Surfing went from being an underground sport to an Olympic one in a matter of years. Today, surfing is a multi-billion dollar industry that attracts new blood every year. With so much competition and with the stakes so high, it's not easy to reach the top, let alone remain there. Some surfers, however, managed to do just that.
In this gallery, we look back at the history of surfing and bring you some of the greatest in the sport. Some of these athletes excelled competitively, while others made other contributions to the surfing world. Regardless, these athletes all deserve a spot on the list of the greatest. Click through to meet them.