Reno Abellira entered surfing’s collective consciousness at the 1968 World Contest in Puerto Rico. He didn’t win or even get second. But his path to sixth place revealed some of the fastest surfing ever seen at the time, drawing unconventional lines in a conventional time. While the traditional approach of Fred Hemmings took the world title that day, Abellira’s unique style and equipment put the world on notice that his surfing was poised to leap into uncharted territory. As an innovative performer and surfboard craftsman, the small framed Hawaiian local made waves throughout the 70’s but will forever be remembered for his Smirnoff Pro/Am win. Besting an international field of competitors in what has been called one of the greatest days in surf contest history and inspiring the next generation of shapers and wave riders, Reno … Read More »

Mick Fanning has been surfing since the age of 5 and is now a pro surfer from Australia. Mick is well-known for his super aggressive style and ability to whip his board. Pro surfer Mick Fanning competes at the WCT championship surfing level. Mick Fanning’s nickname is Micktor. Mick also goes by the nicknames Eugene, and White Lightning. This is the Surfing.com Mick Fanning biography.

Height: 177cm, 5ft 10in Weight: 73kg, 161lb
Birthday: June 13, 1981
Birthplace: Penrith, New South Wales Australia
Current Home: Tweed Heads, NSW Australia
Surfing Coach: Phil McNamara
Life Facts: Mick was born in Sidney suburbs of Penrith, he first put his feet on a surfboard at the age of 5, then surf occasionally. He really get into it when his family moved to Tweed head (border between NSW and QLD state) by the age of … Read More »

A large, deceptively casual power surfer, Simon Anderson achieved high renown in both competition and sheer performance through the early days of pro surfing. Like many pros of the day, he also learned the craft of board shaping and design, thinking it might be useful as a career backup. When these talents came together through the last part of 1980, they resulted in the three-fin Thruster and made Anderson one person who can truthfully be said to have affected every surfer on the planet.

Born in Sydney, Simon grew up second eldest of a big family of boys. Literally big — none of the Anderson boys (Mark, Simon, Grant and Michael) stood under 6 feet. The family lived in a house overlooking Collaroy Beach on Sydney’s north side, where Nat Young had learned to ride. A … Read More »

Jordy Smith 22 girls for Billabong Pipeline event. Jordy showed up on the North Shore this winter with a 22-board quiver of provocative sleds. Some are jealous of the art, others (namely his ex-girlfriends) think it’s gross, Jordy thinks it’s funny. “Kelly had those boards with the girls on them back in the day,” says Jordy. “I thought it was classic, and that’s kind of what gave me this idea.” Jordy Smith’s Quiver for Pipeline >

The 22-year-old prodigy born and raised in the rough and tumble land of Durban, South Africa is set to embark on his third year on the ASP Dream Tour. The powerful regular-footer’s spotless season in 2007 saw him claim both the 2006 ASP World Junior Championships as well as the ASP WQS season, qualifying for the coveted ASP … Read More »