These are the Top 15 Female Surfers of 2021

According to the Stab Surfer of the Year voters’ almost unanimous agreeance, Carrissa Moore was untouchable in 2021. At the end of our ten-day peer-reviewed poll, she’d just about doubled the votes of Stephanie Gilmore, who landed in second place. 16-year-old Caity Simmers came up behind Steph by a few points and won the Best Junior accolade. But each peer-reviewed vote is significant in SSOTY and those who received the nod from three or more of our esteemed pool of surfers, photographers, and industry folk deserves to be recognized. 

Following behind Caity in the top 15 female surfers were three girls under the age of 18: Bettylou Sakura Johnson, who recently qualified after beating Carissa Moore in the finals at Haleiwa, finished in 4th place; Sierra Kerr’s Instagram presence, as Jimmy Wilson put it, “seemed like a calculated attack on her entire peer-group,” and landed her in the 6th place position; and Erin Brooks, who won Stab High Costa Rica and landed one of the best airs ever done by a female, finished 10th. 

Freesurfers Jaleesa Vincent and Holly Wawn left a mark on their peers with their performances and general chillness in Stab Highway. Jaleesa’s edit Eerie also tied for second in the Best Edit category. And, Holly’s surfing in the Vans Women’s Film, Cadavre Exquis, secured her some votes. As Dane Reynolds said, “Power! She’s surfing super sick.” 

Justine Dupont did some insane surfing in XXL waves all year—that Jaws barrel being the kicker. Vahine Fierro continued to push how deep the ladies can get in the barrel at Chopes, while Bronte Macaulay did the same in Western Australia. 

2021 was the finest year for female surfing yet — the bar is set. 

The top 15 best female surfers according to our pollers this year were: 

Surfer of the Year: Female (top 15 surfers)

1. Carissa Moore (179 points)
2. Stephanie Gilmore (91 points)
3. Caity Simmers (82 points)
4. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (47 points)
5. Coco Ho (43 points)
6. Sierra Kerr (40 points)
7. Justine Dupont (39 points)
8. Tatiana Weston-Webb (37 points)
9. Jaleesa Vincent (34 points)
10. Erin Brooks (33 points)
11. Caroline Marks (19 points)
12. Holly Wawn (17 points)
13. Vahine Fierro (15 points)
14. Malia Manuel (12 points)
T15. Bronte Macaulay (11 points)
T15. Molly Picklum (11 points)