It can be difficult to determine the best surfers of all time, as the sport is always changing and evolving. The rich history of surfing perfectly demonstrates that catching waves is always a work in progress. There might be one surfer using new boards and technique, then a younger protegee improving upon these developments. However, here are 5 surfers that could definitely be included in a list of the top surfers of all time:

1. Duke Kahanamoku (Hawaii) is often seen as “the father of modern surfing”, and is an inspirational pioneer of the sport. He also won five Olympic medals in swimming, and remains to this day a revered figurehead of surfing.

2. Layne Beachley (Australia) became a professional surfer at just 16, and was the first woman to win six consecutive World Championships, eventually winning seven in total.

3. Ken Bradshaw (USA) is famous for his death-defying surf on January 28, 1998. Bradshaw surfed an 80-ft wave at Outside Log Cabins, North Shore, Hawaii, which broke world records.

4. Laird Hamilton (USA) is known for seeking out and riding the most impossible waves. He left audiences breathless in Teahupoo when he faced extreme waves and conditions.

5. Greg Noll (USA) who is known colloquially as "Da Bull", is another big wave surfing pioneer. He was the first ever surfer to ride a wave breaking on the outside reef at Banzai Pipeline, completely this massive feat in November 1964.

Which surfers do you think should be on this list? Let us know in the comments!