Slater is the Best Athlete on the Planet
Sep 12th, 2008 by jacob
Forget Phelps, Bolt, Federer, Woods, Kobe, or Jingjing… Kelly Slater, on pure dominance and difficulty, is way above the fray. Surfing, given all the variables involved (most of which are outside the participant’s control), is perhaps one of the hardest things on this Earth to master. I grew up in the ocean and have logged countless hours on a surfboard, catching thousands of waves in the process. And still, if I can line up a solid bottom turn I’m feeling pretty good. Slater’s skill, and longevity of dominance, is incomprehensible.
I watched much of the Trestles contest online this week, the whole thing culminating in a final which pitted him against Taj Burrow. Burrow had Slater “comboed” 12 minutes into the heat with scores of 9.00 and 9.63, a hole in most circumstances impossible to climb out of. But the craziest thing was, you almost expected it of Slater that he’d pull it off. And then he went ahead and did, and with not even catching set waves to do it. An unbelievable performance, up there with anything I saw at the Olympics.
If only he rode bonzers.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:31 am
‘If only he rode bonzers.’
He does seem to be one of the few top pros who actually uses slightly different equipment in competition(from my pedestrian perspective).
His board at Lower’s seemed to have large side fins with a smaller trailer and a wide outline. Other than Taylor’s bamboo side fins those are the only variations from the standard that I saw from the webcast. Not even a quad this year.
I would think France would be an ideal wave for a bonzer, Taylor…Mick?
September 16th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
you know what..I’m not sure he is the worlds best athlete..but for Gods sake man..this is one supernatural surfer.
How long has he been dominating..?since 91..?He’s what..36 or more?
in any case..saw the final w/him and taj b..
all respect to taj..but..it
looked to me that Slater completely overpowered him, and the final tally..was not that close.
course i only saw the waves in the video..
loved the almost casual 360 on the last wave.
bottom line;
Slater , and surfers like him..
piss me off.