Surfing is a lucrative sport, and even if surfing does not have fame and following all over the world, professional surfers’ pocket huge amounts of salaries and money. Some of the most successful and experienced surfers are millionaires. If you think that suffering is just for fun sports, then look at these richest surfers in the world who will make you think twice.
5. Gabriel Medina: $3.5 million
Gabriel Medina is a Brazilian professional surfer. The 27-year-old is one of the most successful young surfers. Gabriel has an estimated net worth of around $3.5 million.
The Brazilian is sponsored by Matt Nabney, Rip Curl, Guaraná Antarctica, Oi, Audi, Samsung Galaxy, Oakley, Gorilla, FCS traction and fins, Vault, Coppertone, Tokoro Surfboards. He won the World championship of 2014, beating the likes of Kelly Slater.
4. Mick Fanning: $8 million
Mick Fanning is an Australian professional surfer. Fanning, who is one of the richest surfers in the world, has an estimated net worth of $8 million. He has been a professional since 2002 and is one of the most famous surfers, courtesy of his shark incident.
Reef Footwear has sponsored fanning, Rip Curl, Creatures of Leisure Accessories, Red Bull Zen Nutrition, Dragon Eyewear, AUDI, Skullcandy, and FCS fins. Mick has endorsement deals with companies like Red Bull, Rip Curl and Mercedes. He was the third highest-paid surfer in the world in 2018.
Mick Fanning is also an avid overall water sports enthusiast and notably excels at wakesurfing. To learn more about wakesurfing, click here. TransWorld Surf refers to him as the ‘White Lightning’ because he is the world’s fastest surfer. In 2016, he was named the Australian Waterman of the Year by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA).
Moreover, he’s as active in the water and chasing perfect waves as he actively engages with the community. In 2014, he joined a paddle-out protest opposing the ocean terminal and casino construction at the Gold Coast. He donates to charities and non-profit organizations, such as the Starlight Foundation, World Vision, Make a Wish, and Wild Ark.
3. John John Florence: $12 Million
John John Florence is one of the wealthiest surfers in the World.
Florence began his career as an amateur surfer. This Hawaiian-born surfer competed in the Triple Crown of Surfing at 13 and became the youngest surfer recorded. He was the World Surf League (WSL) Champion in 2016 and 2017 and won the 2011 and 2013 Vans World Cup of Surfing. He’s also the youngest contestant to win this honor.
John John Florence is an American professional surfer. The 28-year-old has a net worth of $12 million. Florence is the highest paid surfer on the planet, with an annual income of $5 Million.
J J Florence has sponsorship deals with Hurley, Nixon, Stance, Futures, Dakine, and Pyzel surfboards. The Hawaii born surfer started his career at the very young age of 13 years. He is the most famous active surfer currently.
2. Laird Hamilton: $10 Million
An American professional surfer, Laird Hamilton, is one of the wealthiest surfers in the world right now. The 57-year-old has an estimated net worth of 10 million dollars.
He rode the thickest and meanest waves on earth in 2000, making him the ‘Millennium Wave’ in surfing history. Hamilton also pioneered tow-in surfing and joined the most popular XXL sessions in sports history. By age 17, he had already become an accomplished surfer.
READ: The 10 Richest Skateboarders in the World
He started his own clothing line, His Wonderwall, in 2008 and has had sponsorship from Oxbow surfwear. Alongside surfing, Hamilton is also an actor, action sportswear model and investor.
1. Kelly Slater: $22 Million
Kelly Slater is the richest surfer of all time. The 49year old has been surfing professionally since 1989 and is regarded as the greatest professional surfer of all time. According to reports, Kelly Slater has an estimated net worth of $22 Million, making him the richest surfer.
Slater was sponsored by Quiksilver from 1990 to 2014 and Kering from 2014. He is the brand ambassador of The Chia co. Along with surfing, Slater has also acted in movies and the music industry.
