Kelly Slater
Kelly Slater
Robert Kelly Slateris an American professional surfer known for his competitive prowess and style. He has been crowned World Surf League Champion a record 11 times, including 5 consecutive titles in 1994–98. He is the youngestand the oldestto win the title. Upon winning his 5th world title in 1997, Slater passed Australian surfer Mark Richards to become the most successful champion in the history of the sport. In 2007 he also became the all-time leader in career event wins by...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionSurfer
Date of Birth11 February 1972
CityCocoa Beach, FL
CountryUnited States of America
When I started surfing, I'd forget about everyone and everything and just go out and surf, ... I surfed by myself, but surfing has allowed me to have friends around the world. It's an exciting time for me and I'm having fun. That's probably why I'm surfing so well.
I feel like an ambassador for surfing at this point. I'm happy to go and play that role and share that where I can in certain areas of the mainstream media that doesn't get the surfing attention.
A lot of times I'll see guys who are nowhere near the level of the board they're riding. They might love surfing and love how it looks, but you really have to work your way up. It takes eating a little humble pie at first, and stepping back to equipment that might be a bit slow, but do it.
I call him 'Danger' and he ripped the other day. He definitely put me on call. I had two days to think about it and I was definitely worried. It was probably the most worried I've been about a wildcard. It felt like surfing against Andy or somebody first up. I'm glad I got that one out of the way.
J-Bay displays the best of people’s surfing.
Not to sound too deep or weird, but I assume that the occasions once you pretty take pleasure in surfing are the occasions you are extremely kind of getting a single with nature.
I still feel like my best surfing is ahead of me.
Your surfing can get better on every turn, on every wave you catch. Learn to read the ocean better. A big part of my success has been wave knowledge.
I've always thought surfing is a reflection of who you are.
I think when a surfer becomes a surfer, it's almost like an obligation to be an environmentalist at the same time.
Surfing is my religion, if I have one.
It's all about where your mind's at
Well I'm always working on constantly everything. I never take the approach that I'm doing as well as I possibly can... I always think there's more and I think if you don't have that, you are not driven to be better.
It's like the mafia. Once you're in - your in. There's no getting out.