In this post, we’ve compiled a list of 40 surf quotes that will motivate you to get in the water. From surf legends like Gerry Lopez, Bethany Hamilton, and Mark Foo, these surf quotes can make you dream even more about surfing. Even if you’re just learning to walk on water for the first time or committing more by buying that first surfboard, these surf quotes will surely keep you motivated. 

Aside from getting the ultimate gear for surfing, and getting in shape, you also have to be mentally prepared to start your surf journey. Hence, here’s 40 best surf quotes to do just that. Enjoy the reading!

The Call of the Waves: 40 Inspirational Surf Quotes

Gerry Lopez, aka Mr. Pipeline, is an American surfer, shaper, journalist, and film actor. He currently lives in Oregon and has surf and yoga clinics all over the world.

Lisa Anderson (March 8, 1969, in Ormond Beach, Florida) is a four-time world surfing champion from the United States. She won four successive world titles from 1994 to 1997. She was named ASP’s Rookie of the Year in 1987, won the US amateur surfing title in 1987 and turned professional the following year.

Bethany Meilani Hamilton-Dirks is an American professional surfer who survived a 2003 shark attack in which her left arm was bitten off but who ultimately returned to professional surfing. She still competes in the women’s world tour , is a motivational speaker and has been stepping into big wave surfing.

Elizabeth Salamanca-Brosig is American born, Filipino lover of Jesus. She is also an activist, author, and international speaker. Together with the help of her family, she founded Cloud9Surfing Missions which inspires individuals, families and communities with experiences that lead people to victory. She also founded the Surfing His Word Tour and the International Ukulele Ensemble. Later, the Salamanca-Brosig Family make their home in sunny Florida with their children, Kylie and Kai.

Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto, better known by his pen name and, later, legal name Pablo Neruda, was a Nobel Prize winning Chilean poet-diplomat and politician.

Mark Sheldon Foo was a professional surfer. Unfortunately, Foo drowned while surfing at Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, California, in 1994.

Mavericks is considered one of the biggest and most dangerous waves in the world.

Frosty Hesson started surfing in California in 1963. After gaining experience in the cold waters of Santa Cruz, he joined a group of wave explorers in the Mavericks challenge. Moreover, in the 1980’s, Richard “Frosty” Hesson has never quit surfing, in its many angles.

The Mavericks master kept catching waves and started a successful career in surf training and coaching.

If you haven’t watched it yet, check out Chasing Mavericks, featuring Gerard Buttler, about the life of Frosty and surfing Mavericks. It’s a fantastic movie to watch to motivate you before crushing your first ever surf lesson!

Janne Robinson is a poet, columnist, bushwalker and animal activist currently residing in Southern California.

Stephanie Louise  Gilmore (aka Happy Gilmore) is an Australian professional surfer and seven-time world champion on the Women’s ASP World Tour. She was born in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia on 29 January 1988 and currently resides in Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia.

Robert Kelly Slater is an American professional surfer, author, actor, model, environmental activist, businessman, and innovator, best known for his unprecedented 11 world surfing championships. He is widely regarded as the greatest professional surfer (some say athlete) of all time.

Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku (1890-1968) was a Native Hawaiian competition swimmer who popularized the ancient Hawaiian sport of surfing. He was born towards the end of the Kingdom of Hawaii, just before the overthrow. Eventually, he lived into statehood as a United States citizen.

Alana Rene Blanchard is an American professional surfer and model. Blanchard has surfed on the ASP World Tour and designs and models Rip Curl swimwear, particularly a line of wetsuits specifically for surfing. She is a long time best friend and supporter of Bethany Hamilton and is currently has a son with pro surfer Jack Freestone.

This surf quote from Buzzy Trent reflects his being pioneer of big wave surfing. Born in San Diego and raised in Santa Monica, he body surfed as a child and started surfing at age 12. Later, he moved to Hawaii in 1952 to surf and pioneered big wave surfing along with George Downing and Greg Noll.

Born in South Africa and raised on the right hand points of the Eastern Cape, Rosy Hodge still has fond memories of her motherland. She grew up in the town of East London, on the south-eastern Cape (about 4 hours up the coast from J-Bay). Her approach to surfing and life stuck with her throughout her career. With some hard work, she broke into the World Championship Tour and enjoyed what she’d describe as some success as reflected by the surf quote. Ready to plunge into the surfing lifestyle? Explore our guide to selecting your first beginner longboard to get started!

Antony Garrett Lisi, known as Garrett Lisi, is an American theoretical physicist and adventure sports enthusiast. Lisi works as an independent researcher without an academic position. A strong proponent of life balance, his case was between scientific research and enjoyment of the outdoors.

John has been surfing since the age of 10 and started competing on the Irish Surf Team at the age of 13 and holds national junior and senior titles. In October 2007 John was one of a group of surfers who pioneered the “Aileens Wave” under the Cliffs of Moher.

Robert Harold “Nat” Young is an Australian surfer and author. Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Young grew up in the small coastal suburb of Collaroy. In 1964, he was runner-up in the Australian junior championship at Manly, and two years later was named world surfing champion in 1966.

Lanky quick-witted surf journalist from San Diego, California; Surfer magazine editor from 1990 to 1998, and a Contributing Editor since 2004. Hawk was born (1955) in Pensacola, Florida, raised in San Diego, and began surfing at age 14.

Laird John Hamilton is an American big-wave surfer, co-inventor of tow-in surfing, and an occasional fashion and action-sports model. He is married to Gabrielle Reece, a professional volleyball player, television personality, and model.

Franklin Patrick Herbert Jr. was an American science fiction author best known for the 1965 novel Dune and its five sequels. Though he became famous for his novels, he also wrote short stories and worked as a newspaper journalist, photographer, book reviewer, ecological consultant, and lecturer.

Here you go! A selection of our 40 of our favorite surf quotes that remind us why we do what we do and can’t think of doing anything else. We hope you liked them and remember to share them with friends. Maybe you have some famous surf quotes that you know and would like to share with us too?

If you’re still hungry for surf wisdom, you’ll also find even more inspiration to fuel your love for surfing by watching our top surf videos. You can also explore our collection of over 600 surf quotes on our surf quote Pinterest board.

We hope that this article on surf quotes made you dream about your next surf session. Would you like to book your trip soon? Take a look at our guide to the best times to surf in Central America!

See you in the water!