Last updated on: December 9th, 2024

Legal Surfing Betting

Surfing betting is a niche but exciting market in the world of sports wagering. While it’s still growing in popularity compared to major sports, it offers unique and fun ways to bet on winners, individual rides, and even record-breaking performances. With global surfing tournaments happening throughout the year, there are always odds at legal surfing betting sites. Immerse yourself in high-stakes competitions while potentially riding the big wave to big winnings.

Surfing Betting Sites

Best Surfing Betting Sites

Rank Sportsbook Bonus Offer Play Now
1 Bovada Online Sportsbook Exclusive 50% Bonus Code up to $1000!Read Review BVD1000 in Cashier
2 BetOnline Online Sportsbook 50% Up To $1,000Read Review Visit BetOnline!
3 MyBookie Online Sportsbook 50% Up To $1,000 Read Review Visit MyBookie!
4 Xbet Online Sportsbook 100% Up To $300Read Review Visit Xbet!
5 Sportsbetting Online Sportsbook 50% Up To $1,000 Read Review Visit SportsBetting!

Where Can I Bet On Surfing Online?

For those who have never bet on surfing online in the past, the top sportsbooks like Bovada and BetOnline are excellent options to start.

Visit Bovada Sportsbook
Rating: 5 Star Rating
  • Surfing Bet Types: Offers moneyline bets on tournament winners, individual heats, and unique prop bets during major surfing events.
  • How to Find: Surfing bets are typically under the “All Sports” section.
  • Real Money Betting: Deposits are accepted via credit cards, cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum), Zelle, and more.
BitcoinVisaMastercardAmerican ExpressZelle
Visit BetOnline Sportsbook
Rating: 5 Star Rating
  • Surfing Bet Types: Provides options for outright winners, over/under on wave scores, and futures betting for WSL tournaments.
  • Navigation: Surfing odds can be found under the “Surfing” tab on the left-hand side, near the bottom in the niche sports section.
  • Betting Convenience: Flexible funding options include a dozen cryptos, VISAs, MasterCard, and more.
BitcoinVisaMastercardAmerican ExpressZelle

What Surfing Tournaments Can I Bet On?

Surfing tournament odds at legal sports betting sites span across various leagues and event types. Odds range from professional circuits like the World Surf League (WSL) to prestigious one-off competitions and regional qualifying series events. From longboard and big wave competitions to junior series, each week at surfing betting sites there there seems to be a tournament to bet on. However, betting on the World Surf League (WSL) events is the most popular among bettors.

Date Event Location
Jan. 27 – Feb. 8 Lexus Pipe Pro Banzai Pipeline (Hawaii)
Feb. 14-16 Surf Abu Dhabi Pro Hudayriat Island (UAE)
Mar. 15-25 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Supertubos (Portugal)
Apr. 2-12 Surf City El Salvador Pro Punta Roca (El Salvador)
Apr. 18-28 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Bells Beach (Australia)
May 3-13 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Snapper Rocks (Australia)
May 17-27 Western Australia Margaret River Pro Margaret River (Australia)
Jun. 9-17 Trestles Pro Lower Trestles (United States)
Jun. 21-29 VIVO Rio Pro Saquarema (Brazil)
Jul. 11-20 J-Bay Open Jeffreys Bay (South Africa)
Aug. 7-16 Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o (French Polynesia)
Aug. 27 – Sep. 4 WSL Finals Cloudbreak (Fiji)

How To Bet On Each Surfing Event

While it may seem like surfing is surfing, each competition can bring a varying degree of difference in the wager types. The diverse formats and scoring factors relate to the betting odds, leaving you with environmental factors or judging systems to think about. Use this as a breakdown for how to bet on each surfing event.

1. Championship Tour (CT)

  • Overview: The premier professional surfing league governed by the World Surf League (WSL). CT events attract the top 36 men and 18 women surfers globally.
  • Betting Options: Bet on who will win a specific CT event or wager on individual heat results within the tournament. Prop bets like “highest wave score” or “total points in a heat” are available.
  • Unique Aspects: CT events feature elite surfers competing at iconic surf locations like Pipeline and Bells Beach. The high level of skill among competitors makes analyzing form, wave preferences, and head-to-head stats crucial for informed betting.

2. Challenger Series (CS)

  • Overview: The stepping stone to the CT, where aspiring surfers compete for points to qualify for the Championship Tour.
  • Betting Options: Bet on which surfer will secure enough points to advance to the CT or wager on direct heats between competitors.
  • Unique Aspects: CS events often feature young, hungry surfers. The unpredictability of outcomes and a mix of lesser-known names create longshot betting opportunities.

3. Longboard Tour (LT)

  • Overview: Celebrates traditional longboarding, focusing on style and grace rather than aggressive maneuvers.
  • Betting Options: Wager on style performance as flow can determine winners. Or bet on who will win the entire Longboard Tour.
  • Unique Aspects: LT events stand out for their artistic emphasis. Betting requires understanding the judging criteria, as smooth, stylish rides often score higher than technical moves.

4. Big Wave Competitions

  • Overview: Events like the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge or The Eddie Aikau Invitational focus on massive waves, testing surfers’ courage and skill.
  • Betting Options: Bet on the surfer who rides the tallest wave during the event or predict who will earn the highest individual wave score.
  • Unique Aspects: Conditions can lead to cancellations if the waves aren’t big enough. This uncertainty adds to the thrill, and studying weather patterns and local wave history becomes essential.

5. ISA World Surfing Games

  • Overview: A national team-based event where surfers represent their countries.
  • Betting Options: Bet on the individual or a certain surfing team to win gold. Wager nation vs nation on which country will perform better overall.
  • Unique Aspects: National pride and team dynamics add a different element. The event’s mix of professional and amateur surfers creates interesting situations.

6. Vans Pipe Masters

  • Overview: A high-profile event held at Pipeline, focusing on tube-riding and technical mastery.
  • Betting Options: Bet on the highest barrel score or wager on the winner of specific heats.
  • Unique Aspects: Pipeline’s dangerous reef and hollow waves make this event a test of courage. Familiarity with a surfer’s experience at Pipeline is critical when placing bets.

7. The Eddie Aikau Invitational

  • Overview: A prestigious big wave event held only when conditions exceed 20 feet, featuring an invite-only list of top surfers.
  • Betting Options: Bet on who will claim victory or which surfer will ride the longest wave.
  • Unique Aspects: The rarity of the event (held only in ideal conditions) and its exclusivity make it a highly anticipated surf betting opportunity.

8. Surf Ranch Pro

  • Overview: Held at the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch, a wave pool with controlled, identical waves.
  • Betting Options: Bet on the surfer with the best single wave score or take the long odds that a surfer will achieve a perfect 10 score.
  • Unique Aspects: The artificial wave environment levels the playing field, removing natural variability. Betting relies more on a surfer’s technical precision than adapting to unpredictable ocean conditions.

Surfing Odds At The Olympics

Since surfing debuted in the Summer Olympics in 2020, it has opened up new betting opportunities every four years. Olympic surfing odds focus on outright winners, medal finishes, and even wave scores during heats. With events taking place in high-profile locations and being nationally televised, the Olympic sports betting sites flood the surfing sportsbook area with wagers every day.

Live Surfing Bets

As live betting continues to grow in popularity, some surfing sportsbooks offer in-play wagering. While this may seem impossible, some examples include betting on the next wave score during an ongoing heat, a surfer’s chance to advance, or props about the day’s event (will it get rained out?). The live surfing odds move quickly, so make sure to be decisive; otherwise, you’ll wipe out.