By 1998, Slater had won six world titles, including five in a row, before shifting into a three-year retirement.
As the tour moves to the Sharia-law ruled United Arab Emirates and the world holds its breath as to the fate of queer surfer Tyler Wright, who risks execution, lengthy imprisonment, maybe a stoning etc, one man is quietly celebrating his fifty-third birthday, the greatest athlete ever Kelly Slater.
And the surfing world, from big-wave wrangler Shane Dorian to the World Surf League to photographer Todd Glaser and his Chinese-American bikini mogul gal Kalani Miller, the mammy to his unnamed bebe, have showered Kelly Slater in praise, festooning their personal Instagram accounts with candid photos and stunning tribute.
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Kelly Slater was born on February 11, 1972, obvs, in Cocoa Beach, Florida. His first name Bobby but always went by Kelly, middle names used as first names real common in the south.
His Daddy Stephen owned a bait-and-tackle shop and Mama Judy worked as an EMT and firefighter. Kelly grew up with two brothers, Sean and Stephen.
Slater began surfing at the age of five, first up on a booger with fins and shifted to regular prone surfing when he was eight.
By 1998, Slater had won six world titles, including five in a row from ’94 to 98, before shifting into a three-year retirement. He was lured out of his hammock in 2002 after Andy Irons threatened to surpass his world title record.
Slater would win five more world titles, his last in 2011, before continuing to pivot in and out of retirement, although now, despite moving beautifully at the Pipe Pro, it seems like he’s pretty much done, a cameo here and there at Pipe and Teahupoo the only times we’ll see him.
Too many fond memories of Kelly Slater to count, although his work online, with his innumerable blood feuds, fingers dripping acid, rarely fail to please.
Regular readers of BeachGrit have thrilled to such classics as,
“Blood feud: Slater vs Flat Earthers!”
Only last week, Slater was garlanded with universal praise by online commenters after his “best” and “most savage” Instagram takedown ever.
Happy birthday to the Champ!
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Surfing was cooler when we all hated Slater
But do we have a name for the child yet?
We are left to wonder why Kelly hasn’t hooked up with another has been Lindsey Vonn as they both seem to be in the depths of despair over their ever-growing irrelevance
It was nice to see the old man thread a few tubes last week
… and let’s not forget the greatest tribute ever to RKS — and Steve: https://beachgrit.com/2024/04/on-childhood-loss-and-growing-up-in-the-shadow-of-surfings-mozart/
Your tribute hit hard as we’re all haunted by childhood friends and heroes lost along the way. Also, your piece reminded me of the many hours spent at Salt Creek watching groms and their dads along with other impressive surfers ply their trade while wondering if any of them will be the next Kelly Slater.
getting older a bitch no doubt
It is a fascinating dynamic and I find myself enjoying things I never thought I’d enjoy at this age while I contemplate the heavy parts. The irreverence of BG, the wild west of Musk’s X, the physical abuse of climbing mtns, paddling outside just to watch good surfers to name a few.
Good list and Dynamic is right. Wish I had done some things differently in my early years while simultaneously not wanting to have done anything to prevent me from ending up where I am now. Do wish someone had told me early on that save a handful of true rocket scientists, they’re all just dumb fucks struggling to look brilliant, no matter how high up the ladder they appear to have climbed.
They’re all just humans after all and I learned a few decades ago to find ways to NOT rip most of their hearts out. In ’03 learned to put my ego in check to use corporate America to fund our family goals until I left that cesspool in ’11 to start a small firm and only work with people I like and respect.
Fond memories of Slater?
Haha.
Every time I see his name, I literally get a little cringe of pain, (true), (combined with a wish he would just disappear from the surf world).
Last minute plus of Jordy’s “Plus 27 Redux” well worth the visit..
Read the title and thought he’d died!
Kinda surprised he didn’t give himself a birthday celebration on the gram.
Give it time. He strikes me as the kind of guy who gives himself a birthday week.
Greatest dad ever
Starting……. now!
“Kelly Slater was born on February 11, 1972, obvs”
Very slick, Derek. But that didn’t get past me! I’ll have you know, he is biologically in his mid 30s!
A true reader!
“Fond memories”?
Of Slater?
Shirley you jest?
I ain’t Shirley and no jest!
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
you’re kidding right
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Seriously
“Dat’s our baby.” Blake Lively
What? Ryan Reynolds
I like that the baby being unnamed is continuing as a bit even after he said the baby’s name in one of his post-heat interviews
Is it Tao?
No, misheard! It’s Sanyo Cuntoss McGinty!
Xox
Towel Slater
How many fucking times do I need to tell people.
2nd name Lee
Flog Rag Miyagi.
Xox
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Pretty sure that’s what Ross said!
Would fit with current Pro Surfing Child Naming Conventions
I missed that. So we have a name?
What the heck is prone surfing Dez?
Oops! But too funny to change!
It’s sorta like prone boning.
Boogie boarding?
Dez writes the articles for prone bono