Want to know who the best surfers in the world are? Surfing has come a long way since its inception and it has evolved into a professional sport in its own right. There are several remarkable sportsmen in its history that have helped shape surf into what it is today.
Let’s see the world’s top 11 surfers to have ever hit the waves, in a style similar to our countdown of the top golfers in the world.
No. 11: Greg Noll
Noll was nicknamed “Da Bull” for his amazing skills in riding the waves and he’s also the first guy to ever leave his life behind and shack up on the beach to spend his days surfing. He is still remembered for riding a 35-foot wave back in 1969 without being towed out.
No. 10: Shaun Tomson
For 20 years, Tomson rode the waves like no other, revolutionizing the world of surfing. He even starred in several surf-related motion pictures.
No. 9: Andy Irons
Andy Irons is best known for his fierce competition with rival Kelly Slater, who is also featured in our countdown. Nonetheless, Irons, whose career ended abruptly at the age of 32 when he died due to heart issues, won four Triple Crowns and three ASP World Championships.
No. 8: Laird Hamilton
Hamilton’s most impressive feat? His performance at the 2000 Teahupoo, which established his name as one of the most successful big wave riders out there. But Mr. Hamilton didn’t stop there: he’s also a former model, an actor, a clothing designer, and a co-inventor of tow in surfing.
No. 7: Tom Carroll
Carroll raked in no less than 26 world tour wins and he’s also the first surfer to ever receive a $1 million sponsorship contract.
No. 6: Gerry Lopez
Lopez dominated the Pipeline Masters so much that they eventually renamed the competition after him. His fellow surfers also consider him to be the best tube rider ever. Who’s to disagree?
Continue reading to discover the rest of the best surfers in the world to ever hit the waves:
No. 5: Mark Richards
A five time World Champion, Richards definitely deserves a mention in our countdown. He can also be credited with introducing the multi-fin design into the world of professional surfing.
No. 4: Tom Curren
Surfing was the sport of choice in Curren’s family, so it’s not hard to understand where he inherited his insane skills on the waves. Although a bit temperamental, it is undeniable that Curren is one of the best surfers of all time.
No. 3: Duke Kahanamoku
You can thank Duke for making surfing as popular as it is nowadays. After winning three gold medals in the Olympics, Duke travelled the world and engaged in surfing exhibitions, a sport known until then only in Hawaii.
No. 2: Kelly Slater
Kelly Slater has won pretty much every award you could possibly win surfing. An 11 times World Champion, he’s to surfing what Michael Jordan is to basketball. He even had a role in Baywatch and was a model for Versace.
No. 1: Jay Moriarty
Chasing Mavericks ring any bells? This wonder kid’s story even inspired Hollywood producers. His claim to fame? Riding one of California’s biggest and most impressive waves, Mavericks, at the age of 16, which turned him into a surfing celebrity virtually overnight. Unfortunately, his career was short lived as he died at just 22 in a free diving accident. We granted him the no. 1 spot in our countdown because it is safe to assume that, had his career not ended so abruptly, he would have continued to ride the waves to perfection for many more years to come.
