The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the upper-body aerobic fitness characteristics in 2 groups of competitive surfers with different performance levels. Thirteen male competitive surfers performed an incremental dry-land board paddling test to determine specific peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), peak power output (Wpeak) and the exercise intensity (%VO2peak) that elicits a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x L(-1) (LT4). As a measure of surfing performance, surfers were ranked according to their competitive season performance (RANK) and divided into 2 groups based on their performance level; European top-level competitive surfers (ELS) (n = 7) and regional level competitive surfers (RLS) (n = 6). ELS reached significantly higher values than RLS for Wpeak (154.71 +/- 36.82 W vs. 117.70 +/- 27.14 W: P = 0.04) and LT4 (95.18 +/- 3.42 %VO2peak vs. 88.89 +/- 5.01 %VO2peak; P = 0.02) but not VO2peak (3.34 +/- 0.31 L x min(-1) vs. 3.40 +/- 0.37 L x min(-1); P = 0.77). Spearman-rank order correlation analysis revealed that RANK was inversely correlated with Wpeak (r = -0.65, P = 0.01) and LT4 (r = -0.58, P = 0.03). These findings identify that better surfers have higher upper body aerobic fitness scores.