Kelly Slater has been stepping onto podiums for three decades. Considered the GOAT by many, Slater has a long list of wins under his belt, including 11 World Titles and 8 Pipe Masters Events, to name a few. He also holds the record for both the youngest and oldest surfer ever to win the WSL men's world title, at ages 20 and 39, respectively.

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Andy Irons -

Andy Irons was one of the greatest surfers of all time. His rivalry with Kelly Slater was one of the most entertaining in the sport. Irons won the World Championship three times (in 2002, 2003, 2004) and was a four-time Triple Crown of Surfing Champion.

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Lisa Andersen -

A four-time world surfing champion, Lisa Andersen is one of the greatest in the sport. The American surfer dominated the mid-'90s, and in 2002 she was inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame.

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Gabriel Medina -

Gabriel Medina was the first-ever Brazilian world champion. He won the title in 2014, and then again in 2018 and 2021. Medina was also the first to land a backflip in a surfing competition.

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Gabriel Medina -

The perfect pose for an almost perfect score. Photographer Jerome Brouillet was able to register the excitement of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina after he scored 9.90 in the fifth heat of the men's surfing round three at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He ended the rounds in third place and got the bronze medal.

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John John Florence -

Hailing from Oahu, Hawaii, the grom-turned-pro dominated the sport from a young age. He won two back-to-back world titles, in 2016 and 2017. The 5-time Triple Crown of Surfing Champion also proved time and again that he rides his home breaks on the North Shore like no other.

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Filipe Toledo -

Like Medina, Filipe Toledo was also part of the 'Brazilian Storm' that took over the world surfing scene in the 2010s. The two-time world champion is a force to be reckoned with in the water.

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Tom Curren -

All surfers looked up to Tom Curren in the '80s. With three world titles under his belt, Curren remains one of the greatest of his generation, and indeed in the history of the sport.

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Adriano de Souza -

Adriano "Mineirinho" de Souza is also one of the best to come out of the generation that included names like Medina and Toledo. The 2015 world champion is one of the greatest.

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Mark Richards -

Australia's Mark Richards, aka MR, not only has three world titles, but he actually revolutionized the industry. MR is known for developing the Twin-Fin board design. Up until then, surfboards had a single fin.

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Grant Baker -

Grant "Twiggy" Baker is a three-time big wave world champion. The South African surfer won the titles in 2014, 2017, and 2020.

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Gerry Lopez -

The Hawaiian surfing legend, also known as "Mr. Pipeline," is one of the greatest surfers from the '70s.

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Carissa Moore -

With five world titles under her belt, Carissa Moore is one of the best surfers of the last decade.

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Tom Carroll -

The Aussie surfer is one of the best goofy-footed surfers in the history of the sport. The two-time world champion is one of Australia's most decorated surfers.

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Greg Long -

The surfer from San Clemente, California, is one of the greatest big wave surfers. Greg Long has won multiple events, including the Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay and the Red Bull Titans of Mavericks. He is the most decorated surfer in the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards.

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Stephanie Gilmore -

Hailing from New South Wales, the Aussie surfing phenomenon is the most decorated female surfer in the world. Stephanie Gilmore has won eight world titles (so far)! Indeed, she's an inspiration for girls and women in the sport.

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Rob Machado -

Rob Machado was part of the iconic surf crew known as 'Momentum Generation' (another notable member included Kelly Slater). Machado is an inspiration for free surfers all around the globe.

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Ross Clarke-Jones -

The Australian big wave surfer is approaching 60, but he is not slowing down. Ross Clarke-Jones is known for surfing some of the biggest and most dangerous waves in the world.

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Dane Reynolds -

The American surfer is known for his aggressive and powerful style. Best known for his free surfing, Dane Reynolds riding waves is a joy to watch.

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Shane Dorian -

Like Kelly Slater and Rob Machado, Shane Dorian was also part of the 'Momentum Generation.' The Hawaiian surfer is currently one of the best big wave riders in the world.

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Sunny Garcia -

The Hawaiian surfer found great success in the late 1990s and 2000s. Garcia became the ASP WCT World Champion in 2000.

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Mark Occhilupo -

Aussie goofy-footer legend Mark Occhilupo, aka "Occy," had an impressive backhand surfing technique. He rose to fame in the '80s and in 1999 he won the world title.

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Bethany Hamilton -

The Hawaiian surfer is best known for surviving a shark attack in 2003, where she lost her left arm. Despite the traumatic experience, Bethany Hamilton returned to competitive surfing. Her story is truly inspirational.

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Michael Peterson -

Michael "MP" Peterson was an Australian surfer who dominated the scene in the '70s. His tube riding and carves influenced modern surfing. MP struggled with undiagnosed schizophrenia and substance abuse. He passed away at age 59 from a heart attack.

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Taj Burrow -

Taj Burrow is one of Australia's best-known surfers, and indeed a very good one. Fans will remember the two times he defeated Kelly Slater in finals: at the 2007 Billabong Pro in Jeffrey's Bay, and then at the Billabong Pipeline Masters in 2009.

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Shaun Tomson -

The South African surfer won the 1977 World Championship. Tomson took a professional approach to the sport by training daily to become the best. A Jewish athlete, Tomson was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.

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Rabbit Bartholomew -

Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew was one of the best surfers to come out of Australia. He has also been involved in the sport outside the water. Rabbit was CEO and president of the Association of Surfing Professionals (now WSL).

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Christian Fletcher -

The pioneer of aerial surfing from California drew inspiration from skateboarding in how he approached wave riding. The bad boy of surfing is known for his rebellious attitude and radical surfing style.

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Cheyne Horan -

The Aussie surfer is a legend of the sport. Cheyne Horan was inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame in 1986.

Sources: (Surfd) (Surf Hub) (WSL)

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Mick Fanning -

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Eddie Aikau -

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Layne Beachley -

The Australian surfer was huge in the '90s. Also known for her rivalry with American surfer Lisa Andersen, Beachley managed to win six consecutive world titles!

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Kelly Slater -

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Andy Irons -

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Lisa Andersen -

A four-time world surfing champion, Lisa Andersen is one of the greatest in the sport. The American surfer dominated the mid-'90s, and in 2002 she was inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame.

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Gabriel Medina -

Gabriel Medina was the first-ever Brazilian world champion. He won the title in 2014, and then again in 2018 and 2021. Medina was also the first to land a backflip in a surfing competition.

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Gabriel Medina -

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John John Florence -

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Filipe Toledo -

Like Medina, Filipe Toledo was also part of the 'Brazilian Storm' that took over the world surfing scene in the 2010s. The two-time world champion is a force to be reckoned with in the water.

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Tom Curren -

All surfers looked up to Tom Curren in the '80s. With three world titles under his belt, Curren remains one of the greatest of his generation, and indeed in the history of the sport.

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Adriano de Souza -

Adriano "Mineirinho" de Souza is also one of the best to come out of the generation that included names like Medina and Toledo. The 2015 world champion is one of the greatest.

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Mark Richards -

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Grant Baker -

Grant "Twiggy" Baker is a three-time big wave world champion. The South African surfer won the titles in 2014, 2017, and 2020.

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Gerry Lopez -

The Hawaiian surfing legend, also known as "Mr. Pipeline," is one of the greatest surfers from the '70s.

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Carissa Moore -

With five world titles under her belt, Carissa Moore is one of the best surfers of the last decade.

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Tom Carroll -

The Aussie surfer is one of the best goofy-footed surfers in the history of the sport. The two-time world champion is one of Australia's most decorated surfers.

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Greg Long -

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Stephanie Gilmore -

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Rob Machado -

Rob Machado was part of the iconic surf crew known as 'Momentum Generation' (another notable member included Kelly Slater). Machado is an inspiration for free surfers all around the globe.

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Ross Clarke-Jones -

The Australian big wave surfer is approaching 60, but he is not slowing down. Ross Clarke-Jones is known for surfing some of the biggest and most dangerous waves in the world.

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Dane Reynolds -

The American surfer is known for his aggressive and powerful style. Best known for his free surfing, Dane Reynolds riding waves is a joy to watch.

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Shane Dorian -

Like Kelly Slater and Rob Machado, Shane Dorian was also part of the 'Momentum Generation.' The Hawaiian surfer is currently one of the best big wave riders in the world.

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Sunny Garcia -

The Hawaiian surfer found great success in the late 1990s and 2000s. Garcia became the ASP WCT World Champion in 2000.

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24 / 33 Fotos

Mark Occhilupo -

Aussie goofy-footer legend Mark Occhilupo, aka "Occy," had an impressive backhand surfing technique. He rose to fame in the '80s and in 1999 he won the world title.

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Bethany Hamilton -

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Michael Peterson -

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Taj Burrow -

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Shaun Tomson -

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Rabbit Bartholomew -

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Christian Fletcher -

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Cheyne Horan -

The Aussie surfer is a legend of the sport. Cheyne Horan was inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame in 1986.

Sources: (Surfd) (Surf Hub) (WSL)

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The greatest surfers of all time

From the '70s to the present day

20 hours ago | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Sports

Surfing went from being an underground sport to an Olympic one in a matter of years. Today, surfing is a multi-billion dollar industry that attracts new blood every year. With so much competition and with the stakes so high, it's not easy to reach the top, let alone remain there. Some surfers, however, managed to do just that.

In this gallery, we look back at the history of surfing and bring you some of the greatest in the sport. Some of these athletes excelled competitively, while others made other contributions to the surfing world. Regardless, these athletes all deserve a spot on the list of the greatest. Click through to meet them.