Who is the greatest surfer of all time and why?

Question

Who is the greatest surfer of all time and why?

Answer 1

The Silver Surfer. Because he just is.

Answer 2

just because someone wins competitions doesn't mean they're the best surfer of all time. There are plenty of surfers who don't do competitions and might be just as good.

Bethany Hamilton should be considered one of the greatest surfers because she only has one arm...the other got bitten off by a shark.... and she still rips. Thats hardcore.

Answer 3

Kelly Slater, cause he's still going!!

Answer 4

Kelly Slater, cause he won 7 WCT.

Answer 5

my all time favorite is bruce irons, hes got the best style ever

Answer 6

Kelly Slater. Because he rules. No arguments. No comparison.

In his first full year on the tour, at age 21, Slater proved that the hype was well deserved by claiming the world title -- the youngest surfer ever to do so. But more than that, he ignited an absolute revolution. When he was captured by videographer Taylor Steele in Momentum flicks, Slater ushered in the New School of surfing. Gone were the days of letting the wave dictate the ride. Slater drew lines never before imagined, not even from drawings on your high school notebooks.

The best surfers in the world, mesmerised and feeling inadequate, studied his every heat. To the point of boredom, he would almost play dead in the early stages before mounting an inconceivable late-heat comeback. Everyone else looked pathetic in comparison.

Slater continued to rack up world titles after world titles. After an unprecedented seven, he eased into semi-retirement at age 26 with nothing left to prove.

Answer 7

Eric Jackson in his Kayak

Answer 8

Me cause i'm on the internet 24/7

Answer 9

Jeremy Rawson

Answer 10

I agree that in racking up world titles Kelly Slater is great, but of all time I am not sure, there are a lot of guys and gals out there who aren't pros and yet can surf the sh.t out of a wave.  In my day the best were:

Corky Carrol

Mickey Munoz

Mickey Dora

Dewey Weber

Bill Bragg

Myself (and I won't reveal my identity)

Rick Irons

Anyone who surfed longboards before "Gidget" came out.

It really doesn't matter, just go to the water enjoy what nature has given us and have a great time, if you body surf, boogie board, longboard or shortboard just enjoy the ocean is ours to share.

Answer 11

Laird Hamilton

Rent "Laird" and you'll see why.

Answer 12

Kelly Slater...   Obviosly...

Answer 13

The chap in the Old Spice adverts in the 1970s.....great surfer, great music in Carmina burana and I guess promoted the sale of millions of bottles of horrible after shave to your 1970s "cool dudes"!!

Answer 14

Kelly Slater, he won 7 world titles and is still in first place

Answer 15

Laird Hamilton, he's above competition.

Answer 16

Mickey Dora - original bad*ss.

Answer 17

Kelly Slater.... because even I know who he is (and I know nothing about surfing!).

Answer 18

Sir Timothy Berners-Lee, lol.  As you must know he invented the web, so that makes him the first and all time best surfer!!  Wouldn't you all agree??