"Why is this the best looking water ever?
The early 2000s were, in retrospect, an incredible time for professional surfing. The great Andy Irons was at the top of his game, Reef launched Mick Fanning’s now-iconic beer opening sandal and Kelly Slater, who would go on to become the winningest professional surfer of all time, was the face of the Xbox video game Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer wherein dreamers could slip into the skin of the titular character or Lisa Anderson, Tom Carroll, Tom Curren, Nathan Fletcher, Donavon Frankenreiter, Bruce Irons, Rob Machado, Kalani Robb or, with super special skill, Tony Hawk, Travis Pastrana, Tiki God or Surfreak and surf Bells, Kirra, G-Land, Pipeline, Jaws, Mavericks, Cortez Bank, Sebastian Inlet, Trestles, Teahupoo, Curren’s Point, Mundaka, J-Bay, and with super special skill, Wave House, Antarctica, Cosmos and the Bermuda Triangle.
Oh what fun.
The game was lightly well-received, upon release, with critics calling it “playful” and “somewhat enjoyable.” It was, however, nominated for Outstanding Original Sports Game, in 2002, by the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers though lost to Jet Set Radio Future, which focused on spraying graffiti.
As things do, it faded but nostalgia is one hell of a drug and, days ago, thanks to the Xbox Nostalgia X account it is back in a big way.
The post, which garnered over six million views, had people praising the “stunning water graphics” and “super chill vibes.” Young people not believing something so cool could exist. Old people schooling them that we were cool, once, and young.
A real red-letter day.
But did you, yourself, play Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer? Were you good? Who did you surf and which was your favorite locale?
Currently more questions than answers but hopefully that will change soon.