World Surf League

Last updated

World Surf League
Current season, competition or edition:
Sports current event.svg 2024 World Surf League
World Surf League Logo.png
SportProfessional Surfing
Founded2013
CountriesInternational
Headquarters Santa Monica, California
Most recent
champion(s)		 Flag of Hawaii.svg John John Florence (men)
(3rd title)
Flag of the United States.svg Caitlin Simmers (women) (1st title)
Most titles Flag of the United States.svg Kelly Slater (men) (11)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Stephanie Gilmore (women) (8)
Official website worldsurfleague.com

The World Surf League (WSL) [1] is the governing body for professional surfers and is dedicated to showcasing the world's best talent in a variety of progressive formats. [2] The World Surf League was originally known as the International Professional Surfing founded by Fred Hemmings and Randy Rarick in 1976. IPS created the first world circuit of pro surfing events. In 1983 the Association of Surfing Pros took over management of the world circuit. In 2013, the ASP was acquired by ZoSea, backed by Paul Speaker, Terry Hardy, and Dirk Ziff. [3] At the start of the 2015 season, the ASP changed its name to the World Surf League. [4] Sophie Goldschmidt was appointed as WSL CEO on 19 July 2017. [5] Paul Speaker had stepped down as CEO on 11 January 2017, [6] and Dirk Ziff acted as the interim WSL CEO until Goldschmidt's appointment.

Contents

As of December 2017, the WSL had more than 6.5 million Facebook fans, surpassing more established sports such as the National Hockey League, the Association of Tennis Professionals and Major League Soccer. Sports Business Journal reported that 28 million hours of WSL digital video content were consumed during the 2017 season, making WSL the third most watched sport online in the United States behind NFL and NBA. [7]

In January 2018, Forbes reported that the WSL had signed an exclusive deal for digital broadcast rights, with Facebook, worth $30 million over two years. [7]

Erik Logan, Former Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) President and Executive Vice President at Harpo Studios, was appointed as WSL CEO on 14 January 2020. [8] Logan exited his position as CEO on 29 June 2023. [9] On 11 April 2024, Ryan Crosby was announced as CEO, effective 13 May 2024. [10]

History

Predecessors

The predecessors of the WSL relates to what organization predominantly represented individual professional surfers at that time. This is an important point because the International Surfing Federation (ISF) still functions to this day as the International Surfing Association (ISA) and also refers to competition winners as world champions (or variants thereof). [11] [12]

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) took over administration of professional surfing in 1983 and crowned world champions until 2015 when the organisation was rebranded as World Surf League (WSL). The ASP/WSL has remained the predominant surfing organization and sanctioning body for professional surfers since its formation. [13] The ASP's first world champions were Tom Carroll (men's) and Kim Mearig (women's) in 1983/84. Split seasons were held from 1983/84 until 1988 when competition reverted to calendar basis. This means that Damian Hardman and Wendy Botha were crowned ASP world Champions for 1987/88, while Barton Lynch and Freida Zamba were crowned ASP world champions for the (shortened) 1988 season. The first WSL world champions were Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Carissa Moore (HAW) in 2015.

In March 2015, WSL launched a free downloadable app, which garnered more than a million downloads in its first year. The app provides real-time updates on competitions and provides personalized alerts, letting fans know when their favorite athletes are about to enter the water.

In April 2016, the World Surf League introduced WSL PURE, its philanthropic initiative dedicated to supporting ocean health through research, education and advocacy. WSL PURE has contributed an initial $1.5 million in funding that will support scientists from the Columbia University Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory, as they lead research into ocean health & ecosystems, ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and the role the oceans play in climate change.

Equal pay for athletes in 2019

On 5 September 2018, the World Surf League announced equal pay for every female and male WSL event. CEO Sophie Goldschmidt said, "This is a huge step forward in our long-planned strategy to elevate women's surfing and we are thrilled to make this commitment as we reveal our new 2019 schedule...". [14] The announcement prompted a conversation about equal pay for professional athletes and the world commended the WSL for leading the way. 8 x world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore said "I hope this serves as a model for other sports, global organizations and society as a whole. My fellow women athletes and I are honored by the confidence in us, and inspired to reward this decision with ever higher levels of surfing.". [14]

COVID-19 impact

On 14 March 2020 the WSL cancelled all events "for the remainder of March", including the opening event of the 2020 Championship Tour (CT) on the Gold Coast in Australia, and the Papara Pro Open. [15] On 16 March the cancellations were extended to the end of May. [16]

More events were cancelled in January 2021: Sunset, the Big Wave Jaws Championship Pe'ahi, and the Santa Cruz Pro. [17]

WSL sanctioned tours

WSL Championship tour

Event winners win a total of $100.000. Total prize pool per event in men's competition is $607,800 and for women's $420,800, as there are fewer competition spots available to the women. Event results are converted to points and count towards the World Title Race, the surfers with the most points by the end of the season are considered as world surfing champions.

The Men's Championship Tour (CT) is the men's elite competition consisting of the best 34 professional surfers competing in 11 events (as of 2015). [27]

WSL Qualifying Series events

Surfers who are not currently eligible for the Championship Tour (CT) events are able to compete in a Qualifying Series (QS) of events, earning points towards qualifying for the following year's CT. The top Qualifiers at the end of each season's QS receive invitations, with the exact number on invitations having changed slightly from season to season. Furthermore, if a particular CT event, in the current season, is short of CT competitors, the judges may choose to select from the then-current top ranked QS surfers to fill in for that event –though this does not guarantee that the QS surfer will be invited to other events during the current season. [28]

A WSL QS 10,000 event is held at premium venues with a restricted field and offers WSL QS 10,000 World Rankings points. [20] [21] [29]

A WSL QS 1000, 1500, 3000 event is a lower level of competition, compared to an WSL QS 6000 and 10,000 event, with their importance indicated by how many points they are assigned: more points means generally better competition and prize money. [20] [21] [29]

WSL world ranking

WSL Men's Championship Tour and WSL Women's Championship Tour surfers accumulate points from each WSL Championship Tour and WSL Qualifying Series event they compete in which count towards their WSL World Ranking. [30] [31] Accumulated points are valid for 12 months from the final date of the scheduled event in which they were earned. [28]

Promotion and relegation

WSL World Ranking determines the promotion or relegation of surfers. [28]

2012 tours

The qualifiers for the 2012 ASP World Tour top 34 surfers was determined using a Rotation Points system.

The qualifiers for the 2012 ASP Women's World Tour was determined by a surfer's rank at the conclusion of the 2011 Tour. The top 10 re-qualified for 2012 and the remaining 7 places were taken from the ASP Star Ranking.

2013-2018 tours

The qualifiers for the following year's WSL Men's Championship Tour top 34 surfers [30] will consist of:

  • Top 22 surfers from the previous season of the WSL World Title Rankings;
  • Top 10 surfers from the previous season of the WSL World Qualifying Series (QS) Rankings (those who haven't already qualified in the above) and
  • 2 WSL wildcards.

[28]

Rules

Judging [28]

In contests surfers are scored on a scale of 0.1 to 10.0. These scores are awarded in increments of one-tenth. The following scale can be used to relate descriptions to the scores:

Judging criteria [28]

Judges base the score on how successfully surfers display the following elements in each wave:

These elements may be weighted differently from day to day and event to event, depending on the surfing conditions and the type of breaking wave at each event location. These criteria are different from in longboarding competitions. All is focused on creating some type consistency that can be seen throughout the many different events. [28]

The events themselves are previously declared QS 1,000 - QS 10,000 events; among other things this ranking shows how many judges are required at the event. QS 1,000 - QS 3,000 Qualifying Series events are required to have a six judge panel with four judges on each heat. A QS 4,000 - QS 6,000 Qualifying Series event requires seven judges with five on each heat. At QS 5,000 - QS 10,000 Qualifying Series events there are only allowed to be 3 judges from any one region. This is then limited to two at any world championship events. All events also require an WSL approved head judge who has the ability to make corrections to errors or any other events that may have affected the results. [28]

Rules

There are many rules out in the water that all revolve around the idea of right of way. A surfer has the right of way if he or she is closer to the area where the wave is breaking, this is more commonly referred to as having the inside position. If another surfer takes off in front of the surfer that has the inside position, then interference will be called, and penalties will be enacted. In most circumstances it does not matter who stood up first but who has the inside position. [28]

A surfer can also be found guilty of interference if they catch more than their maximum number of waves in a heat and that this takes away from the other competitors ability to catch waves. A competitor is also not allowed to interfere with another competitor's paddling and maneuvering for a wave. [28]

The rules of right of way vary slightly with the type of break. Point Breaks will always have a consistent direct of what is inside, that is, the person further up the line will have right of way. In a single peak situation where there is both a left and a right two people are able to be on the wave at the same time, provided that one goes left and one goes right and that neither crosses the path of the other to go one direction. If this does happen then, the surfer who stood up first will get the right of way. On a multi-peaked wave where the wave eventually comes together, both peaks can be surfed until the surfers come together. When they do the surfer who stood up first has right of way, and the other must maneuver to get off the wave without interrupting the other surfer. [28]

In a one-on-one competition, priority can be declared by the Head Judge. Once the person with priority has paddled for a wave priority is then turned over to the next person until that person does the same. The person with second priority can paddle for waves as long as it does not interfere with the other person who will lose their priority only if they catch a wave. [28]

A surfer who has already taken off or obtained possession of a wave maintains this position until the end of their ride. If another surfer takes off on the inside of this surfer, then this person does not obtain priority and is considered to be snaking. If this surfer does not hurt the other surfers ride, then both people can be scored based. If the judges determine that the snaking did interfere then the person will be penalized. Interference penalties are called by the judges and must have a majority to be declared an actual penalty. Interference are shown as triangles on the score cards in various different ways depending on when or where in the heat they were made. If three or more waves are being scored than one wave will be dropped off the score card. If only the top two waves are being scored, then 50% of the second best-scored wave will be taken off. If a surfer has more than one then 50% of the best waves score will be taken off also. The surfer who has been interfered with will be allowed an additional wave to their maximum as long as it is within the time limit. If a surfer interferes more than twice in a heat then they must leave the competition area. [28]

WSL Championship Tour champions

Gabriel Medina, 2018 WSL Championship Tour Champion Gabriel Medina - Reigning World Champion .jpg
Gabriel Medina, 2018 WSL Championship Tour Champion

Annual Championship Tour champions, since 1964, as recorded by World Surf League and correct as of 8 September 2022. [32]

YearMen's Championship TourWomen's Championship Tour
NamePointsNamePoints
ISF World Surfing Championships
1964 - Manly, AUSFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Midget Farrelly  (AUS)–Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Phyllis O'Donnell  (AUS)–
1965 - Punta Rocas, PeruFlag of Peru.svg  Felipe Pomar  (PER)–Flag of the United States.svg  Joyce Hoffman  (USA)–
1966 - San Diego, USAFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Nat Young  (AUS)–Flag of the United States.svg  Joyce Hoffman  (USA)–
1968 - Rincon, Puerto Rico, PRFlag of the United States.svg  Fred Hemmings  (USA)–Flag of the United States.svg  Margo Godfrey  (USA)–
1970 - Torquay / Lorne / Johanna, AUSFlag of the United States.svg  Rolf Aurness  (USA)–Flag of the United States.svg  Sharon Webber  (USA)–
1972 - San Diego, USAFlag of the United States.svg  Jimmy Blears  (USA)–Flag of the United States.svg  Sharon Webber [2] (USA)–
Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships
1973Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Ian Cairns  (AUS)–––
1974Flag of the United States.svg Reno Abellira (USA)–––
1975Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Mark Richards  (AUS)–––
IPS World Circuit
1976Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Peter Townend  (AUS)5,593––
1977Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Shaun Tomson  (RSA)5,948.3Flag of the United States.svg  Margo Oberg  (USA)4,850
1978Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Wayne Bartholomew  (AUS)5,749.25Flag of the United States.svg  Lynne Boyer  (USA)3,986.14
1979Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Mark Richards [2] (AUS)6,781.14Flag of the United States.svg  Lynne Boyer [2] (USA)3,722.50
1980Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Mark Richards [3] (AUS)6,890Flag of the United States.svg  Margo Oberg [2] (USA)2,000
1981Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Mark Richards [4] (AUS)6,211.52Flag of the United States.svg  Margo Oberg [3] (USA)3,850
1982Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Mark Richards [5] (AUS)6,917Flag of the United States.svg  Debbie Beacham  (USA)3,059.14
ASP World Tour
1983/84Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Tom Carroll  (AUS)6,830Flag of the United States.svg  Kim Mearig  (USA)3,125
1984/85Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Tom Carroll [2] (AUS)9,460.38Flag of the United States.svg  Freida Zamba  (USA)3,400
1985/86Flag of the United States.svg  Tom Curren  (USA)11,490Flag of the United States.svg  Freida Zamba [2] (USA)5,320
1986/87Flag of the United States.svg  Tom Curren [2] (USA)13,115Flag of the United States.svg  Freida Zamba [3] (USA)9,230
1987/88Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Damien Hardman  (AUS)13,690Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Wendy Botha  (RSA)8,220
1988Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Barton Lynch  (AUS)17,475Flag of the United States.svg  Freida Zamba [4] (USA)7,960
1989Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Martin Potter  (UK)20,665Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Wendy Botha [2] (AUS)14,380
1990Flag of the United States.svg  Tom Curren [3] (USA)17,612Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Pam Burridge  (AUS)14,440
1991Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Damien Hardman [2] (AUS)12,854Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Wendy Botha [3] (AUS)7,424
1992Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater  (USA)7,765Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Wendy Botha [4] (AUS)10,205
1993Flag of Hawaii.svg  Derek Ho  (HAW)5,510Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Pauline Menczer  (AUS)7,080
1994Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater [2] (USA)6,660Flag of the United States.svg  Lisa Andersen  (USA)7,650
1995Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater [3] (USA)6,040Flag of the United States.svg  Lisa Andersen [2] (USA)12,920
1996Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater [4] (USA)9,540Flag of the United States.svg  Lisa Andersen [3] (USA)12,750
1997Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater [5] (USA)8,260Flag of the United States.svg  Lisa Andersen [4] (USA)8,520
1998Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater [6] (USA)6,398Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Layne Beachley  (AUS)7,920
1999 Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Mark Occhilupo  (AUS)7,120Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Layne Beachley [2] (AUS)8,080
2000 Flag of Hawaii.svg  Sunny Garcia  (HAW)7,270Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Layne Beachley [3] (AUS)5,730
2001 Flag of the United States.svg  C. J. Hobgood  (USA)3,094Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Layne Beachley [4] (AUS)1,760
2002 Flag of Hawaii.svg  Andy Irons  (HAW)8,102Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Layne Beachley [5] (AUS)3,200
2003 Flag of Hawaii.svg  Andy Irons [2] (HAW)8,964Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Layne Beachley [6] (AUS)3,696
2004 Flag of Hawaii.svg  Andy Irons [3] (HAW)7,824Flag of Peru.svg  Sofia Mulanovich  (PER)5,484
2005 Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater [7] (USA)7,962Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Chelsea Georgeson  (AUS)7,080
2006 Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater [8] (USA)8,124Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Layne Beachley [7] (AUS)6,374
2007 Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Mick Fanning  (AUS)8,136Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Stephanie Gilmore  (AUS)6,708
2008 Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater [9] (USA)8,042Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Stephanie Gilmore [2] (AUS)7,188
2009 Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Mick Fanning [2] (AUS)7,140Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Stephanie Gilmore [3] (AUS)6,169
2010 Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater [10] (USA)69,000Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Stephanie Gilmore [4] (AUS)7,284
2011 Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater [11] (USA)68,100Flag of Hawaii.svg  Carissa Moore  (HAW)55,000
2012 Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Joel Parkinson  (AUS)58,700Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Stephanie Gilmore [5] (AUS)48,400
2013 Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Mick Fanning [3] (AUS)54,400Flag of Hawaii.svg  Carissa Moore [2] (HAW)59,500
2014 Flag of Brazil.svg  Gabriel Medina  (BRA)62,800Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Stephanie Gilmore [6] (AUS)64,200
WSL
2015 Flag of Brazil.svg  Adriano De Souza  (BRA)57,700Flag of Hawaii.svg  Carissa Moore [3] (HAW)66,200
2016 Flag of Hawaii.svg  John John Florence  (HAW)59,850Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Tyler Wright  (AUS)72,500
2017 Flag of Hawaii.svg  John John Florence [2] (HAW)58,100Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Tyler Wright [2] (AUS)54,400
2018 Flag of Brazil.svg  Gabriel Medina [2] (BRA)62,490Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Stephanie Gilmore [7] (AUS)61,175
2019 Flag of Brazil.svg  Italo Ferreira  (BRA)59,740Flag of Hawaii.svg  Carissa Moore [4] (HAW)59,940
2020Cancelled cross.svgCancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic [33]
2021 Flag of Brazil.svg  Gabriel Medina [3] (BRA)43,400Flag of Hawaii.svg  Carissa Moore [5] (HAW)37,700
2022 Flag of Brazil.svg  Filipe Toledo  (BRA)54,690Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Stephanie Gilmore [8] (AUS)46,370
2023 Flag of Brazil.svg  Filipe Toledo [2] (BRA)58,300Flag of the United States.svg  Caroline Marks  (USA)59,870
2024 Flag of Hawaii.svg  John John Florence [3] (HAW)49,530Flag of the United States.svg  Caitlin Simmers  (USA)52,930
2025

Surfers with the most World Tour wins (Men)

PositionNameNationSteps Won
1° Kelly Slater Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 56
2° Tom Curren Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 33
3° Tom Carroll Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 26
4° Mick Fanning Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 22
5° Andy Irons Flag of Hawaii.svg  Hawaii 20
6° Damien Hardman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 19
7° Gabriel Medina Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 18
8° Barton Lynch Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 17
8° Mark Richards Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 17
8° Filipe Toledo Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 17
10° Martin Potter Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 16
12° Joel Parkinson Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 12
12° Mark Occhilupo Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 12
12° Cheyne Horan Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 12
12° Shaun Tomson Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 12

WSL Longboard Championship Tour champions

Annual Longboard champions, since Men's event started in 1986/87 and Women's in 1999, as recorded by World Surf League and correct as of 5 October 2022. [32]

YearWSL Men's World Longboard TourWSL Women's World Longboard Tour
NamePointsNamePoints
1986/87Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Nat Young  (AUS)–––
1987/88Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Stuart Entwistle  (AUS)–––
1988Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Nat Young [2] (AUS)–––
1989Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Nat Young [3] (AUS)–––
1990Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Nat Young [4] (AUS)–––
1991Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Martin McMillan  (AUS)–––
1992Flag of the United States.svg  Joey Hawkins  (USA)–––
1993Flag of Hawaii.svg  Rusty Keaulana  (HAW)–––
1994Flag of Hawaii.svg  Rusty Keaulana [2] (HAW)–––
1995Flag of Hawaii.svg  Rusty Keaulana [3] (HAW)–––
1996Flag of Hawaii.svg  Bonga Perkins  (HAW)–––
1997Flag of Hawaii.svg  Dino Miranda  (HAW)–––
1998Flag of the United States.svg  Joel Tudor  (USA)–––
1999Flag of the United States.svg  Colin McPhillips  (USA)–Flag of the United States.svg  Daize Shayne  (USA)–
2000Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Beau Young  (AUS)–Flag of the United States.svg  Cori Schumacher  (USA)–
2001Flag of the United States.svg  Colin McPhillips [2] (USA)–Flag of the United States.svg  Cori Schumacher [2] (USA)–
2002Flag of the United States.svg  Colin McPhillips [3] (USA)–Flag of the United States.svg  Kim Hamrock  (USA)–
2003Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Beau Young [2] (AUS)–Flag of the United States.svg  Daize Shayne [2] (USA)–
2004Flag of the United States.svg  Joel Tudor [2] (USA)–Flag of the United States.svg  Summer Romero  (USA)–
2005Cancelled cross.svgCancelled–Flag of the United States.svg  Kristy Murphy  (USA)–
2006Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Josh Constable  (AUS)–Flag of the United States.svg  Schuyler McFerran  (USA)–
2007Flag of Brazil.svg  Phil Rajzman  (BRA)–Flag of the United States.svg Jennifer Smith (USA)–
2008Flag of Hawaii.svg  Bonga Perkins [2] (HAW)–Flag of Hawaii.svg  Joy Magelssen Monahan  (HAW)–
2009Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Harley Ingleby  (AUS)–Flag of the United States.svg Jennifer Smith[2] (USA)–
2010Flag of Hawaii.svg  Duane DeSoto  (HAW)–Flag of the United States.svg  Cori Schumacher [3] (USA)–
2011Flag of the United States.svg  Taylor Jensen  (USA)16,000Flag of the United States.svg  Lindsay Steinriede  (USA)15,200
2012Flag of the United States.svg  Taylor Jensen [2] (USA)-Flag of Hawaii.svg  Kelia Moniz  (HAW)-
2013Flag of Peru.svg  Piccolo Clemente  (PER)-Flag of Hawaii.svg  Kelia Moniz [2] (HAW)-
2014Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Harley Ingleby [2] (AUS)10,000Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Chelsea Williams  (AUS)10,000
2015Flag of Peru.svg  Piccolo Clemente [2] (PER)10,000Flag of the United States.svg  Rachael Tilly  (USA)10,000
2016Flag of Brazil.svg  Phil Rajzman [2] (BRA)10,000Flag of the United States.svg  Tory Gilkerson  (USA)10,000
2017Flag of the United States.svg  Taylor Jensen [3] (USA)15,200Flag of Hawaii.svg  Honolua Blomfield  (HAW)16,500
2018Flag of South Africa.svg  Steven Sawyer  (ZAF)10,000Flag of the United States.svg  Soleil Errico  (USA)10,000
2019Flag of the United States.svg  Justin Quintal  (USA)18,500Flag of Hawaii.svg  Honolua Blomfield [2] (HAW)20,500
2020Cancelled cross.svgCancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic [33]
2021Flag of the United States.svg  Joel Tudor [3] (USA)20,000Flag of Hawaii.svg  Honolua Blomfield [3] (HAW)20,500
2022Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Harrison Roach  (AUS)15,000Flag of the United States.svg  Soleil Errico [2] (USA)13,042
2023Flag of Hawaii.svg  Kai Sallas  (HAW)18,085Flag of the United States.svg  Soleil Errico [3] (USA)20,830
2024Flag of the United States.svg  Taylor Jensen [4] (USA)10,000Flag of the United States.svg  Rachael Tilly [2] (USA)7,282

WSL World Junior champions

Annual Junior champions, since Men's event started in 1998 and Women's in 2005, as recorded by the Association of Surfing Pros through to 2012. [34]

Data since 2013 provided by...[ citation needed ]

YearWSL Men's World JuniorWSL Women's World Junior
NamePointsNamePoints
1998Flag of Hawaii.svg  Andy Irons  (HAW)---
1999Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Joel Parkinson  (AUS)---
2000Flag of Brazil.svg  Pedro Henrique  (BRA)---
2001Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Joel Parkinson [2] (AUS)---
2002Cancelled cross.svgCancelled (no dates available)---
2003Flag of Brazil.svg  Adriano De Souza  (BRA)---
2004Flag of Brazil.svg  Pablo Paulino  (BRA)---
2005Flag of Hawaii.svg  Kekoa Bacalso  (HAW)-Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Jessi Miley-Dyer  (AUS)-
2006Flag of South Africa.svg  Jordy Smith  (ZAF)-Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Nicola Atherton  (AUS)-
2007Flag of Brazil.svg  Pablo Paulino [2] (BRA)-Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Sally Fitzgibbons  (AUS)-
2008Flag of Hawaii.svg  Kai Barger  (HAW)–Flag of France.svg  Pauline Ado  (FRA)-
2009Flag of France.svg  Maxime Huscenot  (FRA)-Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Laura Enever  (AUS)-
2010Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Jack Freestone  (AUS)-Flag of France.svg  Alizee Arnaud  (FRA)-
2011Flag of Brazil.svg  Caio Ibelli  (BRA)-Flag of Hawaii.svg  Leila Hurst  (HAW)-
2012Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Jack Freestone [2] (AUS)-Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Nikki van Dijk  (AUS)-
2013Flag of Brazil.svg  Gabriel Medina  (BRA)-Flag of New Zealand.svg  Ella Williams  (NZL)-
2014Flag of Portugal.svg  Vasco Ribeiro  (POR)-Flag of Hawaii.svg  Mahina Maeda  (HAW)-
2015Flag of Brazil.svg Lucas Silveira (BRA)-Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Isabella Nichols  (AUS)-
2016Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Ethan Ewing  (AUS)-Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Macy Callaghan  (AUS)-
2017Flag of Hawaii.svg  Finn McGill  (HAW)-Flag of French Polynesia.svg  Vahine Fierro  (PYF)-
2018Flag of Brazil.svg  Mateus Herdy  (BRA)-Flag of the United States.svg  Kirra Pinkerton  (USA)-
2019Flag of Brazil.svg  Lucas Vicente  (BRA)-Flag of Japan.svg  Amuro Tsuzuki  (JPN)-
2020Cancelled cross.svgCancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic [33]
2021Cancelled cross.svgCancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic [35]
2022Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Jarvis Earle  (AUS)-Flag of Portugal.svg  Francisca Veselko  (POR)-
2023Flag of the United States.svg  Jett Schilling  (USA)-Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Sierra Kerr  (AUS)-

WSL Big Wave Tour champions

Annual Big Wave champions, since Men's event started in 2009 and Women's in 2016, as recorded by ... and correct as of ...[ citation needed ]

YearWSL World Big Wave TourWSL Women's World Big Wave Tour
NamePointsNamePoints
2009Flag of Brazil.svg  Carlos Burle  (BRA)2,443
2010Flag of Hawaii.svg  Jamie Sterling  (HAW)2,509
2011Flag of the United States.svg  Peter Mel  (USA)1,472
2012Flag of the United States.svg  Greg Long  (USA)2,155
2013Flag of South Africa.svg  Grant Baker  (RSA)2,459
2014Flag of Hawaii.svg  Makuakai Rothman  (HAW)20,833
2015Flag of the United States.svg  Greg Long  (USA)21,266
2016Flag of South Africa.svg  Grant Baker  (RSA)25,018Flag of Hawaii.svg  Paige Alms  (HAW)12,500
2017Flag of Hawaii.svg  Billy Kemper  (HAW)27,140Flag of Hawaii.svg  Paige Alms  (HAW)10,000
2018Flag of South Africa.svg  Grant Baker  (RSA)16,305Flag of Hawaii.svg  Keala Kennelly  (HAW)12,100
2019XXL Biggest WaveFlag of Hawaii.svg  Kai Lenny  (HAW)Flag of France.svg  Justine Dupont  (FRA)
Paddle of the yearFlag of South Africa.svg  Grant Baker  (RSA)Flag of the United States.svg  Andrea Moller  (USA)
Overall performanceFlag of Hawaii.svg  Kai Lenny  (HAW)Flag of France.svg  Justine Dupont  (FRA)
Wipeout of the yearFlag of Hawaii.svg  Makuakai Rothman  (HAW)
Ride of the yearFlag of South Africa.svg  Grant Baker  (RSA)
2020XXL Biggest WaveFlag of Hawaii.svg  Kai Lenny  (HAW)Flag of Brazil.svg  Maya Gabeira  (BRA)
Paddle of the yearFlag of Hawaii.svg Eli Olson (HAW)Flag of Hawaii.svg  Paige Alms  (HAW)
Overall performanceFlag of Hawaii.svg  Kai Lenny  (HAW)Flag of France.svg  Justine Dupont  (FRA)
Wipeout of the yearFlag of Hawaii.svg Keala Kennelly (HAW)
Ride of the yearFlag of Hawaii.svg Billy Kemper (HAW)Flag of France.svg  Justine Dupont  (FRA)
2021Biggest TowFlag of Germany.svg  Sebastian Steudtner  (GER)Flag of France.svg  Justine Dupont  (FRA)
Paddle of the yearFlag of Hawaii.svg  Kai Lenny  (HAW)Flag of Hawaii.svg  Paige Alms  (HAW)
Overall performanceFlag of Hawaii.svg  Kai Lenny  (HAW)Flag of France.svg  Justine Dupont  (FRA)
Ride of the yearFlag of the United States.svg  Peter Mel  (USA)Flag of France.svg  Justine Dupont  (FRA)
2022Biggest TowFlag of the United States.svg Mason Barnes (USA)Flag of France.svg  Justine Dupont  (FRA)
Paddle of the yearFlag of Hawaii.svg Billy Kemper (HAW)Flag of Hawaii.svg Annie Reichert (HAW)
Overall performance
Ride of the yearFlag of Italy.svg Francisco Porcella (ITA)Flag of France.svg  Justine Dupont  (FRA)

Men's Triple Crown Champions

YearWSL Triple Crown Champions
NamePoints
1983Flag of Hawaii.svg  Michael Ho  (HAW)-
1984Flag of Hawaii.svg  Derek Ho  (HAW)-
1985Flag of Hawaii.svg  Michael Ho  (HAW)-
1986Flag of Hawaii.svg  Derek Ho  (HAW)-
1987Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Tom Carroll  (AUS)-
1988Flag of Hawaii.svg  Derek Ho  (HAW)-
1989Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Gary Elkerton  (AUS)-
1990Flag of Hawaii.svg  Derek Ho  (HAW)-
1991Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Tom Carroll  (AUS)-
1992Flag of Hawaii.svg  Sunny Garcia  (HAW)-
1993Flag of Hawaii.svg  Sunny Garcia  (HAW)-
1994Flag of Hawaii.svg  Sunny Garcia  (HAW)-
1995Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater  (USA)-
1996Flag of Hawaii.svg  Kaipo Jaquias  (HAW)-
1997Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Michael Rommelse  (AUS)-
1998Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater  (USA)-
1999Flag of Hawaii.svg  Sunny Garcia  (HAW)-
2000Flag of Hawaii.svg  Sunny Garcia  (HAW)-
2001Flag of Hawaii.svg  Myles Padaca  (HAW)-
2002Flag of Hawaii.svg  Andy Irons  (HAW)-
2003Flag of Hawaii.svg  Andy Irons  (HAW)-
2004Flag of Hawaii.svg  Sunny Garcia  (HAW)-
2005Flag of Hawaii.svg  Andy Irons  (HAW)-
2006Flag of Hawaii.svg  Andy Irons  (HAW)-
2007Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Bede Durbidge  (AUS)-
2008Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Joel Parkinson  (AUS)-
2009Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Joel Parkinson  (AUS)-
2010Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Joel Parkinson  (AUS)-
2011Flag of Hawaii.svg  John John Florence  (HAW)-
2012Flag of Hawaii.svg  Sebastian Zietz  (HAW)-
2013Flag of Hawaii.svg  John John Florence  (HAW)-
2014Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Julian Wilson  (AUS)-
2015Flag of Brazil.svg  Gabriel Medina  (BRA)-
2016Flag of Hawaii.svg  John John Florence  (HAW)-
2017Flag of the United States.svg  Griffin Colapinto  (USA)-
2018Flag of Brazil.svg  Jessé Mendes  [ pt ] (BRA)17,100
2019Flag of the United States.svg  Kelly Slater  (USA)13,900
2020Flag of Hawaii.svg  John John Florence  (HAW)11.17
2021Flag of Hawaii.svg  John John Florence  (HAW)-
2023Flag of Hawaii.svg  Finn McGill  (HAW)-

NOTE: Only one event of the 2020 Triple Crown was held because of the pandemic.

Top Nations

NationChampionship Tour (CT)
(Men & Women)		Junior Championships (JC)
(Boys & Girls)		Big Wave Championship Tour (BW)
(Men & Women)		Longboard Championships (LC)
(Men & Women)		Total
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 41133075
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 4413-1370
Flag of Hawaii.svg  Hawaii 13631436
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 791219
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 21317
Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 2--24
Flag of France.svg  France -3--3
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal -2--2
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1---1
Flag of French Polynesia.svg  French Polynesia -1--1
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand -1--1
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan -1--1

See also

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References

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  2. ↑ "World Surf League, Frequently Asked Questions, What is the WSL?" . Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "ASP World Surfing Tour taken over by US media company Zo-Sea for 2014 season". ABC News. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  4. ↑ ASP Announces World Surf League: Letter from CEO, 12 September 2014 The WSL has been criticized on BeachGrit and may other surf web sites for rarely having good waves at its contests. The solution is longer waiting periods in places like Hawaii, Tahiti and Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Archived 5 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 28 November 2014)
  5. ↑ "Sophie Goldschmidt Appointed CEO of World Surf League". WSL. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  6. ↑ "Surfing Articles: Latest Surf News, Videos, & Photos at Surfline".
  7. 1 2 Badenhausen, Kurt. "Facebook And World Surf League Announce Exclusive Partnership". Forbes. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  8. ↑ "Erik Logan Named WSL CEO". 2 September 2020.
  9. ↑ "World Surf League CEO Logan exits mid-season". Reuters. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  10. ↑ "World Surf League Welcomes Ryan Crosby as New CEO". World Surf League. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  11. ↑ ISA President's Message.. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  12. ↑ Surfing And The Olympics . Retrieved 30 August 2015.
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  14. 1 2 "The World Surf League (WSL) Announces Prize Money Equality". World Surf League. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  15. ↑ "WSL Cancels All Events in March". World Surf League. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "WSL Cancels or Postpones All Events Through May". World Surf League. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  17. ↑ Rielly, Derek (5 January 2021). "World Surf League cancels events two and three on 2021 tour, Sunset Beach, Steamer Lane; Rip Curl Pro at Bells possible year opener!". BeachGrit.com. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  18. ↑ "2015 Men's Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  19. ↑ "2015 Women's Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
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  21. 1 2 3 "2015 Women's Qualifying Series". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  22. ↑ "2015 Men's Longboard Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  23. ↑ "2015 Women's Longboard Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
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  25. ↑ "2015 Women's Junior Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  26. ↑ "2015 Big Wave Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  27. ↑ WSL Commissioner's Address: "Performance Rules Everything" . Retrieved 30 August 2015.
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  31. ↑ "2015 Women's Championship Tour Jeep® Leaderboard". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  32. 1 2 "History - Historic Results". WorldSurfLeague.com. 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  33. 1 2 3 Minsberg, Talya (17 July 2020). "World Surf League Cancels 2020 Season and Revamps Future Tours". The New York Times . Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  34. ↑ "ASP World Tour Champions 1976–2012". ASP World Tour. 2013. Archived from the original on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  35. ↑ "2021 WSL Junior Championships Cancelled". September 2021.
  36. ↑ "ISA Member Directory". International Surfing Association. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  37. ↑ "Olympics: IOC adds five new sports to Games for Tokyo 2020". CNN Sports. 4 August 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
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