Rob Machado

Rob Machado is an elder statesman of the surfing community, revered for both his talent and character. Although he retired from the ASP tour in 2001, he remains one of the most recognizable names in modern surfing. Born in Sydney, Australia in 1973, Machado moved to Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA at the age of three. Situated near the thriving beach culture of San Diego, it was not long before Rob was exposed to the world of surfing. His father, Jim, was an amateur surfer himself, and his second cousin was one of the best known amateurs in the San Diego area. Inspired by this family tradition, Rob quickly began to establish a strong name for himself in the Southern California surfing community. His notoriously smooth surfing style was matched only by his equally smooth demeanor, leading many to dub him "Mr. Smooth."

Throughout his adolescence, Rob Machado unleashed impressive performances in a number of high-profile competitions. By the time he was 16, Rob was already competing in domestic pro tour events with the likes of Pat O'Connell and Kelly Slater. Slater, in particular, became a close friend — and frequent competitor — of Machado's. In fact, the face-off between the two in the 1995 Pipeline Masters is widely regarded as one of the most unforgettable battles in modern surfing history. Although he never fully managed to match the success of Slater, Rob consistently ranked among the top ten surfers in the world throughout his pro career.

In addition to his many surfing accolades, Machado is also admired for the breadth of his environmental and humanitarian work. He founded the Rob Machado Foundation in 2005, aiming to support charities that are committed to environmental protections in Southern California. Today, Machado's past accomplishments and personal integrity make him an ideal ambassador for the sport. Even as a new generation of competitors emerges, Rob remains one of the most popular figures in surfing.

Rob Machado's Career Highlights

Rob Machado's professional victories are too numerous to list; however, a number of titles stand out as the highlights of his storied career. Rob won the Pipeline Masters Championship in 2000, and in 2006 he became the Monster Energy Pipeline champion. Additionally, he won the US Open of Surfing Championship in 1995, 2001, and 2006. Also in 2006, Rob won a gold medal at the X Games. Machado was inducted into the Surfer’s Hall of Fame in 2000, receiving re-induction honors in 2006.