50 years and not hearing them, is what we have been reading for a week about Kelly Slater. In fact, one of the most important weeks for him has just passed, marked by the incredible victory at the World Surf League Championship Tour.
His passion and his courage do not stop him and all this far exceeds the importance that his age could have, which takes a back seat; so in the World Surf League final he beats Seth Moniz, an athlete with about half his age, winning one of the most important surfing events, the Billabong Pro Pipeline. The other competitors are not envious of his victory, but rather proud of having had the opportunity to compete with a champion and a historic example of surfing like Kelly Slater.
Remembering times gone by, Kelly won her first Championship Tour at the Pipeline (island of Oahu, Hawaii) in 1992, thus counting a total of 11 Championship Tour wins and 8 at the Pipeline, which is one of the toughest spots. For those unfamiliar with it, the Pipeline is feared and coveted by all surfers at the same time, because it consists of a coral reef that allows the formation of huge waves that break on shallow waters, creating the sort of large pipes that are in the collective imagination of all.
Kelly at the conclusion of the victorious final said: “I have dedicated my whole life to this”. Seth Moniz echoed: “It was special to share a final with Kelly and a great privilege for me to be out there with him”.
This is exactly what Kelly Slater’s constant commitment, courage and willpower has shown us in this final, who nevertheless never stops, making all her fans hope for a 12th victory in the Championship Tour, and the devotion of younger surfers to be able to compete with someone more experienced, perhaps always their model for success.
In the end, this is surfing, a passion for the sea and for nature, but at the same time a continuous sharing of emotions and experiences with any other person who shares this sport.
