How to Become a Professional Surfer

Surfing was revived in 1920 when a Hawaiian swimmer, Duke Kahanamoku, formed the first surfing club in Waikiki. Professional surfing competition was extremely popular in the 1960s. The main organizing body for professional surfing today is the Association of Surf Professionals (ASP), which also has five regional organizations. A few pro surfers can earn about $200,000 or more per year from competing but most top professional surfers earn about $20,000 per year. Top pros can earn in excess of $750,000 over their lifetimes from competition. More money can be made from product endorsements and offering lessons.

Things You'll Need

• Surfing clothes
• Surfboard
• ASP membership and fees
• Good waves

Instructions

Become a professional surfer

1. Buying surfing clothes and at least one surfboard will get you started, although you probably won’t have much success without the major ingredient in the mix: good ocean waves. Obviously, it helps to be near the ocean. You’ll also need to stay in good physical shape.

2. Offering lessons is one of the side incomes for surfing teaching professionals, who often offer lessons to new surfers. It can be a major expense but it is definitely worth the investment if you plan on competing professionally. It takes a lot of practice to develop skills as a surfer and there are no shortcuts. You can locate experienced surfers who offer lessons by visiting surf shops like 2 Mile Surf Shop in Bolinas, California. Nick Kreiger is the program director at that shop.

3. Competing in surfing events at the semi-professional level is your next step. Be prepared to travel to other destinations to find events. You’ll gain valuable experience even if you only compete in a few events while still practicing on your own.

4. Joining the ASP is relatively simple for qualified surfers. You’ll need to apply and pay membership fees. The ASP World Tour, however, is for the small group of surfing professionals that dominate the sport. Female surfers are able to compete as well.

5. Travel the world to compete in ASP events and the ASP World Tour.

6. Endorsing surfing products and offering surfing lessons can supplement your income once you’ve “made it.”

Tips & Warnings

• Whether you are a beginner or expert, you must always remember that surfing can be dangerous. Surf safely.

Resources

• This is the official ASP website.
• This is the site for information about Bolinas surf lessons.
• Surflink is a good place to find information regarding professional surfing.