In 2024, over 4.2 million people paddled out at least once, marking a 5.9% year-over-year increase and an 8% average annual growth over the past five years.

From 2019 to 2020, the surfing population grew an astounding 28 percent.

Female participation continues to rise, particularly among Gen Z and Millennial women.

African Americans now make up 13.1% of all U.S. surfers.

Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander surfers now have the highest participation rates (2.1%), signaling a more multicultural future for the sport.

Youth & Young Adults Dominate: The 18–24 age group holds the highest participation rate at 2.9%, followed closely by 13–17-year-olds and those 25–34.

Of the 4.2 million surfers, 65 percent are male, 35 percent female.

Nearly 40% of surfers come from households earning $100K+, suggesting strong crossover with travel, tourism, and premium consumer categories.

Just over 56 percent of the total surfing population has some college education, while 41 percent are college graduates and almost 15 percent have post graduate studies.