"The brave and unselfish step of deciding not to stay at the party too long..."
It was roughly six years ago, now, when Kelly Slater shocked the world by announcing his second retirement from professional surfing. Australian great Joel Parkinson had just declared he would be stepping away from competition, after the 2018 season, when Slater gamely raised his hand and pulled straying eyeballs back his way with a quick “me too.”
The eleven-time world champion, of course, did not retire and here we are, days away from the 2024 World Surf League running and there we have Kelly Slater clutching his special season-long wildcard ready to give it all another go. The fifty-four-year-old’s longevity is, most definitely, eye widening, impressive, though is it seemly?
Five, though really six, time champion and Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore brought tears to eyes, yesterday, when she announced her own retirement. The heartfelt “dear surfing” social media video was moving. The New York Times feature note perfect.
This time, Slater kept his hand down though straying eyeballs still rolled his way and especially after reading this passage lauding Moore:
Carissa possesses both the poise and confidence required to venture away from the tour at the top of her game, complete with a full tank of gas. By taking the brave and unselfish step of deciding not to stay at the party too long, Carissa refreshingly demonstrates just how much honor and respect she exhibits for her sport.
Sizzle.
But let’s real talk amongst ourselves. Has Slater selfishly “staying at the party too long” become a piece of performance art? Something odd and beautiful and altogether mesmerizing?
Or is it straight up macabre?
David Lee Scales and I, anyhow, discussed what will happen to the second greatest to ever do it as the Lexus Pro Pipe gets underway.
Your thoughts?
Here’s mine.
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Could someone please direct me to the schedule that lists the first and last qualifying series events for the current season 23/24. I see events listed on WSL going all the way to next December, but I’m sure it cuts off for the 2024 Challenger season qualification but I can’t seem to find specific dates and listings for the start or end dates for qualifying for the 2024 Challenger series. If it’s somewhere and I just missed it I apologize, but any direction would be appreciated. I know where the schedule is on the WSL site but cannot find the specific cutoff dates for contests that are the last one for example for each region. I know this isn’t exactly the right place for this question, however I’ve asked WSL directly and they just say look at the schedule which does not provide this information. I’ve even made a bunch of posts on Facebook and nobody has answered it’s quite strange..
Belly would be there smoking his junk.
Beachgrit is getting quoted in F1 media now!
https://www.planetf1.com/ne…
GP Fans even provided a link. Still our line-up isn’t that crowded! Or is it?
Beachgrit also mentioned/ kinda refuted on palm springs TV. It’s seeping into the real world. Not great. https://nbcpalmsprings.com/…
Beachgrit misinformation and fake news spreading like a STD!
That sounds like a set up for a Beach Grit Rash Guard giveaway.
Beachgrit is getting so popular that authentic brand are going to throw an offer their way. Will they take it?
More questions than answers.
Kelly has done more for the tour than any other surfer out there. And still at 51 one of the top 10 surfers on the planet. He can fucking stay until he’s 80 as far as I am concerned.
Why can’t he stay on tour with his surfing? WSL gives him the special privilege permanent wild card.
If he could stay on with his skill, I say, surf forever!
It’s like going to a party you weren’t invited to, but only because the kids mom forced them to invite you cuz the parents are friends.
Playing devils advocate here…
But what will Kelly and his narcissism do when their body simply cannot continue? Full time online troll. It’ll be hard to watch, but impossible to look away
there’d be no better place for him to troll than Beach Grit (if he’s not already)… and I honestly mean that with full respect for him, no matter the jokes we make here…
mmm, interesting thought,
thank you for that, he could be lurking somewhere near right now
Remind that red headed mate of yours that he’s a cunt.
It will be hard to watch. Hopefully he does something productive.
I get it. But nobody has brought more visibility to the tour than Kelly. When he surfed we ALL watched. We still do.
I get you, Kelly IS pro surfing.
Kelly did what for the tour?
It’s dying/ dead!
I agree – it is now dead. When Kelly surfed in the 90’s-00’s, everyone stopped to watch. That is a fact.
He’s 56
56 only according to BG math…
I’m going to back off the usual chiding of the Goat for a second here, and attempt to ask a serious question based on your statement “Kelly has done more for the tour than any other surfer out there.”.
Surely he has done much, more than most, for the “tour” during his years upon years of titles and other-wordly performances in the ASP days. But can we agree that since this billionaire VAL and assorted fraudsters from outside the surf industry with backward fin set-ups and tattoo replica t-shirts showed up and changed A-S-P to W-S-L, that there are certainly others who have “done more for the tour” than Kelly?
I can agree that since the billionaire VAL took over, they have destroyed competitive surfing. So in a sense they may have ‘done more for the tour’ but not in a good way.
and to be clear… no way was I implying Kelly was in on inflicting the harm with these other kooks…
I agree with you completely. Kelly Slater, a remarkable figure in surfing and an exemplary human being, stands out not just for his incredible surfing skills but also for his impactful contributions beyond the waves. Born in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Slater’s surfing journey began at an early age, winning his first age-division United States championship title at ten. He turned professional in 1990, and within two years, became the youngest surfing world champion at age 20, a record that speaks volumes about his prodigious talent.
Slater’s list of achievements in surfing is unparalleled. He holds an astonishing 11 world titles and 55 event victories, showcasing a level of consistency and dominance rarely seen in any sport. His last world title win at the age of 39 in 2011 also made him the oldest world champion, highlighting his extraordinary longevity in competitive surfing. Beyond these titles, Slater has been instrumental in advancing the sport, known for his innovative style and pushing new technologies in surfing, including the development of a modern wave pool technology with his Kelly Slater Wave Co.
Off the waves, Slater’s character shines through his advocacy for sustainable and clean living, his work as a fundraiser and spokesperson for suicide prevention, and his efforts in preserving oceans and protecting reefs. His contribution to society and environmental conservation reflects his deep understanding and respect for the natural world, a trait that resonates with his surfing philosophy. In 2010, the United States House of Representatives honored him for his outstanding achievements in surfing and his role as an ambassador of the sport and excellent role model.
In summary, Kelly Slater is not just a legendary surfer but a true role model whose influence transcends the boundaries of his sport, inspiring generations through his achievements, environmental activism, and humanitarian efforts. His life and career exemplify dedication, innovation, and a deep connection with our planet, making him a remarkable personality worthy of admiration and respect.
Did you really just do a copy/paste or are you a bot?