For years, Andy and Bruce stole the show, with Andy dominating on the competitive front and Bruce perpetually blowing minds with his freesurfing talent. Although the last year has been a tumultuous one for Bruce, to say the least, in recent months we have seen him back on his board, bringing his natural talent into some absolutely terrifying waves. His sessions paddling into massive Cloudbreak and towing into some of the heaviest Tahitian barrels ever ridden have brought Bruce back into the spotlight, where we’re all happy to see him. Photo: Glaser

A little over a year since the passing of one of surfing’s most legendary figures, Andy’s friends, family, and fans still clearly remember what made him a champion to them all. He always had an incredible talent in the water, but there are many talented surfers that will never have the same effect that Andy did on our culture. What set him apart was his confidence, drive, and heart-on-his-sleeve approach to life in and out of the water. It’s because of that he not only took down Slater to win three world titles, but that we were all there rooting for him every step along the way. Photo: Ellis

The young South African took a step back in the Poll this year, and it can only be the result of an unfortunate rib injury sustained at Teahupoo that sidelined his World Title hopes for the rest of the year. It couldn’t have come at a more shocking time, immediately following his triumph along the shores of his homeland at Jeffreys Bay. Although his year has been one filled with peaks and troughs, no one has any doubts that Jordy will continue to be among this era’s most progressive surfers. Photo: Miller

On the World Tour, Parko has been a perpetual runner-up for the World Title. As the numbers stand right now, in fact, Joel may finish in second place again for the fourth time in his career. Despite the stress that statistic must have caused him, his surfing has done nothing but look more and more casual with each passing year, as his hunger for a world title continues to grow. In the subjective world of surfing, style is king, and few people would disagree that Joel Parkinson has the most distinctively smooth styles of all time. On that alone, whether Parko ever gets his world title or not, he will still be the favorite of many for his iconic lines. Photo: Ellis

Very few surfers have had the confidence and ability to challenge the 11-time World Champion during his reign on top. As the only Australian surfer to earn world titles against Kelly Slater in the last decade, Fanning has already etched his name into surf history while continuing to bring his fast, powerful surfing to each and every heat. Mick has become an iconic ambassador to the sport, and whether he’s taking down the world’s best surfers or providing colorful commentary from the channel at Teahupoo, the surf world is glad to have this living legend. Photo: Glaser

This young Australian went from grom to World Title contender in the blink of an eye. Sally finished second in the Women’s World Tour this year, taking a narrow loss the prodigious ripper Carissa Moore. Had it been anyone else that she had been up against, we would have likely seen the title in Sally’s hands by season’s end. But truthfully, Sally’s rivalry with Carissa has pushed them both to incredible new heights, and left us all wanting to see more match-ups between the two for years to come. Photo: Ellis

For years Taj has managed to keep up one of the most incredible balancing acts by both competing full-time and frequently leading the charge with some of the most innovative video parts around. Although he has recently poured more and more of his energy into training and becoming a more focused competitor—clearly spending so many years in the Top 5 without a World Title is getting to him—he still managed to put together a solid performance in this year’s Movie of the Year, Year Zero. That balance of competitive prowess and electric freesurfing has made Taj a SURFER Poll mainstay.

Although this year we saw Alana fall off the Women’s World Tour, we saw her move up one spot in the SURFER Poll. Some would sum up her popularity as the byproduct her bottom turn, but there may be a little more to it than that. More than just her surfing, this Kauaian is part of the crew of young ladies that are changing the face of women’s surfing by embracing their femininity, and absolutely ripping while the do it.

After years of colossal hype fueled by staggering video performances, Julian finally cracked the Top 32 and is now inching toward the end of his rookie year. Once in a jersey against the world’s best, Julian didn’t disappoint, and his explosive surfing in this year’s events proved that he wasn’t afraid to take risks and bring his freesurfing flair to man-on-man heats. Between his competitive performances and his obvious passion to be the best surfer he can possibly be, surf fans can’t help but get behind the incredibly talented Australian. Photo: Childs

Steph Gilmore appears to be at a crossroads. After totally dominating women’s surfing for half a decade, the four-time World Champ and two-time SURFER Poll No. 1 finds herself being pulled toward her creative passions just as wunderkind Carissa Moore explodes onto the world stage. Regardless of Steph’s shifting priorities, she still possesses the most well-rounded repertoire of any female surfer on the planet— incredibly talented and stylish, both in the water and out. Photo: Maassen

The young Australian proves that success in a jersey is the quickest way to win the hearts of surf fans around the world. He has made a significant jump in the SURFER Poll this year, likely due to his incredible head-to-head match-ups with the greatest surfer of all time. Sometimes the heats went his way, and sometimes they didn’t, but either way webcast viewers sat on the edge of their seats during the Trestles, Teahupoo, and New York events thanks to stellar performances by Owen against the now 11-time World Champion. Photo: Childs

Though she hails from Hawaiian surf royalty (her dad Michael and uncle Derek are Pipe Masters and World Champs), Coco Ho isn’t coasting on the accomplishments of her relatives. Her jump to No. 2 on SURFER Poll is indicative of her rising stock that comes as a combo of great competitive success and freesurfing prowess. Photo: Maassen

The curious case of Dane Reynolds has been front and center in the minds of surf fans the world over. Does he care about competition? Does he care about being the best? Does he care about being a hero to his fans? Does he care about falconry and philosophy more than surfing? Everyone has become so inundated by his personal choices and opinions, but when it comes down to it, Dane can put it on a rail and take it above the lip like no other surfer on the planet. So whether he cares about it or not, he’s become a hero to most young surfers out there, and his influence on the next generation of surfing can’t be overestimated. Photo: Testemale

It was only a matter of time. Since Carissa was just a pup, she possessed a talent that was so far beyond her years that the older crop of surfers dreaded the day she would arrive on the Women’s World Tour. In just two short years, she has already won her first world title, and no one doubts that there will be more competitive victories to come for the talented Hawaiian. On top of claiming her title this year, she also starred in the high-performance, all-female surf flick Leave a Message, and got a chance to go head-to-head with the boys again via wildcard entry into the first two events of the Triple Crown. There’s never been a more gifted female surfer, and all eyes are on Carissa to see how far she will take the sport. Photo: Kenworthy

Surprise, surprise? Not quite. Kelly has been at the top of the Poll for a long time, and for good reason. His awe-inspiring 11 world titles speak for themselves as far as his competitive prowess is concerned, and however improbable, his age-defying freesurfing is the best it’s ever been—just ask anyone who has seen photos and/or video from the backside clinic he put on in Fiji while the rest of the World Tour trudged through a mediocre event at J-Bay back in July. Since 1993, the only person to top Kelly in the Poll was Andy Irons in 2002 and 2003, but Kelly reclaimed the No. 1 spot in 2004 and has held the position ever since. Unequivocally, Kelly is the greatest surfer to ever set feet to wax, and whether he chooses to pursue another world title next year or not, he has clearly won the hearts and minds of the surf world and beyond. Photo: Glaser

SURFER Poll Winners