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Surfing is an expression of passion, culture and lifestyle, going far beyond simply being a sport. Over the decades, we have witnessed surfers who have not only defied expectations, but also left a profound impact on the world of surfing;

With that in mind, the time has come to explore who the 20 best male surfers of all time are, telling us about their achievements, curiosities, personal stories and legacies that have made them true legends of the sport!

Among the names selected are Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Tom Curren, Gerry Lopez and many others. These surfers have charmed and delight by mastering the waves with excellence, proving their talents in the most challenging maneuvers.

Check out the 20 best male surfers of all time and find out more about them!

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Kelly Slater best surfers
Meet the 20 best male surfers of all time – Kelly Slater

The 20 best male surfers of all time: complete list

See the complete ranking of the 20 best male surfers of all time!

  1. Duke Kahanamoku
  2. Kelly Slater
  3. Andy Irons
  4. Tom Curren
  5. Mark Richards
  6. Mick Fanning
  7. Shaun Tomson
  8. Joel Parkinson
  9. Gerry Lopez
  10. Tom Carroll
  11. John John Florence
  12. Sunny Garcia
  13. Barton Lynch
  14. Andy Irons
  15. Tom Curren
  16. Mark Richards
  17. Mick Fanning
  18. Shaun Tomson
  19. Joel Parkinson
  20. Gerry Lopez

The 20 best male surfers of all time: meet the athletes!

Now it’s time to finally find out more about the 20 best male surfers of all time! Let’s find out about their titles, medals, teams, brief life story and records.

1. Duke Kahanamoku

  • Titles: Olympic medals and world championships.
  • Team: Hawaí.
  • Curiosities: He popularized surfing outside of Hawaii and was an ambassador for the sport around the world.
  • Life story: Born in 1890, Kahanamoku was a pioneer of modern surfing and a successful Olympic athlete.
  • Major Record: First to introduce surfing to the Olympic Games.

2. Kelly Slater

  • Titles: 11 times world champion.
  • Team: United States.
  • Curiosities: He is the most successful surfer in the history of the sport and has also worked as an actor and musician.
  • Life story: Born in 1972 in Florida, Slater dominated the surfing scene for more than two decades.
  • Highest Record: Highest number of men’s world titles.

3. Andy Irons

  • Titles: 3 times world champion.
  • Team: United States.
  • Curiosities: Known for his rivalry with Slater and his charismatic personality.
  • Life story: Born in 1978, Irons was an iconic figure in modern surfing until his tragic death in 2010.
  • Highest Record: Three consecutive WCT titles.

4. Tom Curren

  • Titles: 3 times world champion.
  • Team: United States.
  • Curiosities: Innovative in maneuvers and surfing style.
  • Life story: Born in 1964, Curren is considered one of the most influential surfers of all time.
  • Major Record: Three world titles and a revolution in surfing style.

5. Mark Richards

  • Titles: 4 times world champion.
  • Team: Australia.
  • Curiosities: Introduced the quad in competitive surfing.
  • Life story: Born in 1957, Richards is an Australian and global surfing legend.
  • Highest Record: Four consecutive world titles.

6. Mick Fanning

  • Titles: 3 times world champion.
  • Team: Australia.
  • Curiosities: He survived a shark attack during a competition.
  • Life story: Born in 1981, Fanning is known for his determination and resilience.
  • Highest Record: Three world titles and a story of overcoming.

7. Shaun Tomson

  • Titles: World Champion.
  • Team: South Africa.
  • Curiosities: Author and environmental defender.
  • Life story: Born in 1955, Tomson is one of South Africa’s most influential surfers.
  • Highest Record: World Champion in 1977.

8. Joel Parkinson

  • Titles: World Champion.
  • Team: Australia.
  • Curiosities: Known for its fluid and elegant style.
  • Life story: Born in 1981, Parkinson is one of the most respected figures in contemporary surfing.
  • Highest Record: World Champion in 2012.

9. Gerry Lopez

  • Titles: He won several championships in Hawaii.
  • Team: United States.
  • Curiosities: Known as Mr. Pipeline for his ability to master this legendary wave.
  • Life story: Born in 1948, Lopez is a legendary figure in Hawaiian surfing.
  • Major Record: Unequaled mastery of Pipeline waves.

10. Tom Carroll

  • Titles: 2 times world champion.
  • Team: Australia.
  • Curiosities: First surfer to wear a wetsuit in competitions.
  • Life story: Born in 1961, Carroll is an Australian surfing legend.
  • Highest Record: Two world titles and pioneering use of equipment.

11. John John Florence

  • Titles: 2 times world champion.
  • Team: United States.
  • Curiosities: He has a unique and versatile surfing style.
  • Life story: Born in 1992, Florence is one of the rising stars of world surfing.
  • Highest Record: Two world titles and dominance in big waves.
John John Florence best male surfers
Best male surfers of all time – John John Florence

12. Sunny Garcia

  • Titles: World champion.
  • Team: Hawaii.
  • Curiosities: He struggled with depression and became an activist for mental health.
  • Life story: Born in 1970, Garcia is an emblematic figure in Hawaiian surfing.
  • Highest Record: World Champion in 2000.

13. Barton Lynch

  • Titles: World champion.
  • Team: Australia.
  • Curiosities: After retiring, he became a commentator and coach.
  • Life story: Born in 1963, Lynch is one of the most respected voices in Australian surfing.
  • Highest Record: World Champion in 1988.

14. Andy Irons

  • Titles: 3 times world champion.
  • Team: United States.
  • Curiosities: Known for his rivalry with Slater and his charismatic personality.
  • Life story: Born in 1978, Irons was an iconic figure in modern surfing until his tragic death in 2010.
  • Highest Record: Three consecutive WCT titles.

15. Tom Curren

  • Titles: 3 times world champion.
  • Team: United States.
  • Curiosities: Innovative in maneuvers and surfing style.
  • Life story: Born in 1964, Curren is considered one of the most influential surfers of all time.
  • Highest Record: Three world titles and a revolution in surfing style.

16. Mark Richards

  • Titles: 4 times world champion.
  • Team: Australia.
  • Curiosities: Introduced the quad in competitive surfing.
  • Life story: Born in 1957, Richards is an Australian and global surfing legend.
  • Highest Record: Four consecutive world titles.

17. Mick Fanning

  • Titles: 3 times world champion.
  • Team: Australia.
  • Curiosities: He survived a shark attack during a competition.
  • Life story: Born in 1981, Fanning is known for his determination and resilience.
  • Highest Record: Three world titles and a story of overcoming.

18. Shaun Tomson

  • Titles: World Champion.
  • Team: South Africa.
  • Curiosities: Author and environmental defender.
  • Life story: Born in 1955, Tomson is one of South Africa’s most influential surfers.
  • Highest Record: World Champion in 1977.

19. Joel Parkinson

  • Titles: World Champion.
  • Team: Australia.
  • Curiosities: Known for its fluid and elegant style.
  • Life story: Born in 1981, Parkinson is one of the most respected figures in contemporary surfing.
  • Highest Record: World Champion in 2012.

20. Gerry Lopez

  • Titles: He won several championships in Hawaii.
  • Team: United States.
  • Curiosities: Known as Mr. Pipeline for his ability to master this legendary wave.
  • Life story: Born in 1948, Lopez is a legendary figure in Hawaiian surfing.
  • Major Record: Unequaled mastery of Pipeline waves.
Joel Parkinson best male surfers of all time
The 20 best male surfers of all time – Joel Parkinson

The 20 best male surfers of all time: complete list

  1. Duke Kahanamoku
  2. Kelly Slater
  3. Andy Irons
  4. Tom Curren
  5. Mark Richards
  6. Mick Fanning
  7. Shaun Tomson
  8. Joel Parkinson
  9. Gerry Lopez
  10. Tom Carroll
  11. John John Florence
  12. Sunny Garcia
  13. Barton Lynch
  14. Andy Irons
  15. Tom Curren
  16. Mark Richards
  17. Mick Fanning
  18. Shaun Tomson
  19. Joel Parkinson
  20. Gerry Lopez

The 20 best male surfers of all time

Did you like getting to know the 20 best male surfers of all time? The sport is already very popular in the world, but it gained notoriety when it entered the Olympics, proving its seriousness.

Now you can follow the practice of surfing at the Olympic Games every four years. The next edition of the Olympics is just around the corner, taking place in July 2024 in Paris, France, and we won’t miss a beat!

Take advantage of the fact that you’re here with the list of the 20 best male surfers of all time and leave your comment on what you thought of the article!

So keep following the site to find out all about surfing, the Olympics and many other sports!

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