Arab Americans

Kelly Slater

Robert Kelly Slater (born February 11, 1972) is an American professional surfer known for his competitive prowess and style. He has been crowned ASP World Tour 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.

Biography

Early life and family

 Kelly Slater with fellow pro surfersRob 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] He has a teenage daughter named Taylor, and has Syrian (from a great-grandfather) and Irish ancestry.^[6] He has an older brother, Sean, and a younger brother, Stephen.^{[citation needed]}

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, Charlie Brockwell, the kook of Delray Beach. 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, Ian Michaelson (music producer of San Luis Obispo, California), Drew Phelps, Taylor Lobdell, Joseph Neves, Hunter Collins, Andrew Bloom, Ken Wells, Stuart Lanning, Jr., Jill Anjuli Hansen, Charles Webster Baer, and Dane Reynolds.^[9]

Other projects

Slater played the recurring character Jimmy Slade on eight 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 titledSongs 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 bandPearl 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 played live in San Diego, California with Pearl Jam.^[12] He also has an interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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

 Slater at Trestles, San Clemente State Beach,California

• World titles: 11
• World championship tour (WCT) surfing victories: 54

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

2014

• Volcom Pipe Pro (Pipeline, Hawaii) – QS 5-Stars

2013

• Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia) – WT
• Volcom Fiji Pro (Tavarua/Namotu, Fiji) – WT
• Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Hawaii) – WT

2012

• Volcom Fiji Pro (Tavarua, Fiji) – WT
• Hurley Pro (Trestles, California) – WT
• Quiksilver Pro France (South West Coast, France) – WT

2011

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

• Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia) – WT
• Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Tahiti) – WT
• Hurley Pro (Trestles, California) – WT
• Nike US Open of Surfing (Huntington Beach, California) – QS Prime

2010

• Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia) – WT
• Hurley Pro (Trestles, California) – WT
• Rip Curl Pro (Peniche, Portugal) – WT
• Rip Curl Search (Middles, Isabela, Puerto Rico) – WT

2009

• Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil) – WT

2008

• Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia) – WT
• Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia) – WT
• Globe Pro (Tavarua, Fiji) – WT
• Billabong Pro (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa) – WT
• Boost Mobile Pro (Trestles, California) – WT
• Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Hawaii) – WT

2007

• Boost Mobile Pro (Trestles, California) – WT

2006

• Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia) – WT
• Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia) – WT

2005

• Billabong Pro (Teahupoo, Tahiti) – WT
• Globe Pro Fiji (Tavarua, Fiji) – WT
• Billabong Pro (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa) – WT
• Boost Mobile Pro (Trestles, California) – WT

2004

• Snickers Australian Open – QS
• Energy Australia Open – QS

2003

• Billabong Pro (Teahupoo, Tahiti) – WT
• Billabong Pro (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa) – WT
• Billabong Pro (Mundaka, Spain) – WT
• Nova Schin Festival (Santa Catarina, Brazil) – WT

2002

• Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau (Specialty-Hawaii)

2000

• Gotcha Pro Tahiti (Teahupoo, Tahiti) – WT

1999

• Mountain Dew Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Hawaii) – WT

1998

• Billabong Pro (Gold Coast, Australia) – WT
• Triple Crown of Surfing (Specialty-Hawaii)

1997

• Coke Surf Classic (Manly Beach, Australia) – QS 6-Stars
• Billabong Pro (Gold Coast, Australia) – WT
• Tokushima Pro (Tokushima, Japan) – WT
• Marui Pro (Chiba, Japan) – WT
• Kaiser Summer Surf (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) – WT
• Grand Slam (Specialty-Australia)
• Typhoon Lagoon Surf Challenge (Specialty-US)

1996

• Coke Surf Classic (Narrabeen, Australia)
• Rip Curl Pro Saint Leu (Saint Leu, Reunion Island)
• CSI presents Billabong Pro (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa)
• U.S. Open of Surfing (Huntington Beach, California)
• Rip Curl Pro Hossegor (Hossegor, France)
• Quiksilver Surfmasters (Biarritz, France)
• Chiemsee Gerry Lopez Pipe Masters (Pipeline, Hawaii)
• Sud Ouest Trophee (Specialty-France)
• Da Hui Backdoor Shootout (Specialty-Hawaii)

1995

• Quiksilver Pro (Grajagan, Indonesia)
• Chiemsee Pipe Masters (Pipeline, Hawaii)
• Triple Crown of Surfing (Specialty-Hawaii)

1994

• Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia)
• Gotcha Lacanau Pro (Lacanau, France)
• Chiemsee Gerry Lopez Pipe Masters (Pipeline, Hawaii)
• Bud Surf Tour Seaside Reef (WQS-US)
• Bud Surf Tour Huntington (WQS-US)
• Sud Ouest Trophee (Specialty-France)

1993

• Marui Pro (Chiba, Japan)

1992

• Rip Curl Pro Landes (Hossegor, France)
• Marui Pipe Masters (Pipeline, Hawaii)

1990

• Body Glove Surfbout (Trestles, California)

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” (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, 10 episodes

The Girls Next Door, “Surf’s Up” 1 episode

Bibliography

• Pipe Dreams: A Surfer’s Journey (2003) ISBN 0-06-009629-2
• Kelly Slater: For the Love (2008) ISBN 0-8118-6222-4

References