Tom Curren

62, from Santa Barbara, California, USA

Image of Tom Curren

Biography

By the time Curren hit the ASP World Tour in 1983, he was taking out pros such as Rabbit Bartholomew, Shaun Tomson, and Cheyne Horan.

He was world champion three times - 1985, 1986, 1990, and won 33 championship events in his professional career, the latter being a total only bettered by Kelly Slater. He achieved status both for his competitive drive and for his surfing style. He made a decision to retire from competitive surfing in the mid-1990s.

In 1990, at Margaret River, Curren rode a wave all the way from the take-off zone to the Rivermouth - roughly a 1200-foot ride. He then had to walk back to Mainbreak from the Rivermouth to re-enter the surf. Those who saw it say it has never been repeated, in or out of competition.[1]

Curren still surfs in contests on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS.) He is also often invited to surf in World Championship Tour (WCT) trials or contests as a wildcard. He has competed in the Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am Surf Contest[2] for 3 years in a row, surfing on the Switchfoot team.

In his five-year rise to World Surfing Champion Curren appeared under a contract with surfboard company Channel Islands. He co-produced and rode pro surfboard models such as the Black Beauty and the Red Beauty. [3]

Early in his professional career he signed with OP swimwear then later changed sponsorships deals to Rip Curl Wetsuits and Clothing.

Timeline

2020Aged 56

  • Poster for Surfing Morning of the Sun

    (Unknown)

2019Aged 55

  • Poster for Spoons: A Santa Barbara Story

    (Unknown)

2017Aged 53

  • Poster for Alternative Surf Craft

    (Unknown)

2013Aged 49

  • Poster for The White Album

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for Missing

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for Fading West

    Self

2012Aged 48

  • Poster for Bending Colours

    Himself

2010Aged 46

  • Poster for Idiosyncracies

    (Unknown)

2008Aged 44

  • Poster for The Surfer's Journal - Biographies Vol 1 - Curren/Slater

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for 805: Eight Zero Five

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for Bustin' Down the Door

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for One Track Mind

    (Unknown)

2007Aged 43

  • Poster for Thread

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for One California Day

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for Walking on Water

    Self

2005Aged 41

  • Poster for Curren Trials to Title

    (Unknown)

2004Aged 40

  • Poster for Inner Vision From The Search

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for Islands in the Stream

    (Unknown)

1999Aged 35

  • Poster for Billabong Challenge: Nine 9 Lives

    (Unknown)

1998Aged 34

  • Poster for The Kill 3

    (Unknown)

  • Poster for Raw Irons

    (Unknown)

1997Aged 33

  • Poster for Bliss

    (Unknown)

1994Aged 30

  • Poster for The Search 3: Beyond the Boundaries

    (Unknown)

1991Aged 27

1985Aged 21

  • Poster for Blazing Boards

    (Unknown)

Year unknown