Top 10 Surfers of our time
Surfing is one of the most popular sports globally, and many talented surfers have made their mark on history. This blog will look at what we think are the top 10 most influential surfers from the 1970s until today. We'll start with some background information about each surfer, including how they got their start and their most notable achievements, and then discuss why they are considered one of the top 10 surfers of our time.
1. Stephanie Gilmore
Stephanie Gilmore is one of the most successful and influential surfers in history. She started surfing at a young age and quickly fell in love with the sport. She began training intensively at 14 and was soon winning major competitions.
Over her career, she has won seven World Surfing titles and shares the title of the most wins in history with Layne Beachley. Gilmore is known for her powerful, aggressive style and has revolutionized women's surfing with her moves and techniques.
2. Mick Fanning
Mick Fanning is an Australian professional surfer who has been one of the most successful and popular surfers worldwide for over a decade. He started surfing at age three and by 16 was winning major competitions. He won his first ASP World Title in 2007 and followed it up with another win in 2009.
In 2015, Fanning made headlines when a shark attacked him during a competition, but fortunately, he escaped unharmed. Fanning is considered one of the all-time greats of surfing and has inspired many young surfers around the world.
3. Kelly Slater
Kelly Slater is an American professional surfer who is widely considered the greatest surfer of all time. He started surfing at age five and, by age 20, was already one of the top surfers in the world.
He won his first ASP World Title in 1992 and has won 11 world titles, more than any other surfer in history. Slater is known for his innovative techniques and style and has reinvented modern surfing.
4. Andy Irons
Andy Irons was one of the most successful and popular professional surfers globally. He started surfing at age four and quickly began winning competitions. He won his first ASP World Title in 2002 and followed it up with another win in 2004.
Tragically, Irons passed away in 2010 at 32, but his legacy as one of the greatest surfers of all time lives on. Also, he is the only surfer to have won three straight world titles in three different divisions (shortboard, longboard, and tow-in surfing.
5. Joel Parkinson
Joel Parkinson is an Australian professional surfer who has been one of the top surfers in the world for over two decades. He started surfing at age nine and by 16 was already winning major competitions.
He won his first ASP World Title in 2012 and is still surfing at the highest level today. Parkinson is one of the all-time greats of surfing and is known for his smooth, stylish surfing.
6. Carissa Moore
Carissa Moore is one of the most successful and popular professional female surfers in history. She started surfing at age seven and was competing professionally by 18. Moore has won five ASP World Titles, more than any other female surfer, and continues to be a dominant force on tour today. She also won the first women's Olympic gold medal in surfing.
She is known for her powerful, aggressive style and is one of the pioneers of women's surfing. Also, at only 25 years old, she is the youngest surfer ever to be inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame. Carissa's placement in the Hall of Fame guaranteed her a spot on our list of Top 10 Surfers of our time.
7. John John Florence
John John Florence is an American professional surfer who is widely considered one of the greatest surfers of all time. He started surfing at age four and began winning competitions at a young age. He won his first ASP World Title in 2016 and followed it up with another win in 2017. Florence is known for his powerful, radical surfing and is one of the most influential surfers, with several citing John John's style as inspirational.
8. Stephanie Egginton
Stephanie Egginton is an Australian professional surfer who has been one of the top surfers in the world for over a decade. She started surfing at age 11 and, by 15, was competing on the pro tour. There's no way she would not be included in any 'Top 10 Surfers of our time' list.
Over her career, she has won several major competitions and continues to be competitive today. Egginton is known for her smooth, flowing style and has inspired many young surfers around the world, who emulate her style.
9. Gabriel Medina
Gabriel Medina is a Brazilian professional surfer who has been one of the most successful and popular surfers in the world for over a decade. He started surfing at age five and, by 17, he was already winning major competitions.
He won his first ASP World Title in 2014 and followed it with another win in 2015. Medina is known for his powerful, aggressive style and is one of the most exciting surfers on tour today. He is definitely a worthy member of our Top 10 Surfer list.
10. Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton is an American professional surfer who has been at the forefront of big wave surfing for over two decades, which makes him seasoned by any measure. He started surfing at a young age and, by 21, was already considered one of the top big wave surfers in the world.
Hamilton is known for his fearless, pioneering surfing and has been credited with pushing the sport to new levels. He is still surfing today and continues to be one of the most influential surfers globally.
Whether you're a die-hard surfer, or just interested in the world of wave riding, there is no denying the impact that the top 10 surfers of our time have had on the sport. From Kelly Slater to Laird Hamilton, these surfers have revolutionized surfing with their innovative techniques and styles, inspiring countless new generations of surfers.
What does it take to be considered one of the Top Surfers of all time?
Consistency - you're practicing as much as possible; multiple times per week.
Coaching - If you're the best surfer in your group, you need to expand and spend some time with people who are better than you.
Competition - Enter as many competitions as you can. Competing gives you experience under pressure.