Thank you GOAT!
Can you believe? Surf news? Actual real surf news and I had to rub my eyes too. I had to rub them then do a double take* but there, in front of me, remained an old friend, the greatest surfer of all time, heading to New Zealand in order to take a spot from a young hopeful, play golf and give a “stamp of credibility” to the local scene.
And let’s tuck into the press release, very quickly, before having an important discussion.
The Piha Pro, which takes place between March 16-22, will be the first time Slater has competed in New Zealand since 1993.
The Piha Pro is one stop on the newly-announced WSL Challenger Series which will see more than 100 surfers chasing qualifying for the elite Championship Tour in 2021.
“I’m excited to be surfing again in an event in New Zealand and seeing all my fans there. I love the country and all it has to offer… incredible surf, golf and so much more,” Slater said.
“I’m also looking forward to starting my 2020 WSL season by competing at a Challenger Series event.”
Event director Chris Simpson was pleased to see Slater will compete in New Zealand for the first time in 27 years.
“This is a real coup for the Corona Piha Pro; to have the greatest of all time in our first year goes to show how well-regarded Piha is as a surf destination,” said Simpson.
“It gives us a real stamp of credibility and is going to create hype around the sporting community in New Zealand.”
Now, this new Challenger Series sounds like it might be a good time, no? But I’m still utterly confused. Does it replace the QS? Is it a bridge between the QS and the CT or is it like the XFL a “different” league for athletes who are “almost good?”
It’s nice, in whatever case, that Kelly Slater is going and taking a slot from someone who, best case scenario, might end up on the CT someday as a number 23 spot and annoy us for one entire half of the year in that bottom half of the draw.
An act of mercy.
It’s also nice that Kelly Slater is giving New Zealand a real surf stamp of credibility but, and correct me if I’m wrong, isn’t Luke Cederman from the country?
Didn’t he provide that stamp years ago?
Negatron? Any insight here?
*As “President of Content, Media, Studios, Etc. Erik “ELo” Logan was an utter failure. Never before in my years as a surf journalist have I seen such an absolute dearth of professional surfing related content.
I know he’s been here a few times over the years, but likewise I don’t recall him competing??
pakuranga is good – but only if youre drunk n desperate.
Any port in a storm.
Ke11y obvs didn’t get the memo about the white power “ok” hand gesture. So now he’s a racist if the woke crew get a hold of this pic. The failing NY times covered this so it must be true.
https://www.google.com/amp/…
NEW HURLULEY MERCH! https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Weird option to be competing in qs events as they only matter for qualification in 2021. Does he really expect to be competing as a 49 year old?
All CT surfers are obliged to surf at least one QS10000/CS event each year. Basically it’s a PR move i the surfer contrats so that whenever there’s a big QS event the WSL can say “this event even attracted several top 32 WCT surfers because that’s how good this location is and they’re definitely not here out of contractual obligation”
Chris Simpson must be fucken blind from bashing it too hard or live in Dorkland.
Prolly both.
BREAKING
Mick fanning proposes to his dog to the shock of his pregnant GF. https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Wait til she finds out about his secret life commenting on here as Wiggoly’s Paddling Style.
She’s probly got a lot of things to find out.
Like how she’ll have to apply a smear of dogshit to all the beer bottles she opens for him, just to replicate the effect of using his fancy sandals.
Youre scary!
The sadist in me is hoping for a classic west coast day with 25 knot sou’westers and 2-10 foot of relentless swell. “Show us how you duck dive Kelly”.
The chances are high, given the past few months of never ending mega slop.
Right. So you haven’t had any of those sweet summer easterly winds this year?
I like surfing in NZ because its not recognized as a surf destination : (
Well, not untill now……..
*tramp stamp
Can the grit sponsor cedermelon to do his people watching sideline report style? I would love his take
“I’m excited to be surfing again in an event in New Zealand and seeing all my fans there. I love the country and all it has to offer… incredible surf, golf and so much more,” Slater said.
Vomit.
What has happened to surfers– when ‘surf stars’ are more important than ‘the surf’.
OHMYGOD FREERIDER SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY. You are the most repetitive being in the universe.
Actually second only to Chas.
ohhhhh snap, here we go with the all caps, click bait Youtube titles!
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Bold to assume his best surfing is already behind him… or is it?
Kelly Slater is New Zealand’s great white (-ish*) hope.
*Syrian (-ish)
shame on wp sign…
The choicest
He’ll be blowing up all our secret spots on Instagram with Trout fishing photos.
At least now we will be famous for The Lord of the Rings and that place Kelly Slater visited.
Speaking of Luke…
https://instagram.com/tv/B8…
Hahahahar !
That place the GOAT fucked a sheep.
His best work was a couple of years ago when he was on married at first sight, brilliant TV!
*Meeting in a Santa Monica Del Taco, surf journalist/WSL antagonist, Charlie Smith, and WSL CEO, Erik “ELo” Logan, stop to discuss the WSL and professional surfing’s direction, “off-the-record” (so ELo thinks)*
Chas: as President of Content, Media, Studios, Ab Lounge Infomercial, etc. you failed at your job of making any good content and…
ELo: hey, buddy, let me stop you right there and ask, did you see the content that was on OWN? Have you watch an episode of The Paynes? Like, I’m talking about a full episode…
Chas: no, but…
ELo: so, you see, the only reason anybody watches the station is because of Oprah. Ohhh.Prahhhhhh. Hmmmm?…
Chas: I guess…
ELo: eventually Slater will be the face with Soul(surf) Sundays…
Chas: No one likes Slater, I mean, not really. He’s a conspiracy theory kook…
ELo: Ah, but he’s the only surfer normal people know… He going to New Zealand to start filming.
Chas: Oh. It’s all starting to make sense. Shallow inspirational garbage peddling. How’s that different than the elephant dung you’ve already released?
ELo: Just you wait, ‘enry ‘iggins, just you wait
You’ll be sorry but your tears ‘ll be to late!
It would be interesting to know what his appearance fee is…..he was paid a very healthy one by the NSW Govt a few years ago in Manly from all accounts.
Last year. Let’s take a wild swing and say $50,000 plus expenses plus the WSL sends out some marketing emails featuring Outerknown.
New Zealand will probably have to deed Kelly some oceanfront property.
I think you can probably at least double that.
Pro surfing, sucking on the government teat since… Pretty sure Auckland Council’s tourism arm is kicking in plenty of public cash for the Piha Pro. Good to see a healthy chunk will be going to a man as needy as Kelly!