Kelly Slater was the best-paid pro surfer of 2011. The 11-time world surfing champion from Cocoa Beach, Florida, cashed in $556,250 in the 2011 surf contest season.
Interestingly, Slater is the only US surfer in the Top 10 ranking. Damien Hobgood is the second North American surfer to earn the most out of the 2011 ASP World Tour. Hobgood grabbed $181,650.
Australians and Brazilians dominate the cash machine of pro surfing. Owen Wright was the second best-paid surfer of 2011, with a total of $445,750.
Gabriel Medina, the new wonder kid from Brazil, has earned enough money to buy his first car. He cashed $307,100.
Adriano de Souza, the winner of the 2011 Billabong Rio Pro, also has interesting pocket money to enjoy on the sunny Brazilian sand beaches. de Souza worked and deserved the $297,500 prize money.
Tiago Pires, the Portuguese tiger, is the best European money-making pro surfer. He grabbed $135,900, while Jeremy Flores "only" kept $111,150. Pro surfing life is hard. Now, add the sponsorship deals.
Dane Reynolds has the second weakest cash-in performance of 2011. Due to his injuries, the Ventura surfer stood with $44,600.
The lowest prize money grabber is Bobby Martinez, who refused to continue his ASP World Tour career, with a total of $35,500.
2011 Pro Surfing Career Earnings
1. Slater, Kelly, $556250
2. Wright, Owen, $445750
3. Medina, Gabriel, $307100
4. De Souza, Adriano, $297500
5. Burrow, Taj, $259250
6. Parkinson, Joel, $249750
7. Wilson, Julian, $227200
8. Pupo, Miguel, $211750
9. Muniz, Alejo, $203000
10. Smith, Jordy, $198250