Kelly Slater...... a jerk?

[Mohawk918]

So I work at a bank and had a fellow surfer come in. We got on the subject of Slater's wave pool. My buddy immediately spoke of how much of a jerk Kelly is and how he hasn't done anything for the surfing community. He said he was somewhere where a storm had made an area that gets crap waves get amazing breaks. My buddy said he was standing there talking to Kelly and two young kids came up to Kelly and asked for his autograph. Kelly said no no I cant I have to go surf this.
Im just wondering if this is so true about him. What good has he down and what are yalls thoughts. I try not to judge someone, especially off of someone else's words.

[oldmansurfer]

Kelly Slater has given a lot to the surf community. At this stage in life he may feel he has to take care of himself. He's getting old, let him surf.

[oldmansurfer]

I am a fan of Kelly Slater as a surfer but in real life he may not be the best person Oh well life goes on. He did't kick them or anything like that so cut him some slack

[oldgrom22]

I agree it's a jerk move to dis kids asking for an autograph(I mean, how much time does it take to scribble your name on a hat/shirt/board etc for a fan), but like oldman said, you can't deny he's given a lot to the community and we don't really know the whole situation, so I wouldn't be too quick to judge him based off of one story(it does make him look like a dbag though).

[Mohawk918]

yea like I said I didn't want to judge him just was wondering what all he has done. Ive known of him since I was young and I didn't start surfing till about 9 months ago but I knew of him. What good has he down for us surfers? Just wondering thanks.

[oldmansurfer]

I think he has a lot on his mind. Right now Kelly Slater is near the bottom rank in the WSL (tied for 35th). It must weigh on his mind. Injury replacement surfers have higher ranks even Mason Ho who only surfed one WSL CT contest is ranked higher. Kelly Slater brought surfing into the limelight and pushed for changes in surfboard design. I blame him for all the ridiculously short boards that people use now

[Mohawk918]

yea I knew he has brought a lot of different designs into the board shaping world. And now coming out with his own brand line of boards. I also know he started surfing just miles down the road from me. I keep thinking if he can get to where he is from starting where I am then I should be able to progress decently.

[oldmansurfer]

Also because Slater presented to the world as a clean kid he made surfing respectable. It became a sport that wasn't necessarily one of beach bums and rebels but something your mom wouldn't mind....ok maybe your mom would still mind it but someones mom wouldn't mind it. He dominated it so much it became a "real sport". Funny how a kid who from Florida who was scared of bigger waves became a 11 time world champion and winner of the Eddie Aikau big wave event.

[waikikikichan]

So just because he doesn't sign autograph for a kid, Kelly is a Jerk ? I know one of Kelly's main rival did a autograph signing at one of the local surf shop in Waikiki. This girl who was in total love for the surfer, came away saying she now hates him because he didn't even make eyes contact or say anything, just signed a photo and shoved it forward while talking to his buddies to the side.
My take is if the kids came up to Kelly AFTER his session, he would have signed. But before that, he is in the "zone". When a guy about to jump out of a plane, MXer attempt to a double back flip, Drag racer going down a 1/4 mile, Boxer about to get in the ring, even a master chess player entering a tournament get in this zone where they need to keep their focus. When they come back down, then they can chat and sign.
Another thing is if he signs one , he'll end up signing 40-50 signatures and won't get in the water for another hour. ( not to mention the "selfies" ). He was actually being KInd and Fair to everyone. At least he acknowledge the kids and not ignored them like one of Kelly's rivals.

[icetime]

He's a good surfer but is he a nice person, probably, you can't get far in a surfing career if you're not a likeable person, your tricks and flips aren't the only thing that gets you sponsors but respect at the lineup, I've heard good things about him, just because he won't sign a few papers because he isn't in the mood doesn't mean he's a bad guy, I don't look up to him that much though, I'm not really into the whole idea of having a pro surfing idol but I do love shane dorians surfing style and mindset.

[oldmansurfer]

I think the whole idea that a professional athlete (or rock star) needs to be some kind of role model is nonsense. Kelly Slater can surf. To think however because he is a good surfer that everything he does is worth emulating is just freaking crazy. He is a person. A person who can surf incredibly well. He may or may not be a nice person and it really doesn't matter to me. Still because of his public image he has made surfing a more accepted sport. If he was going to be surfing at my break then it might matter to me what kind of person he was.

[pmcaero]

Speaking of anecdotal evidence, a buddy of a buddy of mine was hanging out with Mason Florence in the Galapagos, and he used an endangered turtle as a surfboard cause the waves were firing and then never called her back, what a jerk

[jaffa1949]

Oh just get over the "I have heards" mentality and just go surfing!
There are more important issues than somebodies second hand opinion of any other surfer like this viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26274
Pollution, break rip offs for hotels boat harbours etc just the rubbish people dump on your beach.
Do everything so that you don't fit a jerk category and all will be well!~

[BoMan]

From Kelly Slater's BIO...

This renowned surfer is also a humanitarian and environmentalist. He is not only concerned about marine life, because of his love for the oceans, but also makes efforts to spread awareness regarding suicide prevention. He is associated with the organizations ‘Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’ and ‘Surfers Against Suicide’.

http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/kelly-slater-6142.php

[Big H]

Bad day? Who knows.....I just growled at two people who told me good morning at the same time i was reading a guest complaint email......it happens.

[jaffa1949]

Bad day? Who knows.....I just growled at two people who told me good morning at the same time i was reading a guest complaint email......it happens.

That's two more guest complaints in the inbox

[billie_morini]

Mohawk,
No! I see Kelly Slater around Santa Barbara from time to time at surfing- and nature-related activities (e.g., surf breaks, surf movie nights, live music, community events, save nature events, and other charity events). Your friend is wrong!! Kelly is generous and honorable. He significantly funds more than one charity that benefits this old world of ours. As far as the story about not giving kids an autograph, there are many times when he does give an autograph or make a photo. I've seen this with my own eyes. I also remember one movie night when my neighbor's teenager was star struck upon seeing Kelly. I asked Kelly if he would mind meeting my neighbor's son. Kelly and I do not know each other However, he immediately extended himself to a young fan that was clearly overwhelmed with the opportunity to meet his idol, Kelly.

You asked what good has he done. Here's a short list for organizations he funds.
Hillsides
Kelly Slater Foundation
Life Rolls On Foundation
SurfAid
Wildlife Warriors Worldwide

For Kelly Slater’s historic 10th ASP World Surfing Championship and in recognition of Kelly’s philanthropic nature, the Quiksilver Foundation created a special gift called “10 for TEN.” Quiksilver donated a total sum of $100,000 to benefit 10 non-profit organizations selected by Kelly.

The 10 beneficiaries were:
$10K – Mauli Ola Foundation
$10K – Na Kalai Wa’a Moku O Hawai’i
$10K – Kokua Hawai’i Foundation
$10K – Space Coast Early Intervention Center
$10K – Best Friends Animal Society
$10K – Boys and Girls Club of San Clemente
$10K – Smile Train
$10K – Waves for Water
$10K – LA Surf Bus Foundation
$10K – SurfAid

[Mohawk918]

Mohawk,
No! I see Kelly Slater around Santa Barbara from time to time at surfing- and nature-related activities (e.g., surf breaks, surf movie nights, live music, community events, save nature events, and other charity events). Your friend is wrong!! Kelly is generous and honorable. He significantly funds more than one charity that benefits this old world of ours. As far as the story about not giving kids an autograph, there are many times when he does give an autograph or make a photo. I've seen this with my own eyes. I also remember one movie night when my neighbor's teenager was star struck upon seeing Kelly. I asked Kelly if he would mind meeting my neighbor's son. Kelly and I do not know each other However, he immediately extended himself to a young fan that was clearly overwhelmed with the opportunity to meet his idol, Kelly.

You asked what good has he done. Here's a short list for organizations he funds.
Hillsides
Kelly Slater Foundation
Life Rolls On Foundation
SurfAid
Wildlife Warriors Worldwide

For Kelly Slater’s historic 10th ASP World Surfing Championship and in recognition of Kelly’s philanthropic nature, the Quiksilver Foundation created a special gift called “10 for TEN.” Quiksilver donated a total sum of $100,000 to benefit 10 non-profit organizations selected by Kelly.

The 10 beneficiaries were:
$10K – Mauli Ola Foundation
$10K – Na Kalai Wa’a Moku O Hawai’i
$10K – Kokua Hawai’i Foundation
$10K – Space Coast Early Intervention Center
$10K – Best Friends Animal Society
$10K – Boys and Girls Club of San Clemente
$10K – Smile Train
$10K – Waves for Water
$10K – LA Surf Bus Foundation
$10K – SurfAid

well thank you for this. Next time this guy stops in ill let him know a little info. That's why I asked I didn't want to judge him just by one guys story. I mean you don't stay in the spot light as long as he has by not being a good guy.

[billie_morini]

You are a smart(er) man, Mohawk.