The World’s Richest Surfers (Per Celebrity Net Worth)

Aside from being surfing’s GOAT, Slater has his hands dipped in multiple entrepreneurial pies. He’s got a surfboard brand (Slater Designs), a clothing company (Outerknown), a footwear line (KLLY), a wave pool business (Kelly Slater Wave Company), and a skincare venture (Freaks of Nature). Not to mention all his winnings over the years – it’s been a while, but still – and his endorsement deals. It makes sense that, although speculative, Slater would top this list.

John John Florence ($12 Million)

In 2018, fresh off his second world title win, Celebrity Net Worth named John John Florence the “highest-paid surfer on the planet.” That was a result of competition winnings and sponsorship endorsements (a total of $5 million for the year, according to the site). Since then, a lot has changed for John. He’s taken time away from competition, returned to win the 2024 world title, become a father, and perhaps most importantly for this investigation, started his own namesake brand.

Laird Hamilton ($10 Million)

The godfather of tow surfing, a pioneer in all things big waves, and the proud proprietor of a physique resembling a Hellenistic statue, Laird Hamilton’s influence on modern-day surfing is palpable. However, Laird’s path was a bit different; he shied away from competitions, instead becoming a household name simply for charging big waves. And later in his life and career, he put his name behind Laird Superfood – a line of supplements found in grocery stores worldwide.

Mick Fanning ($8 Million)

After Fanning’s 2015 attack/encounter/brush/brawl – whatever you wanna call it – with a great white shark live on TV during the J-Bay Open at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, the three-time world champion became one of the most well-known surfers, if not humans for a short period of time, in the world. And as Fanning coasted into retirement in 2018, he embarked on a new path of his career – one filled with entrepreneurial ventures, like Balter Brewing Company, which he created with Joel Parkinson, Josh Kerr, and Bede Durbidge, then sold for a reported $128 million.

Rob Machado ($6 Million)

Praised for his style, Rob Machado is one of surfing’s most celebrated icons…despite stepping away from the professional, competitive scene more than a decade ago. Since his decision to go sans jersey, Rob helped to forge the modern-day career path of the free-surfer with trips and flicks like 2009’s The Drifter. Still, today, Rob remains a surf fan favorite, due to his enduring legacy. And, in partnership with Firewire, he’s got his own line of surfboards, mostly specializing in fishes, grovelers, and funboards – an uber popular realm of design with the masses of average joe surfers.

Mark Occhilupo ($4 Million)

Occy? Or as Celebrity Net Worth erroneously calls him, Ochy!? Gotta love him. The 1999 world champion has been away from professional surfing for quite some time, but his backside, kinked back-knee, thighs the size of tree trunks technique is still worth celebrating. Current Championship Tour competitors of the right-foot-forward persuasion frequently cite Occy’s approach as inspiration. Where those millions are coming from, however, that’s another question.

Bethany Hamilton ($2 Million)

While all of these net worth speculations are at the very best wildly outdated, and at the worst criminally false, some numbers are obviously higher, some lower. Bethany Hamilton’s might be in the lower category. The shark attack survivor is quite possibly the most recognizable name in surfing, aside from Slater. And with that, comes brand collaborations, sponsored posts to her 2.4 million Instagram fanbase, speaking engagements, and a $249/year subscription service to the Christian-based Bethany Hamilton Network of podcasts, bible studies, family coaching and more.

Alana Blanchard ($2 Million)

In a recent interview with Alana, she told SURFER this about paid partnership posts with brands: “If you’re doing a one-off post, it can be anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000…it’s kind of hard to say.” That’s a considerable amount of cash. However, Alana clarified that she prefers to collaborate further with brands, make it more of a partnership – whatever that means for pricing. Nonetheless, despite stepping away from competition, Alana’s profile in and out of surfing continues to shine. It helps that she and her husband, fellow pro surfer Jack Freestone, are ridiculously good looking. And for Alana, she also has her family YouTube channel, an upcoming appearance on a reality TV show, and a new ambassadorship with luxury sportswear brand, Vuori.

Layne Beachley ($2 Million)

Seven-time world champion, Australia’s Layne Beachley is a legend of the sport, asserting competitive dominance and inspiring generations of female professional surfers to come. Today, she’s inspiring in another way through co-authoring a book, and co-chairing the Awake Academy, designed to help folks find “empowerment through self-discovery and personal growth.” The Academy offers workshops, supplements, motivational talks, and more. Layne’s influence on the surfing world and beyond is still felt now, despite her last world title happening nearly 20 years ago.