Kelly Slater performance

[BaNZ]

I've never even heard of the guy until I really got into surfing this year. The last few competition that I watched online like the Margaret river and the current ASP. How is he a world champion for 11 times when he doesn't even make it to the finals or gets eliminated in the first heat? Is the age thing really taking a toll on him or he just isn't performing well.

[kitesurfer]

http://www.aspworldtour.com/posts/44636 ... ng-rio-pro

I wish i could do this on my first wave of the day at the age of 42. Try also watching the pipe masters from last year where he thrashed everyone and last years fiji pro and ermmm god knows how many other comps too.
I wouldn't write him off yet for this years title. He should have won last years but the judging on fannings waves to get him through to the rounds he needed to at pipe to secure the title was decidely dodgy.
KS

[oldmansurfer]

How ever poorly you think Slater is doing this year prior to this current contest in Fiji where he was eliminated in the round prior to the quarterfinals he was ranked number 1 in the world. Every year he is up there among the top ranked surfers. If you watch him surf he obviously has some incredible skills and knowledge of how to compete in contests. He is a multimillionaire just from contest winnings and has made more than $70,000 this year so far. He is getting old and he has some injuries that plague him in contests and is the oldest surfer competing for the world title. Apparently he is also suffering a little from going on his own this year. He decided to drop his sponsors so he could pursue his own line of stuff and it affects his confidence. Overall my impression is that his injuries are the biggest thing. He has a hip and lower back injury that bother him.

[oldmansurfer]

Oh wait it was the quarterfinals where he was eliminated

[oldmansurfer]

To say that Slater's skill is dropping off also discounts the other surfers who are increasing their skill. Slater used to be the best because there was no one else like him except maybe Andy Irons but these days there are more and more surfers approaching his skill level.

[nottyR6]

Slater is still a stand out, it just hasnt worked for him so far. Fiji the waves just didnt come, I definitely know that feeling. Maybe that is part of it, he isnt as hungry for the right waves I dont know but the guy has still definitely got it. I love to hate Medina but he was a class above though...

[oldmansurfer]

I like watching Medina surf ...this year anyway. Last year I kept watching him thinking he was going to do something but he didn't excel (very often) and that is the way I have felt about John John this year waiting for him to blow my mind. There are surfers like Parko and Fanning who are really great surfers but they are like machines doing the same thing. If you watch Slater (or Medina) you never know what he is going to do. John John Florence is like that too only he apparently doesn't have the heat winning skills of Slater or Medina (my guess). Slater is still awesome.