Watch: Kelly Slater by Jack Coleman in Hawaii

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Reels

Bit of a departure for the king of lo-fi surf cinema filming KS with #nofilter and what sounds like Tangerine Dream rather than his usual Mingus-style blues or tinny guitar pop.

No idea if this was filmed before or after Slater's recent 48th birthday, but either way the fella is now squarely middle-aged. Though you wouldn't know it from his surfing.

Comments

Fatso's picture
Fatso's picture
Fatso Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 12:12pm

well that was underwhelming...

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 12:52pm

Not enough airs?

tango's picture
tango's picture
tango Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 6:50pm

You must be joking

Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67 Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 10:17am

How were you doing at 48 Fatso?

Fatso's picture
Fatso's picture
Fatso Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 5:50pm

Surf...@ 48 I wasn't even surfing due to mental health issues. Now I'm back in the water people keep trying to throw me back when I come in. Now I'm just happy to be out there and improving again...or paddling round and getting bombs on the head without having a little cry for mummy like I did last week. Not dissing Skater or his surfing, just didn't do it for me (certainly not cause of a lack of airs Ben)...find it so with a lot of grabs these days. Probably expecting to much...or something

p-funk's picture
p-funk's picture
p-funk Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 1:10pm

Watching Slats for me now isn't about seeing if he's still the best (he isn't, except for maybe on his day at big Cloudy/Chopes/Pipe), but rather seeing what is still possible at his age.

As someone who's turning 40 this year with a shit back, busted shoulder and seemingly irreversibly tightening hips means the GOAT is still god.

Just thinking about doing one of those larry's has me reaching for the Nurofen.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 1:33pm

I loved it.

Serendipitously enough , it reflected the same niche as I’ve enjoyed with my own surfing experience in the last few weeks . That of larger , mostly open faced waves with no shortage of power. These waves might not be too photogenic- they don’t have a thin feathering lip , symmetrical taper to the wall or a predictable curve , but they are nonetheless extremely fun and challenging waves to ride.

Kelly’s freedom on the waves is a joy. Nothing is forced , sections are ridden for the sensation they offer and not for the maximum points they may return. It’s obvious that he is very present on the wave. He’s having fun .

There’s time to wait for clear water and when the opportunity does arrive , his committed carves are smooth and harness the wave power without the theatrical grunt often displayed when he’s competing.

I rewound that first drop with its slump shouldered plunge several times...enjoy the ride , indeed !

Nigeisblessed's picture
Nigeisblessed's picture
Nigeisblessed Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 1:47pm

I agree Blowin' I got about 1/2 way through and thought "he's just having fun." The guy's how old? 47 or something? He still rips, and in big surf. I paddled out in the recent big swells we had here on the Central Coast and had a serious thought if my fitness and body were still up to big surf. Wish I could do what he does.

Kham's picture
Kham's picture
Kham Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 4:21pm

I agree. Just seamless beautiful surfing.
In response to fatso, when is Kelly freesurfing ever truly Underwhelming?

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 5:23pm

Me too.
Thought he surfed with a great, pared-back style. As if he thought nobody was watching.
Anybody know what the music is?

tango's picture
tango's picture
tango Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 6:51pm

My word, that first drop was a 10/10 for casual under pressure

Fatso's picture
Fatso's picture
Fatso Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 5:53pm

Kham, see my response above. Just didn't tickle my ample tummy...apologies to those I've offended or that took my comment as ....however they took it

OHBILLY's picture
OHBILLY's picture
OHBILLY Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 6:43pm

Hot tip.... never apologise. Even though it was a dick move.

t-diddy's picture
t-diddy's picture
t-diddy Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 1:34pm

At sunset - thought he didn't like that place

Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67 Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 10:20am

Looks more like Haleiwa to me but you might be right

Solitude's picture
Solitude's picture
Solitude Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 8:41pm

Yeah got to be Haleiwa.
How’s that wave at 1:31, is that Backdoor or really critical Haleiwa?

Love open faced waves like that. So much room to move. Imagine feeling that power on those waves. Looks ‘cruisy’ but would be fairly hectic out there I’d imagine

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 1:44pm

Enjoyed it and he was loose as a goose man can surf and I like the extra rail line he can crank it over more for power turns. P-funks comment about the nurofen...GOLD.

tiger's picture
tiger's picture
tiger Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 1:56pm

Love seeing slats with a bit more rail length! Looks like Haleiwa, surprised he hates sunset, he seems to love Haleiwa!

bipola's picture
bipola's picture
bipola Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 2:03pm

i loved it and i totally agree with blowin, kelly was ripping and having fun. if he doesn't get injured he could go on for years. i prefer that type of surfing, open face waves, lots of cut backs, re entries fast.
i am 68 and it scary, got to keep fit so i can surf. my board is 7ft 2 inches. volumes good so paddling is easy. people talk to me like i am an old person. my brain tells me i am 30 years old and will be that age till the end. ahh, you still surfing?? people get old and they want me to get old. surfing keeps me young.

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 7:35pm

That’s a great effort to still be going at 68 bipola. You should be really chuffed with yourself. I hope I’m still as keen and able as you obviously are at your age.

donweather's picture
donweather's picture
donweather Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 2:04pm

Anyone know what board he was riding? Seems longer than his usual length but still quite skatey once he plants the back foot.

calk's picture
calk's picture
calk Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 3:51pm

I’m not certain, but from the 4 fins, stringer and shape it looks a lot like this one:

Slater and Tokoro have the Houdini together, but it doesn’t say whether that is one of them.

billie's picture
billie's picture
billie Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 3:09pm

I was thinking it looked spurty, like a quad.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 3:33pm

5 secs billie
Not the board in insta pic ...has a different Decal layout
Board also has almost a full 1990s slipper nose.

calk's picture
calk's picture
calk Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 3:39pm

What is a 'slipper' nose udo? Lots of nose lift/rocker?

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 3:47pm

Yep .. nose lift .. like an Arabian Slipper.

calk's picture
calk's picture
calk Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 3:52pm

Cool! Thanks

calk's picture
calk's picture
calk Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 3:35pm

You're right Billie, it is a quad. There's a shot if his fins very early in the video.

billie's picture
billie's picture
billie Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 6:17pm

I know from riding one, they can respond poorly to the first little pump, but once they go downhill.... vvvvVVVRRRRROOOOOOMMMMM

jayet-010's picture
jayet-010's picture
jayet-010 Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 3:49pm

Looks more like a 2 +2 to me.

Those back fins look pretty small and narrow (close together) for a quad.

My 2c.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 2:47pm

Def looks like a longer board and I also enjoyed that for what it was. Loved the tighter shot footage as well, can focus on his body movements and small adjustments.

Robo's picture
Robo's picture
Robo Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 2:22pm

Give me that any day v Medgoose

gunther's picture
gunther's picture
gunther Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 2:43pm

He looks great on that board

billie's picture
billie's picture
billie Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 3:10pm

How's the layback at 34 seconds?!?!

Barrabool's picture
Barrabool's picture
Barrabool Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 4:18pm

Just makes you smile

Dazza27's picture
Dazza27's picture
Dazza27 Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 4:49pm

still has 1 of the best full roundhouse cutbacks ever

jed.gurner's picture
jed.gurner's picture
jed.gurner Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 5:58pm

zoom in a bit more next time .... .. .

tango's picture
tango's picture
tango Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 6:49pm

Honestly, Fatso, if that's underwhelming you must be JJF's idol. Come on, admit it, you probably couldn't turn the wheel of the car as hard as he pushes those turns.
Check out the rail he has buried at 1:17. At the risk of sounding over the top, that is the best turn I've seen anyone over the age of 25 do all year.

Fatso's picture
Fatso's picture
Fatso Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 5:58pm

Tango....I don't take it back mate...see my responses above. Got back out recently on my 35 litre 6'4 )at 52 having been more or less out of the water for 5 yrs or so) and did a turn. Blew my mind it did ;-). Guess I've never been one for watching, and there is a lot out there these days. Skater rips as he always has, but I don't think he requires my worship more than anyone else.

tango's picture
tango's picture
tango Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 11:35pm

Haha no worries, you can't be doing too badly if you've only got 35 litres of foam under your "ample" belly (or whatever you said above that I can't see now as I reply). Unless you're rather short, too....

Keep turning, I'm told it doesn't get any easier.

mr mick's picture
mr mick's picture
mr mick Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 6:53pm

Nice, good fun, but he fell at 1:07 ....he’s human after all! lol

spencie's picture
spencie's picture
spencie Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 7:01pm

Agree with Blowin.

channel-bottom's picture
channel-bottom's picture
channel-bottom Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 8:53pm

His surfing looks so much better when he’s on a slightly longer board.

Rick Snowden's picture
Rick Snowden's picture
Rick Snowden Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 10:24am

Those trims!

I prefer thruster wielding vintage Slater, with less skate, but this is fine viewing from the ol' boy.

Ape Anonymous's picture
Ape Anonymous's picture
Ape Anonymous Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 10:38am

You're kidding me, what a shredder! See how deep those pits were!? Solid waves to be riding the foamball... his knees must be made of gold.

Coops70's picture
Coops70's picture
Coops70 Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 10:51am

After watching that I’m going surfing!

evosurfer's picture
evosurfer's picture
evosurfer Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 4:41pm

Are my comments blocked because of Slater not being that fond of me?
Well stunet it wasn't a rant it was a statement about how I just returned from
a month on the north shore watching Slater and many other world class surfers
tearing the place apart and or I can say is that he was by far the best surfer in
the water and reinforced it day in day out. The bald one is definitely a freak.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 1:15pm

Nup.

What were you ranting about anyway?

DBEARINDARE's picture
DBEARINDARE's picture
DBEARINDARE Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 2:02pm

Come on fatso. If slats turned up at your house and asked you to go catch some waves. Would you?
A. Call him a hasbeen kook and tell him to piss off.
Or
B. Blow a load in your pants, and follow him around like a bad smell.

I'm tipping B !!

Fatso's picture
Fatso's picture
Fatso Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 6:03pm

B.1 Go surfing with him...paddle around and catch nothing as I often do...take him for a beer at the local after...go to bed having had a great day

Fatso's picture
Fatso's picture
Fatso Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 6:06pm

Wow, never been so popular! After upsetting so many, I've rewatched it. Yep, Skater is the GOAT...yep the grab has his usual power, flow, style, edge (like everything you see of him), and possible more sense of fun than usual. Still didn't tickle my corpulent tummy...which has nothing to do with my sadly crashed and burned surfing ability. Forgive me

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 6:22pm

All is forgiven Fatso.

How dare you think for yourself.

But, I agree with everyone else.

Fatso's picture
Fatso's picture
Fatso Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 6:29pm

Cheers Zen....fark...every time I think for myself I get in trouble hey. Good stuff, its great to see everyone agreeing

Rojosh's picture
Rojosh's picture
Rojosh Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 8:33pm

How can you throw any thing but praise sheesh ...

Rojosh's picture
Rojosh's picture
Rojosh Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 8:34pm

How can you throw any thing but praise sheesh ...

69longboarder's picture
69longboarder's picture
69longboarder Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 10:00pm

Hey Fatso. Its all good. You are are suffering a bit of tall poppy syndrome towards Slats.

Would be un australian if you didnt.
We are ,known for it.
Nothin new here

69longboarder's picture
69longboarder's picture
69longboarder Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 10:08pm

Hey Fats, I missed you comment about what you doing getting back in the drink after a layup and the black dog.
Sorry.
More power to you from me. Keep banging away champ. I hope you kick your goals.

lilas's picture
lilas's picture
lilas Wednesday, 26 Feb 2020 at 2:39pm

I'm with Fatso...completely underwhelming......but NOT because of the surfing. [That was great]
That video just misses the mark on so many levels
That is what I call Fan-boy Filming, or Filming the surfer and NOT the actual surfing.
Most shots do not even show the entire wave top to bottom, let alone anything else to help give reference to the speed of the surfing. Surfing is about distance traveled and the speed acquired, something you don't really understand unless you have a proper reference. That's why pro-surfers look so much faster in real-life as your wider-vision gives you a much better sense of speed and distance.
...And the music...if you can call it that...that was really, really grating.

To sum it up.
I could watch the goat surf every day for the rest of my life. [Certified Fan]
...but this video ...hmmm I could not even make it halfway through

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Wednesday, 26 Feb 2020 at 9:34am

Hah, good to hear we have polar opposite opinions :-)

Usually unimpressed with KS, but really liked his surfing here. Also loved the filming, the tempo of the editing, and the music.

lilas's picture
lilas's picture
lilas Wednesday, 26 Feb 2020 at 2:38pm

Great to hear you loved it. :)
Art is only ever a personal opinion so there is no right or wrong.

ojackojacko's picture
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ojackojacko Friday, 28 Feb 2020 at 11:35am

i'm still waiting for the song to start

great surfing by the goat tho

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Wednesday, 26 Feb 2020 at 1:07pm

Just got a chance to watch this. Love the lines he draws... gains speed through the turns too! Incredible.

Ronson's picture
Ronson's picture
Ronson Wednesday, 26 Feb 2020 at 11:16pm

Good on him. Still rips big time. Poor little lamb needed a long arm springy to ward off the chill. Home to a nice cup of hot tea and a blankey over his legs.

rooftop's picture
rooftop's picture
rooftop Thursday, 27 Feb 2020 at 1:34am

Goji porridge and kale smoothie more like it.

Amazing surfing though. Whenever I start to have thoughts about getting old and creaky, he immediately springs to mind as a stark rebuttal.

I also think that by maintaining his fitness the way he has, he has been able to reap the benefits of having spent more time on more waves than almost anyone alive. In most of the older surfers, their accumulated wisdom is outpaced by their physical decline, rendering it useless. This is surfing from an old master, like a painter who's been working for 40 years and just getting better and better.

Optimist's picture
Optimist's picture
Optimist Thursday, 27 Feb 2020 at 5:18am

Definitely surfing like Kelly of old. Funny how he surfs best on boards the same as Al Merrick used to make for him.

dangerouskook2000's picture
dangerouskook2000's picture
dangerouskook2000 Thursday, 27 Feb 2020 at 8:24pm

shit music

nextswell's picture
nextswell's picture
nextswell Thursday, 27 Feb 2020 at 10:40pm

To be born with such natural ability and drive. Lucky bastard now owns a place in all his favourite surf spots. But yes the music absolute shite.

lost's picture
lost's picture
lost Friday, 28 Feb 2020 at 9:00am

that's pretty much surfing mastery right there.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Friday, 28 Feb 2020 at 12:19pm

I'll throw a dissenting opinion in and say I didn't like the look of that board under his feet, looked like a few turns he had to nurse it and it was catchy.

By contrast watch the latest Tournotes, he surfs heaps better.
so fluid, loose with incredibly sharp turn angles.

drodders's picture
drodders's picture
drodders Friday, 28 Feb 2020 at 2:40pm

So relaxed, fast and in control, he is incredible to watch - just the first drop so calm..;

drodders's picture
drodders's picture
drodders Friday, 28 Feb 2020 at 2:40pm

So relaxed, fast and in control, he is incredible to watch - just the first drop so calm..;

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Monday, 9 Mar 2020 at 10:05am

Two mins of Grandpa Slater in the latest Tour Notes: