In the history of professional sports, sibling duos have frequently made a lasting impact, dominating their respective fields and setting new standards for excellence. Think of the legendary pairings of Venus and Serena Williams in tennis, Peyton and Eli Manning in football, or Pau and Marc Gasol in basketball. Surfing, too, has seen its share of powerful brother pairs who have shaped the sport, from the Ho brothers, Michael and Derek, to the Hobgoods, the Fletchers, and the Wrights.
But where do Griffin and Crosby Colapinto stand in this rich legacy? After their first full year together on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) in 2023, many are asking: Could the Colapinto brothers be the greatest sibling duo in professional surfing history?
The Colapinto Year in Review
For Griffin and Crosby, the numbers speak for themselves. In their debut year together on Tour, Griffin, the older of the two, finished an impressive third in the CT rankings, while Crosby—nicknamed Croz—came in at number 10. To top it off, Crosby clinched the coveted Rookie of the Year title, marking an exceptional start to his pro surfing career.
Their 2023 performances have drawn comparisons to some of surfing’s most successful sibling tandems. However, when stacked against the records of other brother duos, the Colapintos still have some ground to cover.
Facing Strong Competition: The Hobgoods and the Wrights
When it comes to raw competition results, the Colapinto brothers still have work to do to catch up with some of surfing’s most accomplished sibling pairs. Take the Hobgoods, for example: CJ Hobgood won a World Championship, and Damien Hobgood finished 10th in the 2001 season, despite the year being shortened to just five events due to the September 11 attacks. Their remarkable consistency over the years cements them as one of the sport’s most successful brother teams.
The Wright brothers, Owen and Tyler, have also carved out their place in surfing history. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Owen Wright clinched the Gold medal in the sport’s Olympic debut, while Tyler, despite her best efforts, lost in the quarterfinals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Griffin Colapinto faced a similar fate at Paris 2024, exiting in the quarterfinals, while Crosby didn’t qualify for the Games at all.
Although the Colapintos have not yet matched the Olympic success of the Wrights, their performance on the CT is undeniable. For now, their future prospects are promising as they prepare for another year of competition.
A Broader Legacy: Impact Beyond Contest Results
Of course, evaluating a duo’s place in surfing history isn’t solely about contest rankings. The Colapintos’ influence extends beyond competitive results, shaping the sport in terms of innovation, style, and freesurfing culture. From board design to big-wave feats, these elements also play a significant role in defining a brother duo’s legacy. But that’s a conversation for another time.
The Future Looks Bright for the Colapinto Brothers
So, are Griffin and Crosby Colapinto the best brother duo in pro surfing history? It’s too soon to make a definitive claim, but their impressive results in 2023 put them firmly in the conversation. With another year ahead, including the 2025 CT season kicking off at Pipeline in January, the Colapinto brothers will have plenty of opportunities to prove their dominance and perhaps elevate their status even further.
For now, their impressive performances on the Championship Tour show that, at least in the current era, the Colapinto brothers are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.
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