Kelly Slater Wins The 2008 Billabong Pro J-Bay

He’s done it again. Eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) beat reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) today to win the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, earn his 38th ASP World Tour victory and claim the fourth event on the 2008 ASP World Tour.

“I didn’t realize I was going to be overwhelmed by it, but I haven’t been in this position before, at this point of the year, with this many wins,” Slater said. “There are great things going on in my life so I’m just trying to soak it up and be appreciative.”

Surfing his 14th season on the ASP World Tour, Slater is still the only member of the Top 45 to win an event this season. The one tournament Slater lost was won by an event wildcard. He now has a 1262 point lead on World No. 2 Joel Parkinson and is in commanding contention to claim his 9th ASP World Title.

“I’ve put a lot of years in obviously, it’s been my life on so many levels for so long, in a way I was trying to pull back from it, but also I do love it,” Slater said. “I get a lot of enjoyment out of competing because competing really pushes your level. The best performances in the world are on tour.”

Slater beat Fanning 16.73 to 9.40 in the Billabong Pro Final. While conditions early this morning were clean and six foot (two metre), onshore winds made the semifinal and final tricky.

“It was really challenging,” Slater said. “You really have to change your frame of mind because we were looking at waves the other day where we were getting 30-45 second rides and doing six to eight maneuvers and now we’re looking at waves where if you get three moves it’s a good score. It’s really hard to change your perception on how you are going to surf a wave. I didn’t really catch on until the very end of that heat when I realized I could get a three move wave and probably seal it.”

With six events remaining, there is still a possibility the title could be clinched by another surfer on the ASP World Tour roster, but the probability that will happen is small – something Slater’s competition knows all too well.

“I’d like to think I have it the bag but I have to be realistic, it’s early on – we’re not quite half way yet,” Slater said. “We have 11 events this year and this is number five. Last year at this point I was looking at Mick [Fanning] that way. He had a first, a couple seconds and a third so I’d imagine being on the same side of that coin and looking at someone with four firsts and a throwaway is probably tough to look at.”

Only one member of the Top 45, Taylor Knox, is older than Slater. At 36, Slater already owns the title of youngest and oldest ASP World Title winner. He won his last World Title at age 34 in 2006.

“When I was a kid I would never have imagined a guy who is 36 winning four events on tour, let alone having a chance at the world title, so I’m just trying to soak that up,” Slater said.

Fanning was understandably disappointed to lose his second final of the year to Slater – the two met in the final of the first event of the year on the Gold Coast of Australia too.

“I surfed like an idiot,” Fanning said. “I had the opportunity to win the whole thing and I fell and I don’t know why. I don’t know what happened, I just had a shocker. I was feeling great, I just couldn’t stay on my board.”

Fanning, who was hoping to defend his ASP World Title this year can’t help but take a defeatist’s look at the 2008 title race.

“I guess it’s not over ‘till it’s over, but it’s like climbing Everest and he’s halfway up the bloody hill,” Fanning said.

Fanning moved to 4th with his second place result at Jeffreys Bay. He beat last year’s World No. 2 and the defending Billabong Pro Champion Taj Burrow (AUS) in the semifinals. Burrow now sits 5th on the ratings.

“I’m pretty disappointed,” Burrow said. “Mick just wave-ed me to death basically. He picked the absolute best waves and must have surfed them pretty well because he got a 9.00. I got really crap waves and tried my guts out to try to do some turns and throw airs but it was just really choppy and hard. I needed to be more patient really.”

Burrow, like most of his compatriots, shares Fanning’s sentiments on Slater’s victory today.

“Kelly wins another final, enough said, unbelievable.” Burrow said. “The door is really closing as far as I can see it. He’s got a ridiculous amount of keepers now so… how many events left? Not enough!”

Slater beat Parkinson in a close semifinal en route to the final. He stays in 2nd on the leaderboard with the result.

“Conditions really deteriorated but I had my chances but I let one or two waves go that I probably shouldn’t have I could have got my scores on them,” Parkinson said. “It’s hard to tell because you stand up on a wave and it looks like it’s going to be a piece of crap and it turns into a good wave or you stand up on a wave that looks good and it turns into a piece of crap. That’s the nature of the game.”

The next event on the 2008 ASP World Tour remains undisclosed. The “Search” event will be held July 30-August 10, 2008, “Somewhere.”

BILLABONG PRO J-BAY FINAL:
(1st wins $US 30,000; 2nd wins $US 16,000)
Kelly Slater def. Mick Fanning

COMPLETE SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
(1st advances to Final; 2nd finishes =3rd)
Heat 1: Kelly Slater def. Joel Parkinson
Heat 2: Mick Fanning def. Taj Burrow

COMPLETE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
(1st advances to Semifinals; 2nd finishes =5th)
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson def. Bede Durbidge
Heat 2: Kelly Slater def. Adriano de Souza
Heat 3: Mick Fanning def. CJ Hobgood
Heat 4: Taj Burrow def. Andy Irons

For a look at all the heats and photos, visit BILLABONGPRO.COM

Reader Comments 

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 10:13 AM — By jeff d.

Regardless of whether Slats has surfed better than everyone else but Bruno Santos this year (which he pretty much has), from a spectator's perspective, is anyone else bored, and tired of seeing Kelly win? He's great, for sure, but the predictability is putting fans to sleep.

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 10:49 AM — By shawn

Nope. Greatness is never boring. Sure the final three or four events might be pointless as far as the title race is concerned, but Kelly's consistency is amazing to watch, and his surfing is far from boring. Inspiring might be the better word.

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 11:42 AM — By michael Spencer Taylor

Slater was doing 2 session a day before and after the NSSA Nationals.......And blowing up on every wave......You can see the footafe soon in the Road to Saving Trestles, a Surfing Documentary. Info at www.digitalwunderland.com

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 12:31 PM — By Dustin

The man keeps setting the bar. How can that get boring? Like him or hate him, Slater makes surfing what it is and its just going to make all the pro's on tour keep surfing better and better. ***Plus*** who ever does step up in the future to stop him will be the next MJ of surfing..whoever it may be. Thanks, npwsurf.com

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 12:59 PM — By Ross

My first thought after his win was that this is not good for pro surfing; Kelly winning 4 out of 5 of contests renders the remaining events almost pointless and without drama and I say that as somebody that always pulls for him to win. Kelly being world champ is good, but the dominance he's displaying, at 36 no less, to the casual observer might appear to make the sport a joke. That being said, he's simply an amazing athlete and a true joy to watch.

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 1:13 PM — By Frank

I think this is simply amazing for the sport. Like tiger woods to golf, the best thing that has happened in my memory! Tiger forced everyone to step it up and Slater is doing the same. Watching the contest was briliant and his age and health should be an inspiration to everyone. No excuses the man is an animal and a freak and I cannot wait to watch what happens in bali. This is just getting interesting. I hope he truly wins them all and the surfing we get to watch and enjoy is more than worth it.

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 1:16 PM — By Ricky

Only in a sport that is on the outskirts of the mainstream would such dominance be considered bad publicity. I can say with full confidence that there never has been another professional athlete that has remained this good for this long. This isn't a feel good Rocky comeback story. Sl8ter is straight KILLIN' the field. If this was one of the big four sports, his success would be discussed on sports center at nauseum. More so than even Tiger. I'd have to say TB and Dane are my fav's on tour but I wouldn't mind seeing Kelly win every remaining event (that he shows up to, haha). Be grateful that you are witnessing such greatness during your life time because it will never be replicated in our sport or any other for that matter.

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 2:44 PM — By Juan

As somebody who missed Slater's run during his "prime" in the '90s, I feel truly to fortunate to have been given this opportunity to witness his second coming. In my mind he's surpassed Jordan and Tiger etc, as the most dominant athlete we've ever seen.

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 2:56 PM — By Surf Guru

It would only be boring to those fans who truly don't understand how big of an achievement this is. To even be a part of the Top 45 out of thousands of surfers in the world is rare enough. But to dominate a field of the Top 45 best surfers on the planet, at different locations, under different conditions, is just unfathomable. Hands down Kelly is the most dominant athlete of his time.

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 3:54 PM — By Steve A

Slater's positive attitude and willingness to excel at this age is inspiring. If anything, he should be respected more. He did retire for abit off the tour and to come back and dominate is amazing. His round with Adriano at Jeffery's shows us the ridiculous amount of guts he has in committing to each turn and move. I am not one to just march blindly into the sun, but this man is a hero and one in a billion. He deserves the titles, glory, and all the acclaim, period.

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 7:31 PM — By 23 Chips

Slater's flicky-flick turns and credit card airs are tired and old. Wait till The Chips steps up to the tour. 23 Chips

Posted Thu Jul17, 2008, 9:45 PM — By Autochtone

I love the surfer, ever since “Momentum” and “Black and White”, his surfing has always been a reference to me, however today I almost feel sorry for Mr Slater. It feels like dominating the 45s and proving he is still the Alpha surfer is his only will to live (a). He said he doesn't surf for weeks then needs just one bottom turn to set everything back to normal KS... and win a contest? Does that mean if it was not for competing he would not be surfing much?? – Which proves my point (a) and as a result, I'd say it is time to leave the sandpit to the up coming kids. Mr Slater already is and will always remain the best of all times; everybody got it by now! So how about passing the title around, having others feel the thrill of being on top of the world. Getting a life after 8 world titles, that is the real "Letting Go".

Posted Fri Jul18, 2008, 2:40 AM — By Lee

SORRY.....The ASP is not a "communist nation." They will never wish or will Slates to lose simply for the collective good of the rest of the top 45 who can't step it up. Fact of the matter is that Slates has been the best surfer on the planet in his class since he first stepped on a board. I remember seeing him do backside 360's INSIDE tubes in Macking Hatteras when he was around 9 years old. Only the best of the best dominate their arena. I hope he gets 5 more before he retires.

Posted Fri Jul18, 2008, 11:22 AM — By Frank

u guys are WAK!! not good for pro surfing? PLEASE.Its the BEST thing for pro surfing.As long as Kelly is around and winning, the sport has a legit superstar in the US that non-surfers can relate too. He won a measly 30k for each contest this year.Thats 120K for 4 Intl.wins.You couldnt get a PGA pro to show up at an event if that was the prize $.Hopefully his continued dominance and pressence will escalate the sport financially and continue to grow. If Kelly retired today the sport in the US would decline financially.1ST..he won't win every event. But he will win his 10th title next year.What a way to go out.The Pipe masters is still on the horizen this year as well as a couple other GREAT venues. Whether Kelly does or dosn't win will make those events worth watching and very entertaining regardless of his total dominance.Why would anyone "LET GO" in his state. Competition fuels his ego. Thats what ALL atheletes are about.Competition and winning!Like Dale Earnhardt Sr said. 2ND place is just

Posted Fri Jul18, 2008, 5:01 PM — By Michael Spencer Taylor

Slater was posted at lowers surfing 2 sessions a day.......Before and after the NSSA Nationls if you were there and witnessed his surfing you would have bet on Slater to win........ The road to saving Trestles is a Documentary the folks at www.digitalwunderland.com have been working on for 3 years now..... Slaters surfing wil be in the movie from the June sessions...

Posted Sun Jul20, 2008, 1:27 AM — By Dakoda Taylor AKA DROCK 14 Laguna Beach...

From the end comment from Ricky on 7-16-2008 about Slater being the only one in Sports (history) to win that many titles..... Bill Beaker Bryan is a 14 time SkimBoard World Champion........ Soon this year to make it 15 www.skimonline.com

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