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
He has a great knack for picking the right wave and he's a really smart competitor. He might even bust out a superman air. He has a few tricks up his sleeve. He always pulls reverses and airs that other people don't.
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.
Andy gets ahead of the pack, it will be, but if he falls between Fanning and Munro then they could step it up and it will all be back for the taking. Trestles (in California) will tell all.
It may have been one wave in one heat but by him winning he gained 178 points on me and if I'd won I would have moved (further) ahead,
It's funny because depending on the day or where we are, my favorite surfer is either Andy or Bruce.
It's a magical start. It kind of gives me a nice little cushion there. If I just surf loose and get another result or two, then everything's lined up real good for the start of the year.
What we're trying to do is create futuristic surf communities.
Most of what Hawaii has to offer is no secret. Pipeline is probably the most famous wave in the world.
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.
Maintaining marriage seems to be tougher than fatherhood: apparently it's the most difficult thing in the world.
When I'm 50 I want to be a better surfer than I am now - for me it's a lifelong journey.
Big waves are a whole different ball game. You're riding a wave with an immense amount of speed and power, generally over 10 meters. On the face of the wave, obviously life and death thoughts start to happen.
It's a perfect wave when small and the most beautiful and scary wave on Earth when it's big, as the swell from deep water hits the shallow reef ledge. A ten-foot high wave and a 30-footer break in the same depth of water.
I surf more now for other people than myself. I feel a lot of support from people wanting me to do well, and I feed off that. I can send a positive message to people from what I do.