FEBRUARY ISSUE 2009 SURFING MAGAZINE

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FOREWARD
By Evan Slater

As a surf media dude for well over a decade now, I feel privileged to have covered Kelly Slater’s last seven world titles. From his high-five at Pipe to a recent surprise K9 barbecue in LA, I’ve been there, figuring out new ways to describe the most gifted athlete to ever set foot on a surfboard. And while it’s always fun to witness his evolution as a competitor (in 2006 we declared him even greater than The Greatest), it’s even more remarkable to witness his evolution as a human being.

Why? Because as he dismantled the favorites at Snapper and pulled out the impossible heat-winner at Bells this year, he was also planning an event in San Clemente that raised more than $350,000 for worthy causes liking saving Trestles from an unsightly toll road. As he scored a perfect 10 in Fiji en-route to his third victory of the season, a group of philanthropists donated to his “10s for Kids Program,” designed to help special needs children in Melbourne Beach. And as he mounted one of the most convincing title campaigns with his old friend, J-Bay, he took the time to publicly speak out on the impending U.S. election and encourage everyone to vote.

Kelly’s won titles for many reasons over the years – to usher in the “New School,” to break MR’s record, to prove he’s still got it and to seal his legacy as the best there ever was. But the more prizemoney he collects, the more he realizes it’s worthless if it isn’t helping those in need. The more glory he accumulates, the more he realizes it’s pointless if he isn’t sharing it with someone he loves. And the more titles he racks up, the more he realizes there are even greater causes he can champion. At this point in his life, it doesn’t matter if he has nine or 900 world titles. He is no longer winning because he must, but because he can. Big difference.

Slater could have gone a million different directions because of his unparalleled success (I’m afraid most of us would be living on the Neverland Ranch and wearing one sequin glove had we walked in his shoes for the past 20 years). But instead of going all Scientology on us, Slater’s chosen to fine-tune his worldview in the same way he’s fine-tuned his surfing – fluid, open-minded and always for the greater good. It’s a valuable lesson for any of us who are trying to achieve just a hint of what Slater has accomplished in his life. As he’s proven, winning doesn’t necessarily make you happy. But when you’re happy, you win.

Reader Comments 

Posted Fri Dec26, 2008, 2:11 PM — By charles webster baer

will there come a point in time when the surf media is something other than a fashion show / slater promo ?

Posted Mon Dec29, 2008, 12:42 PM — By Mo

Loved reading "Like A Girl" Thank you for the girl power attention. Sooo, which one gets to be the first cover girl for Surfing Mag?

Posted Tue Jan 6, 2009, 11:36 AM — By Terry

Dear surfing brothers and sisters, Regarding the ocean and spirituality (May, 2008), since the ocean is one of God’s greatest creations, it is natural to feel close, yet respectful, to Him when in its presence. It is also natural for us to wonder who God really is, as with all cultures, from the most technically advanced to the most primitive, all have some type of belief system for how and why we are here. As I read the testimonies of “Seven of Our Favorite Surfers” (July, 2008 page 134), a common theme appeared: there is a God, I can communicate with him directly, and there is a better place we go to after death. Please do not let the negative actions of people claiming to be believers discourage you from seeking a relationship with the Son of God. Just as with our surfing brethren, there are those who follow surf etiquette and those who -although fully understanding the etiquette- steal your wave.

Posted Wed Jan21, 2009, 10:02 AM — By Sal Abbamonte

While reading the Feb '09 issue the question posed was about surfing in the "old world", and hoping for a "Euro" letter. Well as I sit and write this it is a balmy 18 degrees F. here on Long Island, and I can't help but to wax poetic about my own surfing moments. Although I've never surfed anywhere but home (save for some body surfing in the Keys) I thought, " well I'm old", and I had a "Euro" moment a few summers back so I figured I'd share. For the record, do to the ridiculous over developing of the south shore of LI many of the best breaks are in less than legal places! So one morning, at one of these less than legal locals, I was sitting on my board waiting for the tide to switch. It quiet and peaceful, that is until this gaggle(that's right I used the word gaggle) of guys come piling out of the house adjacent to where I am. From the distance I couldn't make out what they were saying, the only thing I knew was their voices were loud

Posted Wed Jan21, 2009, 10:21 AM — By Sal Abbamonte

-er than their neon colored wetsuits! Within minutes I was encircled by this mob, as it turned out, the reason I could not understand what they were saying was because they were not speaking english. I would later find out they were from Estonia, and all could speak "good " english. So let me paint this picture for you, there is them: Neon colored wet suits on these mini sport car auto-bahn tested looking boards, and me board shorts on a 9+' Greg Noll that I recut and glassed myself (I pulled the board out of a post yard sale trash pile, but that is a story for another time). Suffice it to say I was the topic their bantering for awhile. After several minutes of trying to communicate with them using the age old methods of hand gestures and speaking slow and very load, and getting tired of feeling as though I was the butt of some international joke I turned to catch the next available wave. As I got back to the beach from behind me I here some one shout to me in nearly perfect english. (see

Posted Wed Jan21, 2009, 10:52 AM — By Sal Abbamonte

followed by laughter. As it turned out, I was the butt of a international joke! After a few minutes I found myself laughing with them, and paddling back out. When I got back out to the line up they apologized for being rude(obviously un aware of the being rude stamdards here in NY), and began questioning me about my board and the fact that I'm goofy footed. As the morning wore on the sets eventually flattened out, and we all headed back in to shore. "Now we drink!" was the battle cry of my new found friends. Not wanting to be a poor host nation ambassador I accepted the invite for free beer. So with a frigde full of Heineken(apparently this is the choice beer of Estonia) and burgers on the grill the only thing(s) missing from my european "trip" was some of those St. Pauli girls.

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