The best surfers in the world have already checked their best speed records in the 2011 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast in Australia. The GPS tracking device has delivered data for the first waves of the season.
In Snapper Rocks, Mick Fanning is currently the fastest surfer. The Australian champion recorded a maximum speed of 39,1 km/h.
In second place, Joel Parkinson stands with 34,6 km/h. Bede Durbidge is third (33,6 km/h), and 10-time world champion Kelly Slater places in fourth (32 km/h).
Experts say the benchmark can be set in the 45 km/h mark in the near future.
Also, it's interesting to check the overall distance, too. Parkinson leads the way with 3,996 meters of waves already ridden.
So, it seems like speed is going to drive surfing in the next few years.
That's why surfboard manufacturers invest in technologies embedded in the boards so that coaches and surfers can analyze performance and correct body postures.
For example, it's been proved that the fastest moment in a wave is generally when surfers turn by cutting back quickly.
This proves that speed in surfing does not necessarily mean a straight line.