New York, Bells, Portugal and… Trestles! All on one inexpressibly exhilarating reel!
Isn’t it an odd turn of events that a middle-aged man who, until recently, would dress is in shapeless sacks, is the most exciting surfer of 2015. As he was the year before and the year before that.
Yeah, it’s inevitable, I suppose, that John John, or maybe Jack Robinson, will steal our attention, but, for now, it’s Kelly Slater, who’ll turn 44, in February.
I mean, thirty seconds to go, needing a ten, who else can smile faintly, kick start their bike and jump the Caesar Park fountain like Kelly? Always jerky, but always with a tenuous strength, and with landings on cushions.
So how about we celebrate his vigour just a little?
Here are his four greatest Hail Marys, New York, Bells, Portugal and Trestles, all wrapped up in one little pile, complete with the best song from the expansive oeuvre of Brigitte Bardot.
Anyone noticed Johanne Defay scored an 8.5 in round 2 heat 2 of the Cascais Womens Pro by doing one turn, going prone, paddling, standing up again and doing another turn? One wave? And Kelly gets a 4.17 when he lands on his knees and stands up? Check out the analyzer. Its a conspiracy.
It didn’t happen in a final, so it isn’t remembered as well, but his air
in round 3 of the 2012 Bells contest was one of his top 3 contest airs.
For extra context, though it’s not necessary to appreciate the move,
EVERYONE had been falling on the finishing move in the shorebreak
because there was an awkward backwash. I was watching it live and
thought it was 1 in 10 at best that Slater would be able to win the heat
as he was riding his final wave into the last section. Then he pulled
off this amazing full rotator and totally greased the landing.
Kelly Slater — Nic Muscroft – Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 3 Heat 6
https://youtu.be/fp_FYst709A
It didn’t happen in a final, so it isn’t remembered as well, but his air in round 3 of the 2012 Bells contest was one of his top 3 contest airs. For extra context, though it’s not necessary to appreciate the move, EVERYONE had been falling on the finishing move in the shorebreak because there was an awkward backwash. I was watching it live and thought it was 1 in 10 at best that Slater would be able to win the heat as he was riding his final wave into the last section. Then he pulled off this amazing full rotator and totally greased the landing. Incredible. See it here: https://www.youtube.com/wat…
Whoever thinks that the trestles air is in the same league as the other 3 is retarded.
…yike!