Curious about who dominates the waves in paddleboarding?
From awe-inspiring maneuvers to record-shattering performances, these 15 paddleboarding phenoms are the real MVPs of the seas and rivers.
Ready for an adventure on the water? Let’s dive into the stories of the paddleboarding greats who made history with every stroke.
Best Paddleboarders:
- Kai Lenny
- Laird Hamilton
- Candice Appleby
- Connor Baxter
- Annabel Anderson
- Danny Ching
- Travis Grant
- Jamie Mitchell
- Izzi Gomez
- Zane Schweitzer
- Shakira Westdorp
- Fiona Wylde
- Mo Freitas
- Sonni Hönscheid
- Slater Trout
Table of Contents
#1 Kai Lenny
- 🌍 Nationality: American
- 🎂 Date of Birth: October 8, 1992
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: Paddleboarder / Waterman
- 🏆 Career Highlights: Red Bull Big Wave Award Winner, Multiple-time SUP World Champion, Ultimate Waterman competition winner
Kai Lenny, born and raised on the Hawaiian island of Maui, is one of the most dynamic watermen of his generation. Renowned for his versatility, Lenny excels in various disciplines, including stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kitesurfing, windsurfing, and big-wave surfing. His innovative techniques and fearless approach to big waves have made him a standout athlete in water sports.
Off the water, Lenny uses his prominence to advocate for ocean conservation, often participating in environmental initiatives. His contributions to evolving water sports and his passion for protecting the marine environment underscore his impact both within and beyond paddleboarding. Kai is also known for his engaging presence on social media, where he shares thrilling feats and insights from his aquatic adventures.
#2 Laird Hamilton
- 🌍 Nationality: American
- 🎂 Date of Birth: March 11, 1964
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: Big-wave surfer / Innovator
- 🏆 Career Highlights: Co-inventor of tow-in surfing, featured in numerous surf films, Pioneer of hydrofoil board surfing
Laird Hamilton is regarded as a surfing legend and a pioneer in the stand-up paddleboarding scene. Known for his big-wave surfing feats and innovation in water sports, Hamilton’s impact on paddleboarding is substantial, helping to bring attention and growth to the sport. His development of the “foil board” has also revolutionized surfing and paddling experiences.
As an author and fitness advocate, Hamilton continues to share his philosophy on wellness and pushing human potential. His involvement in various charitable causes has cemented his role as a multifaceted influencer, not only within the realm of sports but also in the realm of health and personal development.
#3 Candice Appleby
- 🌍 Nationality: American
- 🎂 Date of Birth: Born in 1979
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: SUP Athlete / Competitor
- 🏆 Career Highlights: Multi-time Battle of the Paddle winner, ISA World Standup Paddle and Paddleboard Champion
Candice Appleby is a force to be reckoned with in the realm of competitive stand-up paddleboarding. Her dominance in the sport includes numerous prestigious victories and has helped to cement her status as one of SUP’s top female athletes. Appleby’s technical skills and racing strategy are highly regarded in the paddleboarding community.
Her contributions also extend to coaching and mentoring up-and-coming paddlers, reflecting her commitment to nurturing the next generation. Passionate about giving back, Appleby works with non-profits to support ocean and environmental education programs. Her role as a champion and advocate exemplifies her holistic approach to her sport and her community.
#4 Connor Baxter
- 🌍 Nationality: American
- 🎂 Date of Birth: September 15, 1994
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: SUP Athlete / Competitor
- 🏆 Career Highlights: SUP World Champion, Fastest Paddler on Earth, Numerous SUP race titles
Connor Baxter is highly regarded for his explosive power and speed in the water, which has led to him holding titles such as the “Fastest Paddler on Earth.” His achievements in stand-up paddleboard racing are vast, securing him a prominent place in the history of the sport.
Despite facing challenges such as competitive rivalries and the constant pressure to maintain top performance, Baxter has continued to excel. His commitment to excellence in paddleboarding has inspired many young athletes, and his sportsmanship exemplifies the camaraderie that is often celebrated within the SUP community.
#5 Annabel Anderson
- 🌍 Nationality: New Zealander
- 🎂 Date of Birth: Born in 1980
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: SUP Athlete / Competitor
- 🏆 Career Highlights: SUP World Champion, Winner of Carolina Cup and Battle of the Paddle
Annabel Anderson has been influential in the women’s paddleboarding arena with her consistent victories against top competition. Her impressive track record includes multiple world championship titles and significant race wins. Anderson’s strength, endurance, and strategic prowess have earned her a reputation as one of the best in the sport.
Beyond racing, Anderson is known for her advocacy for gender equality in sports, pushing for better recognition and support for female athletes. Her inspirational journey and efforts to elevate women in stand-up paddleboarding highlight her broader impact on the sport and its community.
#6 Danny Ching
- 🌍 Nationality: American
- 🎂 Date of Birth: May 14, 1983
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: SUP Athlete / Outrigger Canoeist
- 🏆 Career Highlights: Battle of the Paddle Champion, SUP Race Champion, Paddling Innovator
Danny Ching’s expertise spans across both stand-up paddleboarding and outrigger canoeing, where his proficiency has earned him numerous accolades. Ching’s technical nous and his capacity to incorporate outrigger paddling techniques into SUP racing have made him an outstanding competitor and a respected figure within paddle sports.
Ching’s background in outrigger racing has also contributed to his innovative approach to paddleboard design and competition. In addition to his athletic endeavors, Danny is dedicated to teaching and developing paddling sports, making his mark both as an athlete and an educator within the paddling community.
#7 Travis Grant
- 🌍 Nationality: Australian
- 🎂 Date of Birth: October 5, 1983
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: SUP Athlete / Paddler
- 🏆 Career Highlights: Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Champion, SUP World Series Champion
Travis Grant stands out as a champion in one of the most grueling events in paddle sports, the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championships. His physical and mental endurance has proven essential in long-distance and challenging ocean races. Grant’s superiority in such competitions has solidified his status as a top international paddler.
Grant’s contributions to paddleboarding extend beyond his racing accolades. He’s also influential in the development of paddling equipment and training techniques. His engaging presence on social media and his participation in paddleboard clinics underscore his commitment to growing and sharing his passion for the sport.
#8 Jamie Mitchell
- 🌍 Nationality: Australian
- 🎂 Date of Birth: January 18, 1977
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: Big-wave surfer / SUP Athlete
- 🏆 Career Highlights: 10-time Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard Champion, Big Wave Award winner
Jamie Mitchell’s name is synonymous with endurance paddleboarding, evidenced by his remarkable string of victories in the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard Race. His transition into big-wave surfing has also garnered him accolades and showcases his versatility as a waterman. Mitchell’s strength, skill, and ocean awareness place him amongst the elites in his discipline.
Apart from his athletic achievements, Mitchell is an advocate for ocean safety and marine conservation. His involvement in various environmental initiatives and his promotion of water safety programs demonstrate his desire to safeguard and respect the ocean environment he cherishes. Mitchell’s role as an athlete and environmental steward illustrates the multifaceted nature of his impact on the water sports world and beyond.
#9 Izzi Gomez
- 🌍 Nationality: American
- 🎂 Date of Birth: December 9, 1999
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: Stand Up Paddleboarder (SUP)
- 🏆 Career Highlights: Multiple-time SUP Surf World Champion, ISA World Champion
Izzi Gomez is recognized for her competitive prowess in SUP surfing, having secured numerous world championship titles at a young age. Her dynamic surfing style and fearlessness in the water set her apart. Overcoming the challenges of competing against more experienced athletes, Izzi’s dedication to the sport shines through her performances.
Off the water, Gomez’s influence extends to aspiring young paddleboarders, symbolizing the potential of youth in the sport. While details of her personal life are reserved, her accomplishments in paddleboarding remain a testament to her commitment and skill.
#10 Zane Schweitzer
- 🌍 Nationality: American
- 🎂 Date of Birth: Born in 1999
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: Stand Up Paddleboarder (SUP) and Windsurfer
- 🏆 Career Highlights: Master of the Ocean, 2x Ultimate Waterman
Schweitzer, aka ‘InZane,’ is a multifaceted waterman known for his versatility and enthusiasm in both windsurfing and paddleboarding competitions. His innovative approach and natural agility have earned him respect in the water sports community. Facing the ever-changing ocean conditions, Zane embraces the elements with a blend of skill and positivity.
Apart from his athletic achievements, Schweitzer is also a motivational speaker and author, advocating for environmental stewardship. Through community outreach and his personal “InZane” brand, he promotes an eco-friendly lifestyle, inspiring both peers and fans.
#11 Shakira Westdorp
- 🌍 Nationality: Australian
- 🎂 Date of Birth: Born in 1985
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: Stand Up Paddleboarder (SUP)
- 🏆 Career Highlights: Multiple-time SUP Surfing World Champion, Australian National SUP Champion
Shakira Westdorp, hailed for her dominance in SUP surfing, has been a formidable figure in international competitions, clinching several world titles. Westdorp’s aggressive and precise surfing technique reflects her deep connection with the ocean. Despite few publicized challenges, her consistent top-tier performances speak volumes about her resilience.
Her contribution to the sport’s growth in Australia, mentoring up-and-coming talents, has elevated both her status and the profile of SUP within her home country. Though less is known about her pursuits outside of paddleboarding, Westdorp’s competitive streak continues to inspire athletes globally.
#12 Fiona Wylde
- 🌍 Nationality: American
- 🎂 Date of Birth: Born in 1998
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: Stand Up Paddleboarder (SUP)
- 🏆 Career Highlights: Stand Up Paddleboarding World Champion, Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge Winner
Fiona Wylde is known in the paddling community for her exceptional SUP racing and surfing abilities, exemplified by her world championship achievements. Her dynamic paddle technique and steadfast endurance make her a standout competitor. Notably, Fiona has been open about living with Type 1 diabetes and has become an inspirational figure by competing at an elite level while managing her condition.
Wylde leverages her platform to raise awareness and support diabetes research, showing that the condition does not define one’s capabilities. Her spirited approach to both life and sport continues to empower those around her.
#13 Mo Freitas
- 🌍 Nationality: American
- 🎂 Date of Birth: Born in 1997
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: Stand Up Paddleboarder (SUP)
- 🏆 Career Highlights: ISA World Champion, Stand Up World Tour Race Winner
Mo Freitas has earned acclaim in the stand-up paddleboarding arena with his exceptional performance in both SUP surfing and racing disciplines. His innovative maneuvers and comprehensive ocean knowledge are reflected in his competitive victories. The challenges Freitas has faced only underscore his dedication to the sport and his drive for continuous improvement.
Beyond competition, Freitas’s calm and focused demeanor has inspired a following within the SUP community. Although his personal life largely remains outside public discourse, Freitas’s influence within paddleboarding is marked by his competitive achievements and commitment to excellence in the sport.
#14 Sonni Hönscheid
- 🌍 Nationality: German
- 🎂 Date of Birth: May 27, 1981
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: Stand Up Paddleboarder (SUP)
- 🏆 Career Highlights: 3x Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard World Champion, Euro Tour Winner
Sonni Hönscheid is famed not only for her endurance in long-distance SUP races but also for her artistic expression as a professional painter. Her ability to conquer the treacherous Molokai to Oahu channel repeatedly establishes her as a force in the sport. Facing the rigors of open ocean paddling, Hönscheid’s strength and tenacity reflect her experience as an athlete.
Aside from paddleboarding, her passion for art parallels the creativity she displays in competition. Hönscheid merges her love for the water with her paintings, capturing the essence of her maritime surroundings and sharing it with broader audiences.
#15 Slater Trout
- 🌍 Nationality: American
- 🎂 Date of Birth: December 26, 1994
- 🏄♀️ Position/Role: Stand Up Paddleboarder (SUP)
- 🏆 Career Highlights: SUP Magazine’s #1 Paddler to Watch, Multiple Race Wins
Slater Trout, once dubbed as SUP Magazine’s #1 Paddler to Watch, has been on the water since his early teens, shaping him into a formidable paddler with a powerful stroke and strategic racing mindset. Despite his youth, Trout has carved out a name for himself with multiple stand-up paddleboard race victories.
Off the water, Trout’s charisma and dedication have positioned him as an ambassador for the sport and a role model for younger athletes. A proponent of a healthy and active lifestyle, he inspires through his social media presence, bringing a vibrant energy to the stand-up paddleboarding community.
FAQ
Who is the best Paddleboarding player of all time?
Kai Lenny is the best Paddleboarding player of all time. Here’s a link to our article on why we think Kai Lenny is the best Paddleboarding player of all time. His innovative techniques and numerous titles have solidified his legendary status in the sport.
Who are the top 10 greatest Paddleboarding players of all time?
Kai Lenny, Laird Hamilton, Candice Appleby, Connor Baxter, Annabel Anderson, Danny Ching, Travis Grant, Jamie Mitchell, Izzi Gomez, and Zane Schweitzer are the top 10 greatest Paddleboarding players of all time. These athletes have defined the sport with their competitive achievements and have contributed to its global growth.
Who is the most famous female Paddleboarding player?
Candice Appleby is the most famous female Paddleboarding player. A decorated champion and role model, she has influenced the sport with her competitive spirit and advocacy for female athletes.
