Rage percolates.
What can be written about Kelly Slater that has not already been? That he enjoys nose walking snowboards? That his girlfriend is Chinese? Old news, all of it, as the world’s greatest surfer has had his life combed over so greatly, with such relish, that every hidden truth is public, every step, over the course of 50+ years, accounted for.
Part of it is due the fact that Slater is not media averse. While he has a famous penchant for blocking those sporting journalists he does not like, he spreads himself wide before others and shares innermost secrets with ease.
Part of it is due the fact that he is 50+ and has been under the burning klieg light for the vast majority of it.
It could be thought that Slater will surf into his 60s, 70s, 80s and do so extremely publicly though a new challenger has reared his head and stolen the GOAT’s thunder.
Namely, Seiichi Sano.
The diminutive Japanese man decided his life needed challenges, around 80 years of age, and so he climbed Mt. Fuji and took up surfing.
Now almost 90, The Guinness Book of World Records has officially recognized him as the “world’s oldest male surfer.
“I think it would be interesting to try to surf until I’m 100,” he told the Associated Press. “I think I take better care of myself when I have goals like this. Even now, I take better care of myself than I did before.”
Slater is certainly at home seething right now, imagining some way he might steal Sano’s thunder. Dreaming of ways to shade the elderly gentleman.
Remember when Joel Parkinson dared announce his retirement?
In any case, I’d imagine that Slater will, himself, now claim that he is already 100.
He surfs against Jack Robinson and some unknown at the upcoming Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
Maybe “event seed #36” is World Surf League Chief of Sport Jessi Miley-Dyer.
Worldwide Look At Me Tour rolling on.