List of Surfers Who Use Cannabis

• The connection runs deep – Since Hawaii’s pakalolo cultivation in the 1840s, cannabis and surfing have shared a rebellious, ocean-connected ethos that shaped modern surf culture
• WSL policies are evolving – While marijuana remains banned in competition, vocal critics like Joel Tudor and even sober champions like Kelly Slater call the prohibition “silly” and outdated
• Recovery drives modern use – Today’s surfers like Quintal use cannabis for post-surf recovery and pre-surf enhancement, favoring products ranging from edibles to topicals
• Historical documentation exists – Legends like Nat Young were part of a generation that openly embraced cannabis, incorporating it into their free-surfing lifestyle and creative process during the 1960s-70s shortboard revolution, while generally avoiding use before competitions
• Geographic hotspots matter – From Hawaii’s North Shore to Australia’s Byron Bay, specific surf regions became cannabis cultivation and culture centers
• Sponsorships mark acceptance – The 2016 Weedmaps North Shore house sponsorship of multiple surfers signaled industry normalization, paving the way for today’s partnerships

Best Known For: 2019 WSL World Longboard Champion, 10x Vans Duct Tape Invitational Winner
Cannabis Connection: First surfer officially sponsored by cannabis brand (Sunburn Cannabis) in 2023
Key Quote: “Consumption doesn’t define a person’s work ethic or ambition. With this partnership, we hope to normalize cannabis use as a natural extension of the surfing lifestyle…that embraces authenticity, freedom and the healing powers of nature.”

Quintal represents the new frontier of cannabis-surf integration. Holding a medicinal marijuana license prescribed by his doctor, he uses 10mg live rosin edibles for post-surf recovery and sativa/sativa-leaning hybrids before entering the water to enhance his ocean connection. His advocacy stems from personal experience—his father’s 2011 cancer recovery involved cannabis, inspiring Quintal’s public stance. As the first surfer with an official cannabis brand sponsorship, Quintal broke the sponsorship barrier that kept cannabis separate from professional surfing. His approach through his board company Black Rose MFG demonstrates how modern surfers integrate cannabis into their professional identity while maintaining elite performance standards.

Best Known For: 1966 World Surfing Champion, shortboard revolution pioneer
Cannabis Connection: Documented cannabis use during 10-year free-surfing era in the 1960s-70s
Key Quote: “Marijuana was a really important thing in my life during the free-surfing era. It brought me understanding and influenced my approach to wave riding during that period.”

Young’s cannabis use during the late 1960s shortboard revolution represents the historical foundation of surf-cannabis culture. He first smoked pot in Hawaii during the winter of 1962-63 and became a consistent advocate throughout his career. Unlike modern surfers who might use cannabis for recovery, Young incorporated it directly into his surfing experience during the late 1960s and 1970s, describing how cannabis influenced his creative approach during that era’s iconic surf films. His partnership with shaper Bob McTavish included smoking before Honolua Bay sessions in 1967, creating some of surfing’s most influential moments. Young generally avoided using cannabis before competitions, maintaining a clear distinction between free-surfing creativity and competitive performance—a philosophy that influenced generations of surfers.

Best Known For: Longboard champion, WSL policy critic
Cannabis Connection: Openly critical of WSL’s marijuana policy, accepted 2016 Weedmaps sponsorship
Key Quote: Described as a “ganja die-hard” who remains openly critical of “silliness and hypocrisy of the WSL’s drug policy.”

Tudor represents the bridge between historical cannabis use and modern advocacy. His 2016 sponsorship by Weedmaps for the North Shore house marked a significant moment in industry acceptance, showing that established champions could publicly associate with cannabis brands. Unlike surfers who keep their cannabis use private, Tudor has consistently challenged the WSL’s prohibition, arguing that professional surfers are “ever more comfortable with going public with their smoking.” His vocal stance helps normalize cannabis within competitive surfing circles while maintaining his championship credentials. Tudor’s advocacy demonstrates how established surfers can use their platform to push for policy changes that reflect the reality of surf culture.

Best Known For: Legendary surfboard shaper, shortboard revolution pioneer
Cannabis Connection: Documented cannabis use during pivotal surfboard design era with Nat Young
Key Quote: Part of the influential group that smoked before Honolua Bay sessions during 1967.

McTavish’s contribution to surf-cannabis history lies in his role as both shaper and surfer during marijuana’s influential period in surfing’s evolution. His partnership with Nat Young during the shortboard revolution wasn’t just about board design—it was about a cannabis-influenced approach to wave riding that prioritized flow and connection over rigid technique. The specific documentation of their pre-session rituals at Honolua Bay provides rare historical evidence of how cannabis directly influenced surfing’s development. McTavish represents how cannabis wasn’t just recreational for these pioneers—it was integral to their creative process and ocean philosophy, helping shape the equipment and approach that define modern surfing.

Best Known For: Professional big wave surfer, modern cannabis advocate
Cannabis Connection: 2016 Weedmaps North Shore house sponsorship, public cannabis comfort
Key Quote: Part of the “modern wave of surfers comfortable discussing cannabis publicly.”

Fletcher’s significance lies in representing cannabis acceptance within high-risk surfing disciplines. Big wave surfing demands peak mental and physical performance, yet Fletcher’s willingness to publicly associate with cannabis brands challenges the stereotype that cannabis impairs athletic ability. His 2016 Weedmaps sponsorship alongside other North Shore surfers marked a turning point where cannabis brands began investing in surf culture beyond underground support. Fletcher demonstrates that cannabis use doesn’t conflict with the intense focus required for big wave surfing—in fact, many surfers argue it enhances their connection to the ocean environment they risk their lives in.

Best Known For: Professional surfer, brother of 3x World Champion Andy Irons
Cannabis Connection: 2016 Weedmaps sponsorship, vocal about cannabis health benefits
Key Quote: Comfortable voicing “health benefits of an increasing range of CBD and THC products.”

Irons represents the modern health-focused approach to cannabis within surfing. His advocacy centers on the therapeutic potential of cannabis products rather than just recreational use. Following in his family’s progressive attitude toward substances (his brother Andy was known for his open approach to various substances), Bruce has become a vocal proponent of cannabis wellness. His recent exploration of psychedelic-assisted mental health treatment in 2024 shows how surfers are increasingly viewing plant medicine as part of holistic health approaches. Irons’ perspective bridges the gap between traditional surf culture’s recreational cannabis use and modern wellness movements that emphasize intentional, health-focused consumption.

Best Known For: Professional surfer, Hawaiian environmental activist
Cannabis Connection: 2016 Weedmaps North Shore house sponsorship, cannabis-environmental advocacy
Key Quote: Connects “cannabis rights with environmental activism” in Hawaiian context.

Barca uniquely represents the intersection of surf, cannabis, and environmental activism. His advocacy ties cannabis legalization to broader environmental and social justice issues in Hawaii, where the traditional pakalolo culture meets modern regulatory challenges. As part of the 2016 Weedmaps North Shore house sponsorship group, Barca used his platform to highlight how cannabis prohibition conflicts with Hawaiian cultural practices and environmental values. His dual role as surfer and activist demonstrates how modern cannabis advocacy in surfing extends beyond personal use to include policy reform and cultural preservation, making him a crucial voice in the evolving relationship between surfing and cannabis.

Best Known For: “Mr. Pipeline,” legendary tube riding master
Cannabis Connection: Part of 1960s-70s Hawaii scene with “marijuana-inspired” surfing development
Key Quote: Represented the Hawaiian cannabis surf culture “getting to places” with marijuana influence during Pipeline’s golden era.

Lopez’s connection to cannabis lies in his embodiment of the marijuana-influenced surfing that defined Hawaii’s North Shore during the late 1960s and 1970s. As the master of Pipeline—one of surfing’s most demanding and dangerous waves—Lopez’s approach was shaped by the same cannabis culture that influenced his contemporaries. His legendary tube riding wasn’t just technical mastery; it represented a cannabis-influenced perspective that prioritized flow, timing, and ocean connection over aggressive maneuvers. Lopez represents how cannabis helped shape the philosophical approach to surfing that valued harmony with the ocean rather than domination over it—a perspective that continues to influence surf culture today.

Best Known For: Professional skimboarder who transitioned to wave riding
Cannabis Connection: Sponsored by cannabis technology company Superbad Inc.
Key Quote: Represents cannabis acceptance expanding “beyond traditional surfing” into skimboarding subculture.

Domke’s significance lies in representing cannabis sponsorship expansion beyond traditional surfing into related disciplines like skimboarding. His partnership with cannabis technology company Superbad Inc. (rather than traditional cultivators or brands) shows how cannabis industry support is diversifying within action sports. As a pioneer who brought skimboarding techniques to ocean waves, Domke represents innovation and boundary-pushing—qualities that align naturally with cannabis culture’s emphasis on creativity and non-conformity. His sponsorship demonstrates that cannabis acceptance in board sports extends beyond professional surfing to include the broader wave-riding community.

Best Known For: 11x World Surfing Champion, greatest competitive surfer of all time
Cannabis Connection: Criticizes WSL marijuana policy as “silly” despite personal sobriety
Key Quote: “You think that helped him or hurt him? I would have thought it slowed him down. It was kind of ridiculous. The guy wins and they take it away because he was smoking pot and that was cheating.”

Slater provides crucial balance to the cannabis-surf narrative through his sober lifestyle combined with policy criticism. Despite avoiding cannabis personally and favoring “sober life,” Slater has consistently called marijuana testing in competition “silly,” particularly after a snowboarder was stripped of a medal in 2012. His 2015 optioning of the film and TV rights to “Thai Stick: Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Trade” demonstrates his interest in cannabis-surf history, even as he maintains personal sobriety. Slater’s perspective shows that support for cannabis normalization doesn’t require personal use—it can stem from respect for historical context and opposition to what he sees as outdated policies.

Best Known For: Professional surfer, environmentalist, drug-free advocate
Cannabis Connection: “Eschews chemical highs for wave-induced euphoria,” did drug-free YouTube spot
Key Quote: Champions “surfing highs and life lessons, sharing how he avoided drugs to stay focused.”

Machado represents the successful sober alternative within surf culture. His advocacy for natural highs through his partnership with Natural High demonstrates that peak performance and ocean connection don’t require cannabis or other substances. Machado’s approach shows that surf culture encompasses multiple philosophies—while many surfers find value in cannabis, others like Machado achieve the same flow state through pure wave riding. His environmental activism and clean-living philosophy provide an important counterpoint that prevents the narrative from suggesting cannabis is necessary for authentic surfing, instead showing it as one of many valid approaches to ocean connection.

Best Known For: Big wave surfer, sobriety advocate
Cannabis Connection: Credits sobriety for “clutch performances and happiness,” endorses CBD healing powers
Key Quote: Shows “cannabis-derived wellness without THC” through CBD endorsement while maintaining THC sobriety.

Kemper represents the modern distinction between THC and CBD within athletic performance. As a big wave guru who credits sobriety for his peak performances, Kemper demonstrates that elite surfing can coexist with complete THC avoidance. However, his endorsement of recovery-focused CBD shows how surfers are embracing non-psychoactive cannabis compounds for recovery and wellness. This nuanced approach reflects the broader evolution of cannabis understanding in sports—where CBD is increasingly accepted for its therapeutic benefits while THC remains controversial in competition. Kemper’s perspective bridges the gap between traditional anti-drug stances and modern cannabis science.

Cannabis and surfing have shared waves since Hawaiian locals cultivated pakalolo in the 1840s, creating a counter-culture bond that continues today. For many surfers, cannabis represents more than recreation—it’s a tool for ocean connection, recovery, and creative expression. While World Surf League (WSL) competition policies still prohibit marijuana, the broader surf community increasingly embraces cannabis normalization. Whether you’re exploring different cannabis strains for relaxation or seeking local dispensaries near your favorite break, understanding this cultural intersection provides context for modern cannabis acceptance in action sports.

Whether you’re drawn to surf culture’s cannabis connection or seeking your own wellness journey, Herb provides the resources to explore responsibly. Discover curated strain guides to understand which varieties might support relaxation or creativity, browse the extensive products catalog for recovery-focused topicals and oils, or find your nearest dispensary in cannabis-legal states. Stay updated on evolving policies and cultural trends through Herb’s editorial content and subscribe to the newsletters for the latest developments in cannabis and culture.