Kelly Slater

Kelly Slater
Personal information
Born (1972-02-11) February 11, 1972
Cocoa Beach, Florida, U.S.
Residence California and Hawaii
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight 160 lb (73 kg)
Surfing career
Years active 1990–present
Best year Ranked 1st on the World Surf League: 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011
Career earnings $3,500,705 (as of 2013)[1]
Surfing specifications
Favorite waves Kirra and Pipeline
Favorite maneuvers Barrels
Website kellyslater.com

Robert Kelly Slater (born February 11, 1972) is an American professional surfer known for his competitive prowess and style. He has been crowned World Surf League Champion a record 11 times, including 5 consecutive titles in 1994–98. He is the youngest (at age 20) and the oldest (at age 39) to win the title. Upon winning his 5th world title in 1997, Slater passed Australian surfer Mark Richards to become the most successful champion in the history of the sport. In 2007 he also became the all-time leader in career event wins by winning the Boost Mobile Pro event at Lower Trestles near San Clemente, California. The previous record was held by Slater's childhood hero, three-time world champion Tom Curren.[2]

After earlier being awarded the title prematurely as a result of a miscalculation by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), on November 6, 2011 Slater officially won his eleventh ASP world title at the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco, by winning his 4th round heat.

In May 2005, in the final heat of the Billabong Tahiti Pro contest at Teahupo'o, Slater became the first surfer ever to be awarded two perfect scores for a total 20 out of 20 points under the ASP two-wave scoring system (the corresponding honor under the previous three-wave system belongs to fellow American Shane Beschen who achieved the feat in 1996). He did it again on June 2013 at the quarter finals at the Volcom Fiji Pro with two perfect ten waves, only the fourth person in history to do so.[3] Since 1990, Slater had been sponsored primarily by surfwear industry giant Quiksilver until his recent departure on April 1, 2014 to collaborate with fashion brand conglomerate Kering .[4]

He exclusively rides Channel Islands surfboards equipped with his own signature series of FCS fin masons. As of 2015, Slater has been seen riding unlabelled Firewire surf boards.

Biography

Early life and family

Kelly Slater with fellow pro surfers Rob Machado and Christiaan Bailey

Slater was born on February 11, 1972 in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where he continues to reside. He is the son of Judy (Moriarity) and Stephen Slater,[5] and has Syrian (from a great-grandfather) and Irish ancestry.[6] He has an older brother, Sean, and a younger brother, Stephen. He has a teenage daughter named Taylor.

In his spare time Slater enjoys playing the guitar, composing sonnets, and spending quality time with longtime girlfriend Kalani Miller, who often travels and supports him on the ASP World Tour. Kelly also loves spending time with his lifelong friend Derek "shorebreak" Johnson, of Delray Beach notoriety. Some of his favorite surf spots include Mondos in Ventura, California, Pipeline in Hawaii, Kirra in Australia, Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, Minis in Ireland, Taghazout in Morocco, Soup Bowls in Barbados, and Sebastian Inlet near his home in Florida.[7] He is also an avid golfer, with a +2 handicap. Slater is also interested in the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is a blue belt.[8] Some of his surfing inspirations are Andy Irons, Shane Dorian, Josh Kerr, Drew Phelps, Weston Dunlap, Taylor Lobdell, David Goldberg, Andrew Bloom, Charles Webster Baer, Alex Siddiqui, and Dane Reynolds.[9]

Other projects

Slater played the recurring character Jimmy Slade on twenty-seven episodes of the popular TV show Baywatch in the early 1990s.[10] He appeared in an episode of the reality show The Girls Next Door, and has starred in many surf films during his career.

In the late 1990s Slater, with friends and fellow pro surfers Rob Machado and Peter King, formed a band called The Surfers. The trio released an album in 1998 titled Songs from the Pipe, a reference to the famous surf spot Pipeline on Oahu, Hawaii. Kelly toured Australia with his band, performing in venues such as the Opera House and parliament house. He was given an honorary membership to the Rickson Cricket Club in northwest Sydney.

Slater performed a song with Ben Harper during Harper's concert in Santa Barbara on August 1, 2006. He also performed Rockin' in the Free World with grunge band Pearl Jam on July 7, 2006 in San Diego. In 1999, he appeared alongside Garbage singer Shirley Manson in the promotional video for the band's single "You Look So Fine". He played a man washed up on a seashore, then rescued by Manson.

A video game named Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer by Treyarch and published by Activision was released in 2002. Slater also appeared as a playable character in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 prior to this, complete with a surfboard.

In 2003 Slater released his autobiography, Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey. In 2008 he released a second book with Phil Jarratt, entitled Kelly Slater: For the Love.

In addition to the ASP tour, Slater competed in the X-Games in 2003 and 2004.

Slater is a fundraiser and spokesperson for suicide prevention awareness. He has surfed in celebrity events for Surfers Against Suicide, telling sports website 'Athletes Talk': "I’ve lost a couple of friends myself to suicide and it’s just a horrible thing that can be prevented. People get in this dark place and they don’t know what to do so it’s always nice to see a non-profit that isn’t turning into anything else other than just trying to help people."[11]

Slater is also an accomplished golfer and guitarist, and in 2006, he played live in San Diego, California with Pearl Jam.[12]

Slater is passionate about preserving oceans globally and protecting temperate reefs in California through his relationship with Reef Check.

On May 8, 2010 the United States House of Representatives honored Slater in H. Res. 792 for his "outstanding and unprecedented achievements in the world of surfing and for being an ambassador of the sport and excellent role model."[13] This resolution, sponsored by Florida representative Bill Posey and sponsored by 10 representatives, passed without objection by a voice vote.[14]

Slater is on the Board of Advisors (the Ocean Advocacy Advisory Board) of ocean conservation organization Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.[15]

Surfing statistics

Slater surfing in the Boost Mobile Pro at Trestles

On September 15, 2007, Kelly Slater passed Tom Curren's longstanding WCT tour victory record of 33 with his win at the Boost Mobile Pro at Lowers Trestles.

2013 Stats and results

World ranking: 2nd
Points: 54,150

Event results in 2013[16] Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia): 1st
Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia): 13th
Volcom Fiji Pro (Tavarua/Namotu, Fiji): 1st
Oakley Pro Bali (Keramas, Bali, Indonesia): 9th
Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Taiarapu, French Polynesia): 2nd

Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 1st

He also won many other surfing titles.

2012 Stats and results

World ranking: 2nd
Points: 55,450

Event results in 2012[17]
Quiksilver Pro presented by Land Rover(Gold Coast, Snapper Rocks, Australia): 5th
Rip Curl Pro presented by Ford Ranger(Bells Beach,Victoria, Australia): 2nd
Billabong Rio Pro (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): INJ
Volcom Fiji Pro (Tavarua/Namotu, Fiji): 1st
Billabong Pro Tahiti (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 13th
Hurley Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California): 1st
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor-Landes, France):1st
Rip Curl Pro (Peniche, Portugal): 13th
O'Neill Coldwater Classic Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, California): 9th
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 3rd

2011 Stats and results

World ranking: 2011 Champion
Points: 68,100

Event results in 2011[18]
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 1st
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, (Victoria, Australia): 5th
Billabong Rio Pro (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): 13th
Nike Pro US Open (Huntington Beach, California, US): 1st
Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 1st
Quiksilver Pro New York (Long Beach, New York, US): 2nd
Hurley Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California, US): 1st
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 5th
Rip Curl Pro Portugal (Peniche, Portugal): 2nd
Rip Curl Search (Ocean Beach, San Francisco, US): 5th
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 3rd

2010 Stats and results

World ranking: 2010 Champion
Points: 69000

Event results in 2010[19]
Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 9th
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach (Australia): 1st
Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil): 2nd
Billabong Pro (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa): 17th
Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 3rd
Hurley Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California): 1st
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 2nd
Rip Curl Pro Portugal (Peniche, Portugal): 1st
Rip Curl Pro Search 2010 (Middles Beach, Isabela, Puerto Rico): 1st
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 3rd

2009 Stats and results

World ranking: 6th.
Points: 6136

Event results in 2009[20]
Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 17th
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach (Australia): 17th
Billabong Pro, Tahiti (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 17th
Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil): 1st
Billabong Pro (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa): 9th
Hurley Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California): 3rd
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 5th
Billabong Pro, Mundaka (Mundaka, Spain): 3rd
Rip Curl Search (Peniche, Portugal): 17th
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 2nd

2008 Stats and results

World ranking: 2008 Champion
Points: 8832

Event results
Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 1st
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach (Australia): 1st
Billabong Pro, Tahiti (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 17th
Globe Pro, Fiji (Tavarua, Fiji): 1st
Billabong Pro, J-Bay (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa): 1st
Rip Curl Search (Bali, Indonesia): 17th
Boost Mobile Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California): 1st
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 2nd
Billabong Pro, Mundaka (Mundaka, Spain): 9th
Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil): DNS
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 1st

History of wins

2016

2014

2013

2012

2011

Slater competing at the US Open at Huntington Beach (2011).

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

1990

Filmography

Films

"Surfers – The Movie" (1990)
"Kelly Slater in Black and White" (1991)
"Momentum 1" (1992)
"Focus" (1994)
"Endless Summer II" (1994)
"Factory Seconds" (1995)
"Momentum 2" (1996)
"Good Times" (1996)
"Kelly Slater In Kolor" (1997)
"The Show" (1997)
"Loose Change" (1999)
"Hit & Run" (2000)
"Thicker than Water" (2000)
"One Night at McCool's" (2001)
"September Sessions" (2002)
"Step into Liquid" (2003)
"Campaign 1" (2003)
"Riding Giants" (2004)
"Doped Youth" 'Groovy Avalon' (2004)
"Young Guns 1, 2 & 3" (2004–2008)
"Campaign 2" (2005)
"Burn" (2005)
"Letting Go" (2006)
"Surf's Up" (2007)
"Down the Barrel" (2007)
"Bra Boys: Blood is Thicker than Water" (2007)
"Bustin' Down the Door" (2008)
"One Track Mind" (2008)
"Kelly Slater Letting Go" (2008)
"Waveriders" (2008)
"The Ocean" (2008)
"A Fly in the Champagne" (2009) (featuring Kelly Slater and Andy Irons)
"Cloud 9" (2009)
"Keep Surfing" (2009)
"Ultimate Wave Tahiti" (2010)
"Fighting Fear" (2011)
"Wave Warriors 3"

Cameo appearances

"Surf's Up" (2007)

Television

Baywatch, 27 episodes (1992-1996)

The Girls Next Door, "Surf's Up" 1 episode

Bibliography

References

  1. ASP Men’s World Ranking ¦ ASP World Tour – The Association of Surfing Professionals. ASP World Tour. Retrieved on 2011-08-16.
  2. Sports Illustrated, September 24, 2007, p. 24
  3. Lukach, Mark (June 12, 2013). "Kelly Slater Gets a Perfect Surfing Score". U.S. News. The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  4. "Quiksilver Rider's Gallery". Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  5. http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kelly-slater/bio/249867
  6. http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/Dudes--Mellow-.html
  7. Grossman, Hillard (2002-05-26). "Brevard's own Kelly Slater: Surfing Superman, regular guy". Florida Today. Archived from the original on July 1, 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-07.
  8. http://www.theinertia.com/surf/kelly-slater-and-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-the-fighting-spirit/
  9. ASP North America. ASP North America. Retrieved on December 20, 2012.
  10. baywatch database: actors: Kelly Slater. Baywatchun.tripod.com (1972-11-02). Retrieved on 2011-08-16.
  11. Surfing Life's Killer Wave - Kelly Slater chats with www.athletestalk.com Athletes Talk - April 14, 2013
  12. http://extramustard.si.com/2013/02/11/17-things-you-didnt-know-about-kelly-slater-who-turns-41-today/
  13. "Dems, Repubs Toss Aside Differences to Honor Surfer". GamePolitics.com. 2010-06-03. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  14. Govtrack.us (2010-05-19). "H. Res. 792". Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  15. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (2012). "Ocean Advocacy Advisory Board". Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  16. http://www.aspworldtour.com/athletes/553/kelly-slater
  17. Schedule | ASP World Tour – The Association of Surfing Professionals. ASP World Tour (2012-03-04). Retrieved on 2012-03-04.
  18. Schedule | ASP World Tour – The Association of Surfing Professionals. ASP World Tour (2011-03-09). Retrieved on 2011-08-16.
  19. Archived World Tour Rankings and Results | ASP World Tour – The Association of Surfing Professionals. ASP World Tour. Retrieved on 2011-08-16.
  20. . ASP World Tour 2009

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kelly Slater.
Preceded by
Damien Hardman
World surfing champion (Men)
1992 ...
Succeeded by
Derek Ho
Preceded by
Derek Ho
World surfing champion (Men)
1994–1998
Succeeded by
Mark Occhilupo
Preceded by
Andy Irons
World surfing champion (Men)
2005–2006
Succeeded by
Mick Fanning
Preceded by
Mick Fanning
World surfing champion (Men)
2008
Succeeded by
Mick Fanning
Preceded by
Mick Fanning
World surfing champion (Men)
2010–2011
Succeeded by
Joel Parkinson
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, May 07, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.