It is difficult, therefore, to inscribe a proper name in the memory of world surfing. Only the best surfers in history and some legendary riders are able to do so. In this article, we will tell you about the most outstanding facts and the most remembered names.
There are a good number of legendary surfers who, due to their achievements or innovations, are remembered by fans of this water activity.
Among them, we have selected the following:
1. Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku. This Hawaiian, born in 1890, is a legend. He has been recognized as one of the most influential in the history of surfing and has achieved unique world records.
The Duke
George Freeth
2. George Freeth. Also Hawaiian, he is the person who contributed the most to consolidate this sport in the United States. In addition, he was a pioneer in surfer lifeguarding. In fact, he rescued seven Japanese sailors in the waters of California.
3. Greg Noll. This Californian, known as "The Bull", dazzled in spectacular sessions in giant wave breaks in Hawaii. His greatest feat, which placed him among the legendary surfers, was being the first to surf the third reef of the mythical Pipeline wave.
Greg Noll
Gerry López
4. Gerry Lopez. Originally from Honolulu, he was a pioneer in using shortboards, even in legendary waves like Pipeline.
5. Tom Curren. He is one of the best surfers in history and ranks among the most decorated. He started his career at the age of six and was already a world champion before he turned twenty. He has accumulated a multitude of professional records.
Tom Curren
Kelly Salter
6. Kelly Slater. With eleven world titles, he is the best contemporary surfer and the biggest living legend of our time. He is also considered one of the greatest athletes in global history. At 51 years old, he still competes fiercely on the world circuit.
Some legendary surfers have passed into posterity for having protagonized unforgettable surf feats. Sometimes, they were already among the best surfers in history. Other times, however, their names were not yet known. What do you think of these milestones?
The story of this Hawaiian surfer could not be more exemplary. In 2003, when she was only fifteen years old, after having been crowned junior champion, she suffered a terrible accident and was on the verge of death. While paddling in a break, a shark attack ripped off her left arm.
Although she was close to bleeding to death, she returned to the sea in just a month. She had to learn to navigate with that severed limb and she did, oh she did.
Currently, she continues to compete, defeats her rivals and wins championships. She has become a mother and her story inspired the movie Soul Surfer.
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Bethany Hamilton
Garret McNamara
Among the most memorable surf feats, riding the biggest wave in history is unsurpassable. The problem is the difficulty in measuring its specific height.
The official record, included in the Guinness World Records, is held by American surfer Garret McNamara. Do you know when he accomplished it? In November 2011 in Nazaré, Portugal, when he rode a wave of 23.77 meters. Years later, in 2013, he managed to surf another one of 30 meters.
Controversy arose in 2018, when Portuguese surfer Hugo Vau could have ridden a monstrous wave of 35 meters, baptized as Big Mama. This 36-year-old rider, however, the impossibility of measuring its real height with precision questions who owns the record. Nevertheless, if you see the images of these three waves, you will perceive the madness of this sport.
We present you another of the undisputed legendary surfers. Despite being born with a congenital glaucoma problem, he never gave up surfing. When he lost his sight permanently in 2012, he began to do it with assistance.
Currently, he is not only the world champion of adapted surfing, but also one of the most famous coaches. Among his legendary pupils is Aritz Aranburu.
Aitor Francesena "Gallo"
Mick Fanning
Australian Mick Fanning is considered the fastest surfer on the planet. He is also one of the best surfers in history, with three world championships. The maximum speed he has reached while surfing is 39.1 kilometers per hour.
However, these are not his only surfing achievements. Possibly the most significant moment in his life was surviving a shark attack during a competition in South Africa.
Truly, these feats of surfing illustrate the power of this prodigious sport. Don't you think it's a good time to choose your next surfboard and wetsuit? You may not achieve great feats yet, but you will enjoy surfing each wave immensely. Visit Mundo-Surf and gear up for action.
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