There is something special about surfing. The combination of ocean energy, athletic ability, confidence, and a love for the beach creates a lifestyle unlike any other. Female surfers around the world have helped make the sport more exciting while inspiring a new generation to get on a board.
From professional competitors and former World Tour athletes to models and passionate representatives of surf culture, these women have made their mark both in and out of the water. Some are known for major competition results, while others have built careers around fashion, media, and the modern surfing lifestyle.
Here are 15 notable female surfers and surf personalities who have captured attention through their talent, determination, style, and connection with the ocean.
15. Chloe Chapman
Chloe Chapman represents the relaxed, creative side of Australian beach culture. Raised around Sydney's Northern Beaches, she developed a strong connection with the ocean and the lifestyle surrounding it.
Alongside her interest in surfing, Chloe has worked in fashion, marketing, media, and advertising and has been involved with swimwear. Her combination of beach culture and fashion has helped establish her as a recognizable name within Australia's coastal lifestyle scene.
14. Bruna Schmitz
Brazilian surfer and model Bruna Schmitz built an impressive career through competitive surfing. She grew up surfing in Matinhos, Brazil, and began competing internationally at a remarkably young age.
Bruna reached the ASP World Tour after establishing herself as one of Brazil's promising young surfers. Her powerful surfing style and experience in international competition made her a standout figure in the sport, while her modeling career introduced her to an even wider audience.
13. Malia Manuel
Malia Manuel developed her passion for surfing at an incredibly young age. Growing up in Hawaii, she began competing as a child and quickly demonstrated the natural talent and determination required to reach the highest levels of the sport.
Beyond surfing, Malia has explored art, running, yoga, and other outdoor activities. She has also decorated surfboards with Hawaiian and Polynesian-inspired designs, reflecting her strong connection to island culture and creativity.
12. Alana Blanchard
Alana Blanchard became one of the most recognizable names in women's surfing. The Hawaiian athlete competed successfully in professional events and also developed a career in modeling and surf-related media.
Her competitive achievements include strong performances in events such as the Women's Pipeline Championships and other major Hawaiian and international contests. Alana also became widely known for her friendship with fellow Hawaiian surfer Bethany Hamilton and for helping bring greater attention to women's surfing.
11. Quincy Davis
Quincy Davis grew up in Montauk, New York, where surfing became part of her family life from an early age. Her family's connection to Puerto Rico also gave her the opportunity to spend winters around some excellent waves.
Over the years, Quincy became known for combining surfing with interests in fashion and music. Her laid-back personality and distinctive style have made her a popular figure within modern surf culture.
10. Sally Fitzgibbons
Sally Fitzgibbons is one of Australia's best-known professional surfers. Her career has included numerous victories and major appearances on the international competition circuit.
Her athletic background extends beyond surfing. Before reaching the highest levels of professional surfing, Sally competed successfully in middle-distance running and also participated in sports such as soccer and touch football. Her fitness, consistency, and competitive mindset have been important parts of her success.
9. Anastasia Ashley
Anastasia Ashley has built a career that combines competitive surfing, modeling, media appearances, and social media. She began surfing at a young age and eventually competed professionally while developing a large following outside the sport.
Her energetic personality and willingness to embrace modern media have helped her become one of the more recognizable personalities associated with surfing. She has also used social platforms to share her travels, training, and life around the ocean.
8. Coco Ho
Coco Ho comes from one of Hawaii's most respected surfing families. Her father, Michael Ho, was a professional surfer, while her uncle Derek Ho became a world champion. Her brother Mason Ho also followed the family tradition as a professional surfer.
Coco started surfing as a child and went on to compete at the highest level. Her technical ability, competitive experience, and Hawaiian surfing heritage have made her one of the sport's most recognizable athletes.
7. Alejandra Guilmant
Alejandra Guilmant is primarily known as a Mexican model and actress, but her connection with surf culture helped introduce her to audiences interested in the sport and beach lifestyle.
Her appearances in surf-related media and collaborations with established surf personalities helped make her a recognizable face within the broader world of fashion and surfing.
Ellie Jean Coffey is an Australian surfer who became particularly well known through a combination of surfing, modeling, and social media. Her online presence helped her build a personal brand around the Australian surf lifestyle.
She comes from a family of surfers, with her sisters also becoming involved in surfing and social media. Ellie has spoken about how digital platforms have become an important part of modern athlete branding and sponsorship.
5. Erica Hosseini
Erica Hosseini grew up in Newport Beach, California, surrounded by a wide variety of sports. Her athletic background included soccer, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, skiing, water skiing, and mountain biking before surfing became a major part of her life.
She began surfing regularly after receiving her own surfboard at age 11. Her athletic versatility and competitive approach helped her develop a career in both professional surfing and modeling.
Bree Kleintop successfully balanced two demanding careers: surfing and modeling. Her experience in the water provided a natural foundation for her work in fashion and lifestyle campaigns.
Despite her modeling career, Bree has continued to identify strongly with surfing and the beach lifestyle. Her story shows how athletes can move between professional sport, fashion, and commercial media while maintaining their connection to the ocean.
Nikki van Dijk is an Australian professional surfer who competed at a high level on the international circuit. Her career has included years of competition against some of the strongest surfers in women's surfing.
Like many elite athletes, Nikki's journey has included both successes and setbacks. Her ability to learn from difficult results and continue pushing forward has been an important part of her competitive career.
2. Laura Enever
Laura Enever is an Australian surfer who has competed among the world's best and developed a reputation for her fearless approach to surfing.
Her career also highlights an important reality of professional sport: sponsorship and marketing can play a major role in an athlete's career. Laura has spoken openly about the relationship between athletic achievement, marketability, and opportunities within professional surfing.
Sage Erickson takes the top spot on this list thanks to her combination of competitive experience, athletic ability, and strong presence within the surfing world.
The California-born surfer developed her skills through years of competition and became a familiar name on the professional circuit. Her determination and commitment to the sport helped her compete against some of the world's best female surfers.
Sage also represents the lifestyle side of surfing, where athletic performance, travel, fitness, and a close relationship with the ocean all come together. Her career is a reminder that professional surfing requires far more than simply looking comfortable on a board—it demands discipline, resilience, and countless hours in the water.
Final Thoughts
These 15 women represent different sides of modern surfing. Some built their reputations through professional competition, while others combined surfing with modeling, fashion, media, and social platforms.
What they have in common is a connection to the ocean and a passion for an incredibly demanding sport. From Hawaii and Australia to Brazil, California, and beyond, female surfers continue to bring new energy and personality to the world of surfing.
Which surfer from this list is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!