Must-Watch Male and Female Surfers in 2024

This year is quickly becoming one of the most exciting in the history of surfing. Not only has the sport appeared for a second time at an Olympic Games, but the world’s best surfers did a fantastic job showcasing the kind of jaw-dropping moves that are possible on a surfboard. Who would’ve thought that surfing would gain such extraordinary recognition worldwide, outside of dedicated circles?

To celebrate the closing of an immensely successful Olympic Games in Paris, we thought we’d introduce you to the top surfing talent you should follow in 2024 – the best male and best female surfers doing our favorite sport proud. 

Top Male Surfers to Watch in 2024

Carlos Muñoz (Costa Rica)

Carlos Muñoz is originally from Esterillos Oeste, on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast. He is widely considered a trailblazer within our local surfing scene, even though several excellent Tico surfers have come before him. However, none managed to reach Carlos’s success and international prominence.

A set of extremely unlucky events saw Cali just miss his qualifying heat at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Yet he came back this year in style and made our country proud in Paris when he qualified as a short-board alternate. It was an incredible feat, given the sky-high level of competition. Carlos is undoubtedly the country’s most famous male surfer right now, swiftly rising in ranks among the world’s best surfers.

Did you know? Muñoz suffered a shoulder injury that was severe enough to require invasive surgery. His intensive, state-of-the-art rehab meant he was back in the WSL circuit a year earlier than doctors had anticipated. What a champ!

Follow @munozcali

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVX2O2yy_5w[/embedyt]

Italo Ferreira (Brazil)

Italo is an outstanding force in the sport and has been sitting at or near the top of international rankings for years. He took home the gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—the first time the sport was included in the competition. Before his winning dash in Tokyo, Italo had already emerged as one of the world’s best surfers, winning the 2019 WSL World Championship.

While Ferreira may not have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics, he has continued to dominate the WSL tour in recent years, thanks to his explosive aerials and outstanding speed on the waves. He is entrancing to watch out when he’s on the waves.

Did you know? Ferreira learned to surf as a child, riding on the lid of the cooler box from which his dad used to sell fish.

Follow @italoferreira

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ILST6hT6SM[/embedyt]

Kanoa Igarashi (Japan)

Kanoa Igarashi, who has Japanese-American heritage, has consistently impressed and performed at top levels for over a decade. Known for his smooth style and strategic approach, Igarashi has earned a reputation as one of the most strategic and elegant surfers out there. In 2016, he was the youngest competitor on the WSL tour and cinched the Vanus US Open for two consecutive years. He hasn’t slowed down since!

After taking home the silver shortboard medal in Tokyo 2020, Igarashi continued to build on his legacy with a fantastic run in Paris. He’s one of the top contenders to watch among the world’s best surfers in the coming days at the 2024 Rip Curl WSL Finals in California.

Did you know? Kanoa was raised to be a champion surfer. His family moved to California from Japan, just so the young gun could grow up on (and in) the waves.

Follow @kanoaiagarashi

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfzRkyozTmw[/embedyt]

Leonardo Fioravanti (Italy)

Fioravanti is leading the way for European surfers on the international stage. The Italian surfer is known for his powerful tourns and quite “out there” maneuvers that have rocked the surfing world. His journey to the top has been a product of remarkable determination, especially after overcoming serious injuries earlier in his career.

Leo was the first Italian surfer to compete at an Olympics game—in Tokyo—when the surfer he had been appointed to alternate had to pull out due to injury. He compounded that feat this year by placing in the top 8 in Paris. In the last two years, Leo has shown incredible progress, winning first, second, and third place in various WSL tournaments.

Did you know? Leo became the first Italian surfer in history to qualify for the WSL world championships. This is amazing when you consider that in 2015, aged just 17, Fioravanti broke two vertebrae while competing at a Deep Blue Surf Event. His comeback and decade-long career since have been nothing short of inspirational.

Follow @leofioravanti

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY5Je0CFWJw[/embedyt]

Top Female Surfers to Watch in 2024

Brisa Hennessy (Costa Rica)

Born in Matapalo, on the Osa Peninsula, Brisa grew up right in the heart of Costa Rica’s surf scene. She is a two-time Olympian and a two-time ISA gold medalist.

Known for her grit, competitive streak, and golden winning smile, Brisa has established herself as one of the world’s best surfers and the best female surfer to emerge from Costa Rica’s waves. She’s the one to watch in 2024! We recently spotlighted Hennessy in our Surfer Highlight Blog.

Did you know? Brisa spent much of her childhood living on a boat with her family. You could say that the love of the ocean runs deep in her veins.

Follow @brisahennessy

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2uvNciOQpM[/embedyt]

Carissa Moore (USA)

Carissa arrived in Paris as the reigning Olympic gold medalist so expectation was high. She’s also a five-time WSL World Champion and a phenomenal force in international surfing. Her powerful yet elegant style has set the bar for the best female surfers worldwide to follow, and she continues to push boundaries both in competition and as an advocate for gender equality in surfing.

A native of the USA, Carissa recently proved that she has remained at the top of her game, securing a second consecutive gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Her dominance in the WSL, highlighted by a win at the Surf Ranch Pro, keeps her in the spotlight. Moore is an absolute delight to watch – read her latest inspiring article on SURFER.

Did you know? At just 17 years old, Carissa was inducted into the Surfer’s Hall of Fame, becoming the youngest surfer in history to receive the honor.

Follow @rissmoore10

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njw0qWLQAA0[/embedyt]

Tatiana Weston-Webb (Brazil)

Considered one of the world’s best female surfers, Tatiana Weston-Webb has a daring surfing style that has pretty much secured her a cult following. The Brazilian surfer, who has American/English roots and lives in Hawaii, consistently lands among the top ranks of the WSL Championship Tour. 

Born into a dedicated surfing family, Tatiana was always destined for greatness. In Paris 2024, she snatched the silver medal, losing to Carissa Moore by the narrowest margin. Back home in Hawaii, the Mayor of her county declared August 14 “Tatiana Weston-Webb Day” in her honor.

Did you know? Tatiana has added a flair of multiculturalism to the surfing scene. She was born in Brazil to an English-born surfer who grew up in the USA and a Brazilian mum who was a champion bodyboarder. What are the chances she wasn’t going to love surfing?!

Follow @tatiwest

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrXGv2zZYMw[/embedyt]

Sally Fitzgibbons (Australia)

An undisputed icon of women’s surfing for years, Sally Fitzgibbons is known for her incredible work ethic, resilience, and graceful style. The Australian-native has constantly vied for the top spots on the WSL tour, ranking #1 after winning the 2019 WSL Rio Pro—the same competition Italo Ferreira won this year.

Sally is one of the most talented women on the circuit and has been inspirational for years. She has actually represented her country, Australia, in numerous events and sports since she was just 14 years old. Fitzgibbons missed out on a podium finish at the Tokyo Olympics and missed qualifying for Paris despite winning her 4th gold at the World Surfing Games. Yet, the multi-talented surfer achieved a major milestone this year, reaching the final at the Roxy Pro France. 

Did you know? Sally founded the Sally Fitzgibbons Foundations back home in Australia, which aims to inspire and nurture a healthy lifestyle in children. 

Follow @sally_fitz

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHdoeuzllP4[/embedyt]

Why the world’s best surfers flock to Costa Rica

Costa Rica boasts some of the world’s most consistent waves and stunning beaches and has long been a haven for surfers—both local and international. The world’s best surfers descend on our shores to practice their craft between international competitions. Here, they find the anonymity and relaxing Pura Vida lifestyle that is often lacking in more prominent surfing hot spots around the world.

At Iguana Surf Camp in Tamarindo, we embody the essence of surfing and its significance in the local culture. Surfing is a way of life down in our corner of Costa Rican paradise—our camp and hotel welcome surfers of all skill levels, from newbies to the immensely experienced. We run multi-day camps and offer personalized private and group lessons – everything you need for a comprehensive and unforgettable surfing vacation in paradise.

Check out our Stellar Packages and contact us to know more.