In this article we talk about…

• Although in 2024 the world title went to John John Florence, Kelly Slater, with his 11 world titles and extraordinary career, remains the undisputed benchmark in surfing. His story reflects how perseverance and passion can lead to exceptional achievements, inspiring new generations and maintaining his legendary status.
• After overcoming significant injuries, Florence has achieved a third title in 2024, demonstrating his skill and commitment to the sport. This victory positions him as one of the best surfers in the world today, cementing his place among the elite and reflecting the competitive and resilient spirit of surfing.
• Andy Criere, along with Nadia Erostarbe and Janire Gonzalez-Etxabarri, stands out for their achievements in 2024, including the historic qualification for the Paris Olympic Games. These performances underline the growing level of surfing in Spain, pointing to these athletes as ambassadors of a promising future for Spanish surfing in global competitions.

To find out, you have to look at the WSL rankings: but there is one living surfing legend who has yet to relinquish the throne of world’s best.

Surfing is a sport practiced by millions of people around the world, but the professionals who make a living from this passion are far fewer. Between minor and major tournaments, there is no shortage of competitions and no shortage of superstars, those champions known beyond the narrow community of amateurs.

One of the questions that surfers and surfing enthusiasts alike ask themselves is who can be considered today as the best surfers in the world? the best surfer in the world. Although Kelly Slater a true surfing legend, remains an undisputed benchmark, the title of world champion in 2024 has been won by John “John John” Florence.

So let’s meet these fantastic athletes, starting with the one who is considered the living legend of the board.

Kelly Slater: the surfing legend

Born on February 11, 1972 in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Kelly Slater grew up in an environment that led him naturally to surfing.

The son of a bait store owner, Slater began riding waves at the age of five. By the age of ten he was already showing extraordinary talent, winning surfing competitions all along the Atlantic coast of the United States. In 1984, he won his first national title in the junior category, the first of a long series of successes that soon catapulted him to the international scene. Two years later, in 1986, Kelly Slater took third place in the junior category at the World Amateur Championships in England, and the following year he won the Pacific Junior Championships in Australia.

The first major victories in his youth are a sign of what will be a formidable career in professional surfing: Kelly Slater’s early successes demonstrate not only his innate ability, but also his determination and commitment to continuous improvement, qualities that have helped him overcome challenges and difficulties and move up the pro circuit rankings.

Kelly Slater’s career really took off in 1990, when he launched into the world of professional surfing and won his first competition on the Bud Pro Tour with the Body Glove Surf Bout in California. At first, Slater faces some difficulties, ranking 43rd in his first year on the Championship Tour, but his dedication to the board soon leads him to triumph; in 1992 he wins his first professional event, the Rip Curl Pro in France, and then the prestigious Pipeline Masters in Hawaii, becoming, at only 20 years old, the youngest world surfing champion.

From then on, Slater dominated the surfing world, winning five consecutive world titles between 1994 and 1998. After a break from competition from late 1998 to 2002, Slater returns to competition and, of course, to winning more world titles, becoming world champion in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011. This never-ending series of successes, breaking record after record, including the incredible achievement of 11 world titles, makes Kelly Slater a surfing legend: the American athlete has not only made history, but has also profoundly influenced surfing culture.

It is no coincidence that Kelly Slater, in addition to being a champion surfer, has stood out as an environmental activist and advocate of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. His relationship with the ocean and nature has led him to commit himself to the fight for environmental conservation and the protection of the oceans: on more than one occasion he has raised his voice against pollution caused by the use of plastic and against intensive fishing. The story of Kelly Slater, probably still the best surfer in the world, is an example of how talent, together with dedication and hard work, can lead to extraordinary achievements.

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The rise and triumphs of John John Florence: from Honolulu to the third world title

John “John John” Florence, an American professional surfer born October 18, 1992 in Honolulu, Hawaii, grew up in Hale’iwa, near the famous Banzai Pipeline beach, and was introduced to surfing by his mother Alexandra, also a surfer.

He captured his first two consecutive world titles on the World Surf League Men’s Championship Tour in 2016 and 2017, the first Hawaiian to do so after Andy Irons. Throughout his career, Florence has won several prestigious events, including the Vans World Cup of Surfing in 2011 and 2013, the Volcom Pipe Pro four times and the prestigious “The Eddie” Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in 2016.

In the last five years, despite an ACL injury in 2019 that limited him in some events, Florence has maintained a high level of performance. He finished the World Surf League Tour in seventh place in 2019 and in 2020 he won the Billabong Pipeline Masters, beating Brazil’s Gabriel Medina in the final. Despite another injury in 2021 at the Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro, he finished the season 11th and in December won the Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Haleiwa Challenger. In 2022 he defended the Triple Crown of Surfing title alongside compatriot Carissa Moore, and in 2023 he won the Vans Pipe Masters, reaffirming his status among the best surfers in the world.

2024 represented another year of great success for Florence, winning her third world title, confirming her excellence in professional surfing.

Spanish surfing talent

Spain has produced talented surfers who have made their mark on the international scene. Aritz Aranburu, from the Basque Country, was the first Spaniard to qualify for the World Surf League Championship Tour, achieving important results against the best in the world. Jonathan Gonzalez, from the Canary Islands, is known for his clean style and has dominated European competitions for years. Gony Zubizarreta, originally from Galicia, has won numerous titles at the European level thanks to his versatility.

In 2024, Andy Criere stands out as the most outstanding Spanish surfer worldwide. Born in France and based in the Basque Country, Criere has represented Spain in various international competitions. In March 2024, he qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by winning a spot at the World Surfing Games held in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. His participation in the Olympic Games was a milestone, being one of the first surfers to represent Spain in this discipline in an Olympic event.

In addition to Criere, Nadia Erostarbe and Janire González-Etxabarri have had outstanding performances at the international level. Erostarbe, for example, achieved a historic fourth place at the World Cup in Puerto Rico, leading the Spanish qualification for the Paris 2024 Games. These performances reflect the growing level of Spanish surfing on the world scene.

Read also: If so many surfers choose El Burro beach in Fuerteventura, it must be for a reason.

In conclusion

Who is the best surfer in the world in 2024? It’s not easy to give a definitive answer, but Kelly Slater, a living surfing legend and proof of how dedication, talent and passion can forge a career like no other. This year, the 2024 WSL title has gone to John John Florence, who, after recovering from a serious injury, has returned to the elite of world surfing, becoming one of the ultimate references of the surfing spirit.

If you would like to follow in the footsteps of these amazing athletes or just try the thrill of the waves, sign up for our surf course in Fuerteventura: we will teach you the technique and secrets of this exciting sport. Who knows! Maybe one day you will see yourself competing in an international tournament.

World’s best surfer 2024: frequently asked questions

Who is considered the best surfer in the world in 2024?

The title of best surfer in the world in 2024 is held by John “John John” Florence, who won the WSL World Championship in 2024. Despite his triumph, Kelly Slater remains a living legend and a reference in surfing.

Why is Kelly Slater considered a surfing legend?

Kelly Slater has won 11 world titles and has had an exceptional career, marked by his mastery of surfing for more than two decades. His dedication to surfing and his environmental activism have cemented his iconic status.

What are the recent achievements of Spanish surfers in 2024?

In 2024, Andy Criere stood out by qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, while Nadia Erostarbe and Janire González-Etxabarri had important performances, reflecting the growing level of Spanish surfing.