February 6, 20223 yr The most historic win in surfing history without question. Beat Seth Moniz who is less than half his age. Un-freaking-real
February 6, 20223 yr 4 minutes ago, veritas aequitas said: Well he did have Gisele before Brady so there must be something to that We should all drink from that fountain of youth.
February 6, 20223 yr Author I’m 5 years older than he is, and I creak when I get out of a chair. He’s competing in one of the most physically demanding sports there is. And winning its version of the Super Bowl. To me one of the greatest sports achievements ever. It sounds like hyperbole, but not really.
February 6, 20223 yr Author 1 hour ago, Hook1997 said: That’s pretty awesome, I didn’t even know he competed still. Very selectively. But this is his touchstone event. A good doc, and worth the watch whether you’re into surfing or not, is “Momentum Generation.” That historic Pipe Masters where he beat Machado was in fucking ‘95. It’s 2022. Mind boggling.
February 6, 20223 yr One of the most surreal moments of my life was sitting in Al Merricks living room, and there's pictures on the end table of him and Kelly Slater just chilling like you would have with whatever family friends.
February 6, 20223 yr 13 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said: Where did @Steel Shank place? Didn't compete, but I did "open" the competition with ceremonial "laying of the first pipe". Afterwards, I enjoyed the competition with a cold beverage, under an umbrella with a young female friend of mine.
February 6, 20223 yr 4 minutes ago, Steel Shank said: Didn't compete, but I did "open" the competition with ceremonial "laying of the first pipe". Afterwards, I enjoyed the competition with a cold beverage, under an umbrella with a young female friend of mine. I get it. Like Jack getting to tee off first at the masters.
February 6, 20223 yr 12 hours ago, Sbbruin said: I’m 5 years older than he is, and I creak when I get out of a chair. He’s competing in one of the most physically demanding sports there is. And winning its version of the Super Bowl. To me one of the greatest sports achievements ever. It sounds like hyperbole, but not really. I’m a year younger than him, and getting up on a long board 5 years ago damn near killed me. The only person who dominates an individual sport at a similar level is maybe Serena Williams, and she’s starting to show her age, skill wise.
February 6, 20223 yr 1 minute ago, Pato del Muerto said: I get it. Like Jack getting to tee off first at the masters. Yes indeed.
February 7, 20223 yr One of the most surreal moments of my life was sitting in Al Merricks living room, and there's pictures on the end table of him and Kelly Slater just chilling like you would have with whatever family friends.How did you end up at Al merricks house?Very impressive by slater
February 7, 20223 yr On 2/5/2022 at 7:26 PM, Sbbruin said: I’m 5 years older than he is, and I creak when I get out of a chair. He’s competing in one of the most physically demanding sports there is. And winning its version of the Super Bowl. To me one of the greatest sports achievements ever. It sounds like hyperbole, but not really. Only thing that comes close is mickelson winning a major at 50. And that's not really very close.
February 7, 20223 yr 2 minutes ago, pops said: Only thing that comes close is mickelson winning a major at 50. And that's not really very close. Gordie Howe would like a word. As would Tom Brady. I'm guessing LeBron might enter this convo in a few years.
February 7, 20223 yr 4 minutes ago, ztejas said: Gordie Howe would like a word. As would Tom Brady. I'm guessing LeBron might enter this convo in a few years. Guess I'm looking at team sport vs individual.
February 7, 20223 yr 6 minutes ago, pops said: Guess I'm looking at team sport vs individual. Either way I don't think this is some crazy thing without parallel. It's impressive but surfing is a really niche sport so it's hard to evaluate imo. You say Mickelson winning the PGA at 50 isn't close but I think it's probably pretty comparable. Mickelson isn't going to win another event on tour and that was just his 3rd win since 2013.
February 7, 20223 yr 10 minutes ago, ztejas said: Either way I don't think this is some crazy thing without parallel. It's impressive but surfing is a really niche sport so it's hard to evaluate imo. You say Mickelson winning the PGA at 50 isn't close but I think it's probably pretty comparable. Mickelson isn't going to win another event on tour and that was just his 3rd win since 2013. I think in their respective sports it's close... maybe even equal, but surfing at a top level at 50 just seems much more difficult that golfing at a top level at 50. But I've never surfed and will admit I have no idea.
February 7, 20223 yr 12 minutes ago, pops said: I think in their respective sports it's close... maybe even equal, but surfing at a top level at 50 just seems much more difficult that golfing at a top level at 50. But I've never surfed and will admit I have no idea. Athletically I'm sure surfing is way harder and from that standpoint it's probably more impressive for Slater. It's just less competitive. It looks like there are 32 guys that competed in the event Slater just won. And it's a tennis-like 1 v 1 bracket. There weren't 140 guys trying to win on equal footing. Kelly won 80 grand for his placing. Mickelson took home 2.2M.
February 7, 20223 yr 7 hours ago, Updawg said: How did you end up at Al merricks house? Very impressive by slater So my boss at the time was Al's best friend growing up. He actually got me hooked up where I would take care of Al's boat in exchange for surfboards. And to be honest the most surreal thing was he was this die hard fly fisher, so every time my 20 something self, who thought of him as this surf God, would be by, he would be in his study with these grandpa glasses and a sweater on tying flies and talking about his place in Idaho to the backdrop of all these pictures of Slater and whoever at Sunset and Pipe. 5 hours ago, ztejas said: . It's just less competitive. It looks like there are 32 guys that competed in the event Slater just won. And it's a tennis-like 1 v 1 bracket. There weren't 140 guys trying to win on equal footing. That's incorrect. There hundreds of people who would/could compete, the entry field is just that selective. Without getting in the weeds of how the tour works, it's equivalent of taking the top 20 or so golfers and a few wildcards and only allowing them to play the Masters. It's no less competitive it just eliminates the chaff.
February 7, 20223 yr 5 hours ago, 0xdeadbeef said: Video queued up to Slater's last wave in the finals.
February 7, 20223 yr Author 5 hours ago, G650 said: That's incorrect. There hundreds of people who would/could compete, the entry field is just that selective. Without getting in the weeds of how the tour works, it's equivalent of taking the top 20 or so golfers and a few wildcards and only allowing them to play the Masters. It's no less competitive it just eliminates the chaff. Yeah, there is definitely some subjectivity to it, but it is the best of the best. No one fall bass ackwards into a title. But his experience there is invaluable. knowing which waves to take off on and which to let go is half the battle. But I do think it is one of the great sports achievements for the age of all time.
February 7, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, Sbbruin said: Yeah, there is definitely some subjectivity to it, but it is the best of the best. No one fall bass ackwards into a title. But his experience there is invaluable. knowing which waves to take off on and which to let go is half the battle. But I do think it is one of the great sports achievements for the age of all time. That was a huge part of the finals. There were only a few minutes left when the kid caught his first good wave. Not that there weren't a lot of decent looking waves, he just let them pass. He reminded me of some of my surfer friends back in the day... They'd smoke weed before going out and then just sit out in the lineup....no urgency at all. I went the other way and tanked up on Mt. Dew (caffeine). If energy drinks had been a thing back then, I coulda been a contender.
February 7, 20223 yr My buddy and his wife were in O'ahu last week and just happened to be in the area and decided to stop and watch the round of 32. He had no idea of who Kelly Slater even was, I wouldn't have either for that matter, but he got some good pics.
February 10, 20223 yr There’s a WSL thread on here somewhere. I have the channel on 24/7 when we’re in Maui for Spring Break. It’s strangely soothing despite the intensity the guys put in to each run. This is really impressive. I can’t recall him even sniffing the finals in the last 10 years or so. I thought his continued competition at his age was to promote his man made wave project. Good for him and the sport.
February 10, 20223 yr I’ve met Kelly a few times in CCB when I was stationed there. Great dude. Even cooler when you’re out in the lineup and he’s surfing with ya just chilling
February 10, 20223 yr here's the vid of the final. bookmarked at his interview. interesting what he said about "hating lots of it". he should retire for good. he didn't have anything to prove before. he has nothing to prove now.
August 18, 20223 yr Author Tahiti Open. Slater surfing now. May be his last competition. 50 and still bringing it.https://youtu.be/qtEAEZk00Ic
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