How many people surf world wide
John Thompson
Updated on March 28, 2026
The International Surfing Association claims around 35 million people surf worldwide, a figure it forecasts will rise to 50 million by 2020.
How many people surf in a year?
Surfing is one of the fastest growing sports People around the globe flock to the coast to relax, exercise, and enjoy the ocean. Growing exponentially at 12% per year, the current surfing population is estimated at approximately 23 million participants.
Which country has the most surfers?
Hawaii. As many will have guessed, Hawaii is the worlds number 1 surf nation (although Hawaii is technically part of the USA, the WSL recognises it as its own sovereign surfing nation). Home of the sport and the winner of the Men’s Championship Tour 2017, the nation was represented by 7 surfers during the 11 events.
How big is the surfing industry?
Surfing market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.2 Billion in the year 2021. Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$600.4 Million by the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 3.1% over the analysis period.Is surfing becoming more popular?
Popularity for surfing has been on a steady rise for three decades, but it’s withstood ebbs and flows in the past. Surfing in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, due to start in July, will invite new interest, just like it does for every participating sport.
How many surfers get injured?
Surfing is regarded as a safe sport. Compared to some other sports the overall risk of injury is low (2.2 injuries per 1,000 surfing days or 0.26 injuries per surfer per year) and the large majority of injuries are not serious. Surfers most often sustain injuries to the leg (46%).
How many people surf in the World 2021?
According to well-established and trusted sources like the ISA, the Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association (SIMA), and Surfing Australia, the worldwide surfing population is estimated at between 17 million and 35 million.
What is the average age of a surfer?
Our analysis reveals that American surfers have a median age of 34 years old, have a college education or above, and are employed full-‐time earning $75,000 a year.How many surfers are in Japan?
Japan’s hang-ten obsession — there are an estimated two million surfers here — supports a thriving local beach culture, from the cafes and gear shops of seashore mecca, Chigasaki, to a cottage industry of artisans.
Is surfing big in Japan?As an island nation with superb beaches, Japan offers plenty of exciting spots where you can hit the waves. Japan has a thriving surfing scene that grows in popularity every year.
Article first time published onWhere is the surf capital of the world?
Beautiful and calm spa located in the central zone of Chile, in the last decades has become worldwide famous because of the quality of its waves and beautiful landscapes that go from the sea to the mountain range, everything together brings the qualified name: Pichilemu, The World Surfing Capital.
What country is best for surfing?
- Gold Coast, Australia. …
- Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa. …
- Bukit Peninsula, Bali, Indonesia. …
- Malibu, California, USA. …
- Oahu, Hawaii, USA. …
- Ericeira, Portugal. …
- Hossegor, France. …
- Santa Cruz, California, USA.
Who is the best surfer?
RankName1-Gabriel Medina Brazil21Filipe Toledo Brazil31Italo Ferreira Brazil44Conner Coffin United States
Is surfing a lifetime sport?
It is something they can continue doing throughout their teenage years, college years and adulthood. When you introduce children to surfing, you can introduce them to a lifetime sport.
Why are surfers so cool?
Surfing is a mood enhancer full of positive feelings and a general reduction of negative emotions. In surfing, it’s just you, your board, and the ocean. The individual struggle with the elements allows for much self-accomplishment; it is very therapeutic.
Who invented surfing?
In 1890, the pioneer in agricultural education John Wrightson reputedly became the first British surfer when instructed by two Hawaiian students at his college. George Freeth (1883–1919) is often credited as being the “Father of Modern Surfing”. He is thought to have been the first modern surfer.
How many surfers are in Europe?
This type of surfing is generally considered one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Estimates of the actual market size vary. In 2012 the ISA reckoned that 35 million people surf worldwide, which may rise to 50 million by 2020 . Some 4.5 million (around 13%) of these surfers are estimated to be European.
Has anyone died surfing?
Some of the most notable are Mark Foo, who died surfing Mavericks on 23 December 1994; Donnie Solomon, who died exactly a year later at Waimea Bay; Todd Chesser, who died at Alligator Rock on the North Shore of Oahu on 14 February 1997; Peter Davi, who died at Ghost Trees on 4 December 2007; Sion Milosky, who died …
Do surfers live longer?
Those who were regular sunbathers tended to live longer than those who were not. They had lower incidences of heart disease and non-heart disease/ non-cancer related deaths. Proportionally, this increased the rate of deaths by cancer, yet overall sunbathers had a longer life expectancy. Lead author of the study, Dr.
How many surfers have died at Jaws?
Seven surfers have died at the break and many more have suffered serious injuries. Once such surfer was Tamayo Perry, a local Hawaiian who was known as one of the best surfers there. In 2005 he was struck by another surfer’s board, the fin lodging in his head.
Is there good surfing in Tokyo?
Olympic Surfing venue at Tokyo 2020 The beach lies in Ichinomiya town on Chiba Prefecture’s Pacific coastline. It is one of the easternmost points of Japan making it particularly suited to any swell that comes from the north, east, or south, depending on the season.
Is surfing part of Olympics?
Surfing is introduced to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. … Surfing is expected to be one of the disciplines in the spotlight in this Olympics. As part of the 33 sports that will take place in the international event, it is one of those sports whose highlights can delight sports fans.
What age do most surfers retire?
On average, a surfer starts his or her professional career at between 14 and 18 years of age and hangs the leash around 35. Nevertheless, we’ve athletes reaching their peak of performance around 35 or 40.
How do I start surfing at 40?
- Get in shape. Surfing at any age can be very physically demanding, especially when you’re older. …
- Book a surf lesson. …
- Tune up your swimming skills. …
- Choose the right surfboard for beginners. …
- Don’t compare yourself to others.
How old is the oldest pro surfer?
At 62 years young Michael Cottier is the world’s oldest professional surfer.
Can you surf in Osaka?
Wakayama Prefecture Wakayama has some of the best reef breaks and point breaks in Japan. It is one of the favorite regions for the Osaka surfing community, and it always has a perfect empty wave waiting for you. With a decent swell, the area produces world-class surf.
Is Tokyo a city in Japan?
Tokyo, formerly (until 1868) Edo, city and capital of Tokyo to (metropolis) and of Japan. It is located at the head of Tokyo Bay on the Pacific coast of central Honshu. It is the focus of the vast metropolitan area often called Greater Tokyo, the largest urban and industrial agglomeration in Japan.
Does Okinawa have surfing?
In Okinawa, the prime months for good surf are commonly from mid-June through mid-March. … Okinawan summer climaxes with several big typhoons, which create a surf smorgasbord for frenzied surfers. Summer swells are generally long-period swells: The waves are created by storms far removed from Okinawa’s coasts.
Do people get addicted to surfing?
Dopamine is addictive, which causes us to obsessively think about when that next reward of fun waves will be delivered. … The endorphins, adrenalin and serotonin we receive from surfing combined with the dopamine from the unexpected reward of waves make surfers not only feel good, but wanting more.
Who is the best girl surfer in the world?
RankName1-Carissa Moore Hawaii22Tatiana Weston-Webb Brazil3-Sally Fitzgibbons Australia42Johanne Defay France
How many surf cities are there?
Whether you’re analyzing it from a marketing, spiritual, political, or historical perspective, the truth is that the United States has four cities calling themselves “Surf City”: Huntington Beach, Santa Cruz, Surf City (North Carolina), and Surf City (New Jersey).