Bobby Martinez

American surfer from Santa Barbara known for his technically flawless backhand surfing, who abruptly ended his own World Tour career with a televised outburst at officials in 2011.

Born in Santa Barbara, California, on 26 May 1982, Bobby Martinez began surfing at age six and went on to win a then-record seven National Scholastic Surfing Association national titles. He joined the Association of Surfing Professionals in 2005 and reached the World Championship Tour in 2006, an electrifying rookie season that finished with him ranked fifth in the world after winning at Mundaka and Teahupoo. Martinez's backhand attack, honed at Santa Barbara's Rincon point break, was widely regarded as among the most technically perfect in the sport. He won four World Tour events across his career: Teahupoo (twice), Mundaka (twice), reaching the top 5 in both 2006 and 2007. An outspoken critic of the ASP's administration, Martinez became increasingly disillusioned with the tour's new tennis-style international ranking system. In 2011, ranked 22nd and facing relegation, he announced the Quiksilver Pro New York would be his last event; after defeating Bede Durbidge, he delivered an expletive-laden post-heat interview blasting the ASP, memorably declaring he didn't want to be 'part of this dumb f---ing wannabe tennis tour.' He was suspended and never returned to the tour. Martinez has continued surfing and boxing in Santa Barbara since retiring, remaining a cult figure celebrated for his talent and his uncompromising refusal to conform to the sport's corporate direction.

Technically precise, powerful backhand surfing honed at Rincon

Remembered as one of the most naturally gifted surfers of his generation and a fiercely independent voice in the sport