On Tuesday, the iconic Australian surf brand, Rip Curl announced the addition of Conner Coffin to their elite international surf team. Following a longstanding relationship with his previous sponsor, Hurley, the transition to Rip Curl seems like a natural one for the Santa Barbara native. He will be joining the likes of 3x World Champ Mick Fanning, 2014 World Champ Gabriel Medina, and of course, his childhood hero and fellow Santa Barbara native, Tom Curren on the team.

New Year, new sponsor. Conner Coffin is embracing a budding relationship with Rip Curl. - WSL / Steve Morissette

"I'm so grateful to have this opportunity with Rip Curl," says Conner. "To be a part of a brand that has stayed so true to surfing over the decades is awesome. I think we have similar goals, and I'm so excited to have their support on the Tour at this stage in my career. It's a great crew, and going on Search trips with some of my favorite surfers doesn't sound too bad either…"

Conner Coffin - WSL / Kelly Cestari

After finishing his 2016 rookie year ranked No. 17 on the Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour, Conner will be plenty motivated to start his sophomore season with a fresh sticker on his nose. Not only that, but he will also have the opportunity to bring his powerful style to remote areas around the globe on Rip Curl's Search Program. But surfing aside, Conner's authentic character is what makes this new relationship so valuable. And Rip Curl is excited to support all his endeavors.

Between his raw style and cruisy character, Coffin has quite a fan base. - WSL / Kelly Cestari

"It's been a long time since we've had a strong American surfer on our elite team, and it seems about time," says Neil Ridgway, Rip Curl's Chief of Marketing. "Conner is a great fit on the team, is a highly talented surfer, and we think he truly brings something unique to surfing and the World Tour. He'll go a long way with the support from our crew, and we can't wait to see the results."