How Much Do Pro Surfers Make In 2024?

The sun-kissed beaches, the sound of crashing waves, and the thrill of riding a perfect wave – these are just a few things that come to mind when we think of surfing. But what about the financial aspect?

In 2024, professional surfers could be making some serious dough. That’s right, the laid-back sport is not just about catching waves anymore.

With its growing popularity and potential for lucrative sponsorships and endorsements, experts predict that professional surfers could be raking in some serious cash.

So, How Much Do Pro Surfers Make in 2024?

The average annual income of the world’s top QS surfer is around $65,000. The winner of each QS 10,000 event receives $30,000 in prize money. The World Surf League (WSL) Championship tour awards $100,000 to event winners. The total prize pool for men’s competition is $607,800, and for women’s it’s $420,800.

Let’s start now.

What Is A Surf Competition And Why Do They Matter?

These events witness huge crowds and receive widespread media coverage, bringing attention to the sport and its athletes. Moreover, they serve as a platform for pro surfers to secure lucrative sponsorships and endorsements, adding to their earnings.

In terms of economic impact, surf competitions have been instrumental in driving the growth of the industry, largely due to the popularity of professional surfers. These events also generate substantial revenue for local businesses in small coastal towns where they are held.

Apart from their contribution to the economy, surf competitions play a crucial role in raising awareness about environmental issues within the surfing community. Many competitions incorporate beach cleanups and other eco-friendly initiatives, highlighting the importance of ocean conservation and preserving surfing spots for future generations.

Additionally, surf competitions have played a pivotal role in narrowing the gender pay gap in surfing, with male and female athletes now receiving equal pay on the World Surf League tour. This not only promotes gender equality but also attracts more female athletes to the sport.

How Do Surfing Competitions Work?

Professional surfers have various avenues to earn money, such as sponsorships, influencer marketing, surf coaching, and prize money. These sponsorships offer top pro surfers base salaries ranging from $200,000 to over $2 million per year and come from big brands competing for the best surfer deals. However, due to mergers in the industry, this competition has decreased.

In 2021, the surfer with the highest earnings is Gabriel Medina, raking in over $2.2 million in sponsorships. However, the pandemic has negatively impacted the income of some top surfers, like John John Florence, whose earnings decreased by a staggering 80%.

Professional surfers also earn a significant amount from prize money in surfing competitions, ranging from $100,000 for the champion to over $1 million divided among ranked surfers.

Since 2018, all World Surf League (WSL) events have implemented equal pay policies, leading to increased prize money and more opportunities for women surfers. This move has helped bridge the gender pay gap in the sport and attract more female athletes to compete at a professional level.

Apart from sponsorships and prize money, professional surfers can also earn through surf coaching. Surf instructors make an average of $15 per hour teaching group classes or around $50 per hour for private lessons.

Additionally, social media is another lucrative source of income for pro surfers, with many leveraging influencer marketing and affiliate partnerships to promote products and brands to their followers.

The income of professional surfers is also influenced by factors such as their ranking in competitions, their popularity and social media following, and their success in securing sponsorships. Some of the highest-paid pro surfers include Kelly Slater with a net worth of $25 million and John John Florence with annual earnings of around $5 million.

How Much Do Surfers Make From Competitions?

In the ever-evolving world of surfing, pro surfers’ earnings have been influenced by various factors such as sponsorships, prize money, endorsements, and coaching opportunities. This has become even more apparent in recent years with the rise of social media and changes within the surfing industry. Along with these factors, the ongoing pandemic has also played a significant role in affecting pro surfer salaries, resulting in contract cuts and event cancellations.

Despite these challenges, top male surfers continue to rake in substantial incomes through lucrative sponsorships and event prize money. Moreover, major changes within the industry have led to a monumental shift towards gender equality, with male and female surfers receiving equal pay in competitions since 201In addition to competing, many pro surfers also earn a living through teaching lessons. On average, group classes can fetch an hourly rate of $15 while private lessons can command even higher prices.

As a result of all these factors, the amount of money pro surfers make from competitions has fluctuated significantly in recent years. The pandemic has magnified the effects of these changes, resulting in a shift in how pro surfers earn their income.

How Much Do Competition Runner Ups Make?

Just like any other sport, the earnings for professional surfers can greatly vary depending on their performance and standing in competitions. In 2024, a runner-up in a major surfing competition can expect to earn anywhere between $25,000 to $100,000 in prize money.

This amount is in addition to their base salary and potential sponsorships and endorsements. The exact amount earned will depend on the specific competition and its prize pool, as well as the surfer’s current ranking and popularity.

In fact, professional surfers may also earn income through other sources such as social media influencing and brand partnerships. This means that while competition earnings are a significant aspect of a pro surfer’s income, they are not the sole factor to consider.

It is important to note that these earnings are not set in stone and may change depending on the state of the industry and the individual surfer’s performance.

However, one thing remains certain – pro surfers can expect to earn a comfortable living through a combination of base salaries, competition earnings, sponsorships, and other opportunities. While it may not be as financially rewarding as other professional sports, surfing offers a unique lifestyle that many find appealing.

As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it is highly likely that pro surfers will see an increase in earnings, making it a viable career option for those passionate about the sport.

Just How Much Do The Top Surfers Make?

In 2024, the top surfers are expected to continue earning high salaries through a combination of sponsorships, competition winnings, and social media influencing. However, compared to previous years, there may be fluctuations in their incomes due to external factors such as pandemics or changes in brand ownership.

Below is a table comparing the estimated earnings of the top surfers in 2024 compared to previous years.

It’s important to note that these estimated earnings are not set in stone and may change due to various factors, making them subject to variation. However, they provide an insight into the potential earnings of the top surfers in the near future.

What Makes A Surfer Worthy of Sponsorship?

When evaluating potential sponsorship opportunities for surfers, brands take into account a variety of factors. These include, but are not limited to:

• Surfing talent and potential: One crucial aspect that brands consider when sponsoring a surfer is their surfing skill and potential. Brands want to align themselves with talented and promising surfers who have the potential to win competitions and gain exposure for their brand.
• Social media influence: In today’s digital age, a strong social media presence is essential for securing sponsorships. Brands look for surfers who have a significant following on popular platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. This allows them to reach a wider audience and effectively promote their products or services.
• Participation in competitions: Surfing competitions provide an excellent opportunity for surfers to showcase their skills and gain exposure to potential sponsors. Brands may prioritize surfers who have a proven track record in competitions and consistently perform well.
• Professionalism and commitment: Sponsors expect surfers to take their sponsorship seriously and treat it as a job. This includes being punctual, reliable, and professional in all aspects of their sponsorship commitments.
• Giving back to sponsors: Sponsors invest in surfers with the expectation that they will promote their brand and products to their followers. Therefore, brands may favor surfers who actively engage with their sponsors by regularly posting sponsored content on social media or participating in promotional events.
• Positive personality: Being a nice person can go a long way in securing sponsorships. Brands want to associate themselves with surfers who have a positive attitude, are easy to work with, and can represent their brand in a positive light.
• Unique style and image: A surfer’s individual style and image can also play a role in attracting sponsorships. Brands may look for surfers who have a unique style that sets them apart from others in the industry and aligns with the brand’s image.
• Persistence and hard work: Getting sponsored in the surfing industry is no easy feat and requires persistence and hard work. Brands may consider surfers who have shown dedication and determination in pursuing their dreams, even in the face of rejection.

Do Male And Female Surfers Earn The Same Amount?

Despite ongoing efforts to close the gender pay gap in the world of professional surfing, a substantial difference in earnings remains between male and female surfers. It is a well-known fact that female surfers earn significantly less than their male counterparts, despite putting in the same amount of hard work and dedication to their craft.

But as society becomes more aware of this issue and advocates for change, there is hope that the surfing industry will take significant steps towards achieving equal pay for both male and female surfers by 202This is a crucial step towards promoting gender equality and ensuring that female athletes are valued and compensated fairly for their talents and contributions to the sport.

While progress has been made in recent years, with some sponsors offering equal prize money for male and female surfers, there is still a long way to go. The disparity in earnings is not just limited to prize money but also includes sponsorship deals, endorsements, and other sources of income within the industry.

One factor that contributes to this gap is the difference in media coverage and exposure between male and female surfers. Male surfers are often given more airtime and featured more prominently in media coverage, leading to greater visibility and opportunities for sponsorships. This disparity also extends to social media, where male surfers typically have more followers and engagement compared to their female counterparts.

Another issue is the lack of investment in women’s surfing compared to men’s. This results in fewer competitions, smaller prize purses, and less overall support for female surfers. This not only affects their earnings but also limits their opportunities to grow and compete at the highest level.

Also Read: Can Longboards Surf Big Waves?

Conclusion

In 2024, professional surfers are predicted to experience a considerable rise in their income.

It is estimated that the top male surfer could potentially earn over $10 million annually through sponsorships and endorsements. This surge in earnings can be attributed to the increasing popularity of surfing as a sport and the potential for lucrative opportunities such as social media influencing and exposure at the Olympics.

Moreover, surfing competitions have become instrumental in driving industry growth and advocating for important causes such as environmental conservation and gender equality.