The biggest question on everyone’s mind surrounding the surfing world has to be, “What is up with Kelly Slater?!” How could a 9-time world champion get 3 17th place finishes in a row? Maybe the surfing world is seeing signs that Kelly Slater is actually human, and more so than that maybe the end of an era. Granted, Teahupoo was not offering bombing 6-10ft surf like many people wish it was but young gun from the Basque country, and WCT’ rookies, Aritz Aranburu upset Kelly Slater in round 2. For the record, Kelly Slater has won one heat in the 2009 WCT’ seasons. Right now Andy Irons has to be kicking himself in the butt wondering why he is not on tour this year. But the real question still remains, why is Kelly slumping so badly?
In the first event of the year Kelly looked almost too cocky working the Gold Coast lines on a 5’6 board similar to the one he won the Pipeline Masters on and then shocked the WCT’ when he tried to ride a little 5’3 and ended up getting upset by local boy Julian Wilson. Slater almost took it for granted he would win or why else would he try something so mind bending? Anyways Kelly was out early and that was only the beginning. Again another young gun and wildcard Owen Wright took down Slater in really good Bells surf in round two leaving Kelly wounded and more importantly another 17th place finish. There were no board tricks in this event; Wright just beat Kelly straight up man to man. This is where we have to start thinking to ourselves; is this the beginning of the end for Kelly Slater on tour? Is he ever going to be able to win magical number 9?
In his post heat interview Kelly examines the options for the future of the year either stepping down and letting this year go or does he try and stay on tour and make up any ground he can? Kelly basically claimed defeat with this statement in the interview, “ Yeah I mean it’s really decision time cause I think with that many 17ths you’re really hard pressed to try and win a world title and even if you had your best year from there on out…” This is seemingly the first time Kelly has ever spoken in such words. The tone seemed light-hearted but if you see the video you can tell he looks disappointed and battered. We will see how this year plays out for Kelly but we very well might be seeing the end of the Kelly Slater era and a new batch of young talent ready to step in.
