our list are true masters of their craft, showcasing remarkable skills and precision in riding the waves. They fearlessly take on some of the world’s most challenging surf spots, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved on a board. Their passion for surfing and dedication to their sport serve as a constant source of inspiration for enthusiasts and aspiring surfers alike.
But it’s not just about the action on the waves; it’s the whole surfer lifestyle that’s utterly captivating. The sunsets over the ocean, the camaraderie of fellow surf fans, the smell of sunscreen mixed with saltwater – it’s a celebration of life by the sea. So, if you haven’t experienced the sheer awesomeness of watching your favorite pro surfer in action, I urge you to grab your board shorts, sunscreen, and a front-row seat on the beach. StudyFinds has compiled a list of the best professional surfers, according to experts. Trust me; it’s a ride you won’t want to miss.
The List: Best Professional Surfers, According to Experts
1. Kelly Slater
Kelly Slater tops just about every surfing expert’s list of the best professional surfers of all time. “Widely considered one of the greatest surfers of all-time is our pick for the very top – Robert Kelly Slater!” shares The Sporting Blog. “He is an American professional surfer, and a name that everyone recognizes and connects with surfing. Born in 1972 in Florida to a bait-store proprietor, Robert Kelly Slater grew up around water, specifically Cocoa Beach, where he learned how to surf at the age of 5.”
Appreciation for Slater spans across the world. “Kelly Slater, or the GOAT (greatest of all time), is part man, part surfing machine,” says Honest Surf. “With an unrivalled 11x World Surf League world title under his belt, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest surfers of all time, if not THE greatest. He charged onto the competitive surfing scene at five years old, and after working his way through the regionals and nationals, he found himself on the big stage of the ASP world surf tour. But it didn’t take him long to find his first world title in 1992 at the age of 20 before going on a monumental run of wins. To make things worse, Kelly took a hiatus which many expected (including his rivals) he may not return from, but after his break, Kelly came back with the same competitive fire and continued to win world titles for years to come.”
Slater holds the record for both the youngest and the oldest world champion, which is legendary by itself. He still manages to dominate other industries using his reputation alone. “Slater has branched out into many different directions apart from the Surf Ranch, including food and drinks, furniture and clothing, and is the one person who totally embodies all elements of our sport,” adds Surfd.
2. Layne Beachley
From the waves of Australia to being known around the world for her skill on the surfboard, Layne Beachley is a name that will be remembered forever. “Layne Beachley is an amazing competition surfer from Australia. Her resume of accomplishments and honors is long and distinguished. She has an amazing list of awards and recognitions,” writes Everyday California. “She won her first six world titles in a row. She was also extraordinarily friendly, outgoing, and positive. For a long time, Beachley was considered the most powerful woman in surfing, and she is widely acknowledged as one of the sport’s greatest female large wave riders.”
Layne Beachley stands among the best female surfers of all time, yet her distinction reaches far beyond her gender. “Beachley won a record-breaking seven World Surf League (WSL) Women’s Championships, earning her the distinction of being the most successful female surfer in history. She won her first world title in 1998 and went on to dominate the women’s surfing scene throughout the early 2000s. Her powerful and aggressive style set her apart from her competitors,” says One37PM.
An inspiration on and off the surfboard, fans travel thousands of miles just to be in her presence, even after her retirement. “Layne Beachley AO is regarded as the most successful female surfer in history. Layne’s dedication to success saw her as the only surfer, male or female, to claim six consecutive world titles between 1998 and 2003. Layne went on to win a 7th world title in 2006 before retiring from the ASP World Tour in 2008. In retirement, Layne spends her time travelling nationally and internationally as a motivational Keynote speaker for some of the world’s top commercial firms, sharing her stories about sustaining success, overcoming challenge and maintaining a winning mindset,” adds At The Buzzer.
3. Mark Richards
Mark Richards graces our list of the best professional surfers because of his contribution to the sport, in more ways than one. “His ‘wounded gull’, knock kneed stance was, and still is one of the most recognizable surfing styles we have seen,” says Surfd. “One of the most well rounded professional surfers, Mark Richards won events in tiny waves in Australia as well as excelling in the powerful Hawaiian conditions.”
It is quite remarkable to become notable around the world for your skill, but it is quite amazing to be the world’s best over and over again. “Mark Richards, aka ‘The Wounded Gull’ or MR, is one of Australia’s most successful surfers of all time, winning three World Titles in total,” shares House of Surf. “But that’s not even what he’s most famous for… Instead, it’s his revolutionary Twin-Fin board design that he’s most renowned for.”
Demonstrating skill in a sport is very important, but it is innovation of that sport that constitutes genius. “One of Richards’ notable contributions to the sport was the development of the twin-fin surfboard design. Along with fellow shaper and surfer Reno Abellira, Richards refined the design, incorporating twin fins instead of the traditional single fin. This innovation revolutionized surfing and led to increased speed and maneuverability, influencing board design for years to come,” writes One37PM.
4. Bethany Hamilton
Bethany Hamilton tops the expert lists of the best professional surfers due to her skill and overcoming the toughest circumstances. You may be familiar with her from the feature film “Soul Surfer” that came out in 2011 about her life. “At the age of 13, surfing prodigy Bethany Hamilton had already made headlines. She was amazing on a surfboard and would do anything to win. However, on October 31, 2003, while surfing off the coast of Hawaii, Bethany Hamilton experienced a devastating setback,” explains Everyday Californian. “Bethany Hamilton was relaxing on her board when a 14-foot tiger shark grabbed hold of her left arm. She managed to get away, but not without losing her left arm.”
After going through such a devastating animal attack that would have been the end of a career for the average adult, Hamilton refused to give up. “After being savagely attacked by a shark back in 2003, when she was only 14 years old, Hamilton continues to surf with one arm, redefining what can be done with a surfboard, despite her physical challenge,” writes Surfd.
She won’t stay down and that amazes fans, both young and old. “One month after the attack, Bethany returned to surfing and within two years had won her first national surfing title. Bethany’s foundation of faith has been her backbone; her source of truth, hope, and strength,” adds At The Buzzer.
5. Tom Curren
If the name Tom Curren does not ring a bell, you have to check your history books because he is likely your favorite surfer’s favorite surfer. “If you grew up in the early 80’s chances are your favorite surfer is Tom Curren,” writes House of Surf. “Famous for his silky smooth style, and his unique approach to surfing a wave, his surfing inspired a generation. But it wasn’t all about the style, he backed it up with an illustrious competitive career too, winning three World Titles and numerous WCT wins along the way.”
While the world's best took on 12ft sets in the Bells Bowl on Friday at the #RipCurlPro. One man paddled out at Winkipop. It was no surprise that that man was 3x World Champion, Tom Curren. @ripcurl pic.twitter.com/ktOuo8gEul
— World Surf League (@wsl) April 28, 2019
Inspired by his father, Curren went on to surpass even his own expectations in the sport of surfing. “He learned to surf at age six on a trip to Hawaii with his family, following in his father Pat Curren’s footsteps. Many surfers attribute much of their own skills to having studied countless hours of Curren’s films,” notes Everyday California.
The bottom line is, when you are the greatest, you leave a footprint that cannot be erased. “Hailing from Santa Barbara, California, Tom’s got a whopping three-world title on his mantlepiece and will always be remembered as one of surfing’s greats,” shares Honest Surf.
If you could surf anywhere in the world, which waves would you like to conquer? Leave a comment to let us know!
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Sources:
- Honest Surf
- The Sporting Blog
- Surfd
- Everyday California
- One37PM
- The Top 10s
- At The Buzzer
- Ranker
- House of Surf
- Stadium Talk
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.