Slater takes off basically blind and squeezes out a nine-point ride. Photo: WSL
Kelly Slater is unique in all of sports. He is, of course, surfing’s GOAT. The greatest of all time; a man who has won just about everything there is to win in pro surfing. Eleven world titles. Eight Pipe Masters. Five Laureus World Sports Awards. An Eddie, and just about everything in between and on either side.
Over the course of that most illustrious career, Slater has developed some sort of preternatural connection with a few waves. Pipeline comes to mind first, perhaps, but also Teahupo’o. And at the recent Tahiti Pro (sponsored by Slater’s Outerknown), Slater proved that, even at the ripe old age of 54, he can put a wildcard to good use. Such good use, in fact, that the World Surf League put together the little ode you see here.
“When reflecting on what Kelly Slater did at the recent Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, one word comes to mind: Timeless,” the WSL wrote. “For time hasn’t taken away what magic the 11-time World Champion is capable of, and he proved that to the world yet again in GOAT fashion. From perilous falls to broken boards, and then a near-perfect 19.57 heat total. Something only Slater could muster when Teahupo’o is staring him in the face with its teeth ajar.”
