GOAT etc.
There is no doubt in my mind, not even a hint, that Kelly Slater will be studied by great thinkers and distinguished scholars for centuries to come, if the earth don’t burst into a giant ball of flame first. His singular exploits on a surfboard, yes, his various positions on medicine, the globe’s relative roundness, how and when and what to name a child, all yes, but most ink will be spilled, I believe, on the perpetual surprise of his great fortune.
Yesterday, we have one of Slater’s favorite waves on earth, Teahupo’o, swinging its waiting period gates open wide for the Outerknown Tahiti Pro and who is slotted in as the wildcard? Well the 11-time World Champion himself.
Again, Slater wildly surprised by his selection, declared, “I’ve been coming here since 1993 when there was no one even surfing here so it’s always nice to come back. This year definitely looks different to any other year though having my two young kids here. I’ve had a lot of special moments here over the years but I think winning with my kids here would be the best. It’s going to get big though, so I don’t even know if I’d want them in the boat really. We’ll see though, it’s just cool having them in a place that has meant so much to me over the years. The forecast does look challenging with plenty of swell and lots of wind. I think it will be a bit of a check it on the day situation because it all changes a lot in this part of the world. There’s going to be no shortage of swell, that’s for sure.”
What great fortune, indeed, but then the ocean, stormy and angry, gifting him with such waves. Slater, ready, paddling in, becoming very barreled, happy, afterward, in the channel.
The great thinkers and distinguished scholars will pour over available data points, I would imagine, examining whether Slater had the ability to bend the universe to his will or whether he just carried a perpetual wining lottery ticket. They will zero in on his reaction to each instance of favor, the wonder on his face, the startle in his words, in an attempt to understand how luck works.