Who is the No. 1 Surf Nation?
When you think of surfing, where do you think of? Although most people will say the USA’s Californian coast, Hawaii or even Australia, do these nations produce the most top surfers? Which country is the number 1 surf nation?
With the population of Brazil over 8000% bigger that of French Polynesia, it’s hardly fair to compare the two. While everyone knows Hawaii and Australia often feature high on the leaderboard, we want to know who really is the best pound-for-pound surf nation!
The Top 13 Pound for Pound Surf Nations
13. Spain
Boasting some of the best surf spots in Europe, we were surprised to find out Spain failed to make it into the top 10 surf nations.
12. Japan
With such a huge population, Japan will have to climb the World League Leaderboard if it wants to be known as the number 1 surf nation.
11. Italy
Although Italy performed significantly better than Spain and Japan, the 10 top surfing nations remained out of reach.
10. Fiji
Fiji made it into the top 10 surf nations thanks to its small population size.
9. USA
Home to the 11-time World Surf League Champion, it’s obvious that the USA has a serious surf community.
8. South Africa
A relative newcomer to the scene, South Africa has a strong Men’s and Women’s presence on the works surfing stage.
7. France
Boasting some of the most consistent surf spots in Europe, it isn’t a surprise that France reached number 7 in the top surf nations ranking.
6. Brazil
A true leader in international surfing, Brazil’s huge population prevents the nation from entering into the top 5 of surf nations.
5. New Zealand
Represented by a solo female surfer in the Women’s Championship Tour, New Zealand’s relatively low population helped it secure a top 5 position in the top surf nations.
4. Portugal
Arguably the home of European Surf, Portugal’s presence in the top 5 helps to establish the country as a must-visit location for any keen surfer.
3. Australia
With 4 of the top 10 surfers in both the Men’s and Women’s Championship Tour coming from Australia, the nation maintains its position as one of the top surf nations.
2. French Polynesia
Despite only being represented by a handful of surfers in the World Surf League, French Polynesia is one of the top surfing nations in the world.
1. Hawaii
As many will have guessed, Hawaii is the worlds number 1 surf nation.
So, there you have it—the ultimate breakdown of the top surf nations, pound for pound. While heavyweights like the USA and Australia dominate the scene in numbers and accolades, smaller surf havens like French Polynesia and Fiji pack a punch that belies their size. And of course, Hawaii, the birthplace of surfing, reigns supreme as the world’s number one surf nation.
Whether you’re chasing the perfect wave or just want to soak up the beach vibes, these destinations prove that surfing is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life. If you’re planning a surf trip, don’t forget to book your transfer with Lifts.To for a seamless transfer to the shore. From airport pick-ups to transfers that suit your board bags, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to ride the wave of adventure? Start planning today with Lifts.To!