When Kelly Slater Wave Company first engineered a left at the company’s tank in Lemoore, Slater himself made a few calls. Fresh off a foot injury sustained at Jeffreys Bay, Kelly couldn’t test the new tech. So, he invited Gerry Lopez, Tom Carroll, and Bethany Hamilton to give the new feature a whirl.
Bethany’s performance, especially on the left, continues to be one of the best we’ve ever seen. Unbeknownst to everyone, Bethany was also getting barreled with precious cargo – she was three months pregnant at the time.
Well, recently the Hamilton family got a second invite to Lemoore – this time three months post-baby – as did filmmaker extraordinaire Aaron Lieber who put together the little edit you see above.
“Last time Bethany was at The Surf Ranch she was three months pregnant,” Lieber told The Inertia. “This time she was 3 months post postpartum and this was my first time going to film at the Ranch as well. It was rad to be able to shoot off a ski and be so close! I also shot from land, but because I was by myself I used a golf cart to get from one side to the other between waves and because the wave is so long I would barely make it to the other side in time. The trip was also rad because it was a trip for Bethany to get herself back surfing again and when you go on normal surf trips you aren’t guaranteed to get waves, but at the Surf Ranch after three waves your legs need a one or two wave rest! It’s pretty insane that the wave exists, I’m blown away.”
When Lieber posted a little teaser on Instagram several days ago (see below) Kelly Slater himself gushed. “Nobody gets barreled that early on the last section,” he said. “Crazy on. Nice south wind also helps that left stay nice and open!”
