Should we care about pro surfers?

They surf better than we ever will. They win titles. They get brand deals. But… should we actually care about pro surfers?

This week, I spiral after reading a Reddit thread about pro surfers’ political affiliations (don’t worry, this episode isn’t about politics). Instead, I’m wondering: beyond the legends who shaped surfing—Duke, Tom Blake, the Gidgets, Laird—do the current pros really matter to the rest of us?

We talk about Steph Gilmore, Carissa Moore, Kelly Slater (begrudgingly), John John, and a bunch of top-5 names I only just learned: Italo, Yago, Caity, Molly, and more.

Is it bad I didn’t know who they were? Am I a terrible surfer for not following the WSL? Or are we just fine vibing in the whitewash with no idea who pulled off the latest aerial at wherever they do these things?