I’m not particularly keen on stars being around professional surfers. But the only time I interviewed Kelly Slater was the only time. When I spoke to him at the 2019 World Surfing Games, I could feel my nervousness in my increased heart rate and long sentences. His blue eyes are so piercing and his words carry so much weight. I don’t know if my nervousness showed on the outside, but even if it did, Kelly Slater is such an eloquent speaker that I looked halfway decent against him.
Slater is not afraid to voice a thought or opinion. When he appears in a contentious social media comment section, he ends any debate in an authoritative manner. When the GOAT speaks, it is difficult to argue. In Slater’s last podcast appearance With Barton Lynch, the conversation mainly revolved around the 2024 Olympics. He revealed a lot of valuable information, knowledge and gossip. Here are the key takeaways.
Slater’s son was born and still has no name
During or just before the Olympics, professional surfing’s most coveted DNA was reproduced. On the podcast, Slater announced that his second child, a son, was born. Slater said that there is a name on the birth certificate that is used solely for official purposes, but the little boy does not yet have a name.
“We don’t have a name to call him,” Slater said. “We’re letting him figure out what kind of personality he is.”
Chances we’ll see the new mysterious Slater on tour in 2044? Pretty good if you ask me.
Slater was an undercover Olympic coach
In the podcast, Slater said he never officially applied for the U.S. national team coaching position for two reasons: He had hoped to be selected to the team himself, and Shane Dorian, who held the job, was more than qualified.
Although Slater was not a coach, he revealed that he “helped” a select few athletes, namely Kanoa Igarashi, Caroline Marks, Gabriel Medina and Bryan Perez, whom he regularly texted with tips, advice and/or support.
Having a mentor by your side is invaluable.
Roofer Despite it does not understand the Olympic qualification system
Given that Slater is known for his oratory and deep thinking, I find it puzzling that he never seems to grasp the Olympic qualification system. Yes, it takes a few minutes, but if you read the document carefully, it is not The complicated.
During the interview, Slater let slip a sentence that told me he didn’t understand how he could qualify for Paris 2024.
“If I ever got a wildcard spot, it would have been the wildcard that Bryan Perez got,” Slater said. “I actually felt a spiritual connection with him, like a brotherhood.”
Slater is completely wrong in this assessment. Perez was awarded the only manuniversality” slot. These special slots are built into the qualification systems of most Olympic sports to give athletes from countries that are underrepresented a chance. There is a definite list of countries that are eligible for that spot, and I’m sorry to tell Slater: The United States is not one of them. However, Syria is on the list in case Slater ever wants to get another passport in honor of his Syrian heritage.
The reason I say Slater Despite it does not understand is that he has similarly paid little attention to the qualification system for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
I remember Slater saying on the 2019 World Surfing Games broadcast that he would qualify for the Olympics if he won the event. That event was only about continental qualification for Asia, Oceania, Africa and Europe. Continental qualification for the Americas was through the Pan American Games, and yet the USA was always going to fill its two men’s spots through the Championship Tour.
It was confusing that Slater thought he had another path to the Olympics. Does he not care enough to read the rules, or is he constantly trolling us? Maybe we’ll never know.
There are too many demands when surfing
When Lynch changed the subject to the high-scoring Olympic race between Ramzi Boukhiam and Joao Chianca, Slater said with a blank look on his face, “Yeah, I’ll be critical.” I grabbed my popcorn, knowing Slater was about to make some sweet comments.
“I thought they said it way too often,” Slater said. “They said they were the best waves of their lives. The waves were good, but both of them could have been deeper on almost every wave they rode. I’m sorry.”
Slater went on to say that he felt like Joao was “selling” his waves and that claims in general were more “in fashion” these days.
“There are so many claims now, it’s like football falls for me,” Slater added. “I’m getting sick of seeing them. (Claims) are not used for sentimental reasons, they’re used to sell something… There should be a scoring rule where you deduct something for an unjustified claim (laughs).”
While Slater may be right, he should be prepared to be scrutinized the next time he claims a wave.
Judges and athletes should have the right to take group photos
The most exciting moment outside of the Olympic Games competition was undoubtedly the Dismissal of Australian judge Ben Lowe after taking a photo with fellow countrymen Ethan Ewing and Bede Durbidge.
Slater told Lynch that he had wanted to comment on the issue earlier but then held back.
“It reinforces this weird energy that judges and surfers can’t be friendly,” Slater said. “And that sucks… I thought it was a bit silly myself.”
Slater went on to say that “someone” reviewed the scores and found no discrepancies. I’m 99 percent sure that someone is me. I’ll add that to my resume.
