Who Are The Best Surfers In The World In 2024?

The 2024 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour is over after running between 29 Jan 2024 and 14 Sept 2024. The world’s top surfers battled it out on some of the most challenging waves across the globe. From the powerful barrels of Pipeline to the long, peeling lefts of Jeffreys Bay, these athletes continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible on a surfboard. Let’s take a closer look at the standout performers who have made some serious waves.

What is The 2024 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour?

The 2024 World Surf League Championship Tour is pro surfing’s top-tier competition. It features the world’s best surfers battling it out at iconic breaks across the globe. From Hawaii’s North Shore to Australia’s Gold Coast, these athletes showcase their skills in a variety of conditions. 

The tour consists of multiple events throughout the year, with surfers earning points based on their performances. At season’s end, the top five men and women qualify for the WSL Finals, where world champions are crowned. It’s a grueling test of skill, strategy, and ocean knowledge that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible on a surfboard.

Men’s Tour: The Titans of the Waves

Who’s sitting at the top of the men’s ranking right? 

1) John John Florence: The Hawaiian Powerhouse

At the top of the men’s rankings, we find John John Florence with an impressive 49,530 points. The two-time world champion from Hawaii has been on fire this season, showcasing his trademark style and power in every heat. Florence’s ability to read even the biggest waves is second to none, often putting himself in perfect position for massive barrels or launching into gravity-defying aerials.

Florence’s lead of over 3,000 points speaks volumes about his dominance this year. He’s been consistently reaching finals and taking home event wins, leaving his competitors scrambling to keep up. His performance at Pipeline, where he grew up surfing, was particularly noteworthy, with local knowledge giving him a clear edge in the heavy Hawaiian surf.

2) Italo Ferreira: Brazilian Flair

Rounding out the men’s top five is Brazil’s Italo Ferreira with 37,365 points. The high-flying Brazilian is known for his explosive surfing and never-say-die attitude. Ferreira, an Olympic gold medalist, brings unmatched energy to every heat, often starting with a bang and maintaining that intensity throughout.

His ability to pull off high-risk maneuvers in crucial moments has made him a fan favorite and a constant threat in any conditions.

3) Griffin Colapinto: America’s Rising Star

Hot on Florence’s heels is Griffin Colapinto from the United States, sitting in second place with 46,600 points. Colapinto has been turning heads all season with his progressive surfing and competitive drive. His first Championship Tour event win at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal was a career-defining moment, proving he has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Colapinto’s aerial game is among the best in the world, often pulling off mind-bending maneuvers that leave both judges and fans in awe. His consistency has been key this season, with multiple top-5 finishes keeping him within striking distance of the top spot.

4 and 5) The Aussie Duo: Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing

Australia’s surf legacy continues with Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing holding down the third and fourth spots respectively. Robinson, with 40,130 points, has been a standout in heavy waves, his fearless approach in places like Teahupo’o earning him high scores and respect from his peers.

Ewing, not far behind with 38,080 points, brings a smooth, stylish approach to his surfing that’s reminiscent of surfing legends of the past. His rail work is impeccable, and he’s proven he can perform in all conditions, from small beach breaks to macking reef breaks.

Women’s Tour: A New Generation Rises

See who’s risen to the top of women’s surfing to etch their name in glory. 

1) Caitlin Simmers: The Teenage Phenomenon

The women’s tour has been turned on its head by 18-year-old Caitlin Simmers from the United States. With a commanding lead of 52,930 points, Simmers has been the surfer to beat this season. She’s already notched three event wins and multiple top-5 finishes, showcasing a level of consistency rarely seen in such a young competitor.

Simmers’ surfing is a blend of power and progression, with smooth carves and critical turns mixed with cutting-edge aerial maneuvers. Her competitive maturity belies her years, often making smart heat decisions that have propelled her to the top of the rankings.

2) Caroline Marks: The Defending Champ

In second place, we find Caroline Marks, another American and the defending world champion, with 47,235 points. Marks has been in solid form this season, recently securing her first victory of the year at the El Salvador Pro. Her backhand attack is one of the most feared on tour, especially in left-hand point breaks where she can unleash a flurry of vertical turns.

Marks’ competitive experience and killer instinct make her a constant threat, and she’s certainly not ready to relinquish her world title without a fight.

3) Tatiana Weston-Webb

Holding strong in third place, Tatiana Weston-Webb has racked up an impressive 42,900 points this season. The Brazilian-American powerhouse has been turning heads with her aggressive style and competitive fire. Weston-Webb’s goofy-footed approach gives her a unique edge, especially on left-breaking waves where she can unleash her full arsenal of maneuvers.

Fresh off her silver medal performance at the Paris Olympics, Weston-Webb has carried that momentum into the WSL tour. Her win at the J-Bay Open in South Africa was a masterclass in powerful rail surfing, reminding everyone why she’s a constant threat for the world title. At just 28, Weston-Webb represents the perfect blend of experience and youthful energy, making her a fan favorite and a nightmare for her competitors.

4) Brisa Hennessy: Costa Rica’s Pride

Sitting in third with 46,375 points is Brisa Hennessy, flying the flag for Costa Rica. Hennessy’s smooth style and strong rail game have been earning her high scores all season. She’s particularly dangerous in long, wrapping waves where she can showcase her full repertoire of maneuvers.

Hennessy’s success is a source of national pride for Costa Rica, a country with a rich surfing culture but fewer resources compared to surfing powerhouses like the USA and Australia.

5) Molly Picklum: Australia’s Next Big Thing

Australia’s Molly Picklum holds the fourth spot with 39,390 points. Picklum represents the next generation of Australian surfing, following in the footsteps of legends like Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons. Her powerful surfing and progressive approach have made her a consistent threat in all conditions.

Picklum’s breakout performances this season have announced her arrival as a serious world title contender, and at just 21 years old, she’s only going to get better.

Standout Performances and Memorable Moments

The 2024 Championship Tour has already delivered some unforgettable moments. Caitlin Simmers’ three event wins have been nothing short of spectacular, each victory cementing her status as the surfer to beat this year. Her performance at Bells Beach, where she combined classic power surfing with progressive aerial maneuvers, was particularly impressive.

John John Florence’s mastery at Pipeline was a sight to behold. In classic Florence style, he found the deepest barrels and came out with a combination of style and poise that few can match. His perfect 10-point ride, where he threaded an impossibly long barrel before finishing with a massive air reverse, will be replayed for years to come.

Griffin Colapinto’s first CT win in Portugal was an emotional moment. After years of knocking on the door, Colapinto finally broke through, his aerial assault in the final leaving his opponent in a combination situation (needing two scores to catch up).

Caroline Marks’ victory in El Salvador showcased her backhand prowess. The long left-hand point break allowed Marks to unleash a barrage of vertical turns that had the judges reaching for their highest scores.

The WSL Finals: A New Format for Crowning Champions

The WSL Finals, introduced in 2021, have added an extra layer of excitement to the world title race. The top five men and women at the end of the regular season qualify for a winner-take-all day of competition at a single location.

The format is designed to create maximum drama, with the fifth-ranked surfer facing off against the fourth, the winner of that heat taking on the third-ranked surfer, and so on. The top-ranked surfer from the regular season gets the advantage of automatically making it to a best-of-three heat final against whoever emerges from the lower-ranked battles.

The Impact of Surfing’s Olympic Debut

The inclusion of surfing in the Olympics has had a noticeable impact on the WSL tour. Many of the top-ranked surfers, including John John Florence, Italo Ferreira, and Carissa Moore, are Olympic medalists. The exposure from the Games has brought new fans to the sport and raised the profile of professional surfing globally.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics (the surfing event was held in Tahiti), many of these surfers positioned themselves for Olympic qualification, with Kauli Vaast of France taking men’s gold, Jack Robinson of Australia winning a silver medal, and Brazil’s Gabriel Medina capturing the bronze. 

On the women’s side, Caroline Marks (USA) came in first and took the gold, while Tatiana Weston-Webb (Brazil) got second place and silver. Bronze went to Johanne Defay of France

The Next Generation

While the current top-ranked surfers are delivering incredible performances, it’s impossible to ignore the rising talent coming up through the ranks. Young surfers like Brazil’s Gabriel Medina (currently just outside the top 5 but a winner in Paris), Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi, and Australia’s Isabella Nichols are all capable of breaking into the upper echelons of the rankings.

These up-and-comers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a surfboard, incorporating aerial maneuvers and creative approaches that are changing the face of competitive surfing. As the season progresses, don’t be surprised to see some of these names making a late push for the top spots.

Summary: The Best Surfers

The 2024 WSL Championship Tour was one of the most exciting in recent memory. With a mix of established stars and rising talents, male and female surfers pushing each other to new heights, and some of the most challenging waves on the planet as their arena, this season is a testament to the incredible skill and dedication of the world’s best surfers. 

All eyes were on the athletes as they chased their dreams of becoming world champions. The ocean is calling, and these surfers are answering in spectacular fashion, with John John Florence and Caitlin Simmers taking home the men and women’s championship respectively.