Considering the culture and history of surfing in San Diego, it’s really no surprise the amount of pro surfers from San Diego. Including both past and future generations, San Diego has continued to pass it’s rich surfing history from one pro surfer to the next.
Pro Surfers from San Diego Past & Present
Check out some of the famous pro surfers from San Diego beginning with the most recognizable names.
Rob Machado – Perhaps the most infamous pro surfer from San Diego. Interesting fact, he is actually Australian born but he was raised in San Diego going to San Dieguito High School. Growing up in Cardiff by the Sea, he had no shortage of good waves or surf culture to inspire him. Machado burst on to the Pro scene in 1993. While he never won a WSL event, he had some historical battles with Kelly Slater. Most notably, finishing runner up to him in 1995. However, he did win Pipeline Masters and the US Open of Surfing once in his storied career. He retired from surfing in 2019. Throughout Machado’s career, he has been recognized as a free surfer. Today, he owns his own surf brand, Rob Machado Surf Boards.
Taylor Knox – From the age of 13, Taylor Knox was raised in Carlsbad, California. By 19, he was competing in the World Amateur Championships. By 22, he was on the Pro World Tour competing against the likes of Kelly Slater. Taylor Knox is also well regarded on the Big Wave World Tour. It is not uncommon to find Knox chasing mega San Diego swells at Black’s Beach or La Jolla Cove. Knox retired from the pro tour in 2013 after being elected in the Surfer Hall of Fame in 2011.
Joel Tudor – A pro surfer, longboarder, and jiu-jitsu artist, Joel Tudor is a man of many talents. Born and raised in San Diego, he won his first pro surfing event at the age of 15. This is the youngest ever to do so! Later in his surfing career, Tudor began a transition to longboarding. As a professional longboarding surfer he is a 2 time Longboard World Champion and 8 time Champion of the US Open of Longboarding.
Rusty Preisendorfer – Rusty is most recognized for beginning the San Diego surfboard brand, Rusty Surfboards. While Rusty never made it to the pro surf circuit, he is a great surfer that has given so much back to the sport.
Skip Frye – A true local, Frye went to Mission Bay Highschool. Like Rusty, Skip is a surfboard shaper. However, unlike Rusty he did make the pro surfer circuit, winning national titles and representing the United States.
Mike Hyson – Mike is the co star of the classic surfing film, The Endless Summer. While Mike is actually from Northern California, he spent many years surfing in San Diego and helped found one of San Diego’s first surf clubs, the Windansea Surf Club.
Debbie Beacham – Born in La Jolla, Debbie has been a staple of the surfing industry. Debbie was pivotal in getting Women’s Professional Surfing back on it’s feet, worked for Surfer magazine and served as President of the Women’s Pro Surfing Association for 4 years. A World Champion herself on the Women’s Tour in 1982!
Taylor Steele – Not one of our pro surfers from San Diego but Taylor Steele is an exceptional filmmaker in the surfing industry that calls San Diego home. Some of his best films include Loose Change and Drifter, both featuring Rob Machado. Steele is part of Surfer Magazine’s ’25 Most Influential People.’ Quite an accomplishment for a surfer from San Diego, pro or not!
Josh Kerr – Kerr is not a pro surfer from San Diego. He is a pro surfer from Australia but he currently resides in Carlsbad. Kerr is in retirement now. For many years, Kerr was on top of his game on the pro world tour.
A Brief Surf History of San Diego
Surfing in San Diego has a rich heritage that dates back to the early 1900s when legendary surfers like Duke Kahanamoku first introduced the sport to the region. The perfect waves and sunny weather of San Diego quickly attracted surfers from all over, contributing to the sport’s popularity. Surfers like Skip Frye and Rob Machado further fueled the growth of surfing in San Diego, becoming icons in the surfing world.
The evolution of surfing in San Diego reflects the deep connection between the surf community and the ocean. Surfers in San Diego not only ride the waves but also actively participate in beach clean-ups and environmental conservation efforts, showcasing their commitment to preserving the natural beauty that makes San Diego a surfing paradise.
Today, San Diego continues to produce world-class surfers who compete on the global stage, showcasing the talent and dedication that define the surfing culture of this vibrant coastal city. The legacy of these pro surfers from San Diego serves as an inspiration for aspiring surfers of all ages, embodying the spirit of passion and perseverance that defines the surfing community.
Read about the legendary waves you share with these pro surfers from San Diego in this classic coffee table book.
A journey of pictures to SoCal's best surf spots! Perfect for your coffee table!
