Watching the Billabong Pro Tahiti at Teahupo’o was spectacular last night. The conditions were perfect, the waves were pumping, and the best surfers on the planet were getting barreled out of their minds.
John John Florence, when interviewed, said he had completely lost sight of the competition in the line up and was just having fun. He also said that it’s just such a treat to surf pumping Teahupo’o with only one other guy out. His mindset must have worked as he won the Most Committed Andy Irons award.
It was nuts to see how much fun these guys were having. Even Kelly seemed to be enjoying himself and not just focused on winning everything all the time. Naw, that’s a lie. Kelly just wanted to win. And he nearly did. Kelly Slater got 2nd place in the Pro Tahiti boosting him to the #1 ranking in the world right now with 4 more stops to go.
30-year-old Aussie Adrian Buchan quietly won the Billabong Pro Tahiti in grace and style.
The next stop is in California at Trestles in San Clemente. Kelly always shines at Trestles and we hope he kicks some butt here in Cali and brings home his 12th World Title by the time the tour ends at Pipeline in December.
Kelly Slater is now 41 years old and he’s still a total freak. He’s a machine. He’s a major inspiration to ‘old’ guys everywhere.
Kelly got rescued by a jet ski during a heat only to had a big wave wipeout the jet ski and hurt his shoulder. He ended up walkin on the reef and still won the heat
If Kelly wins his 12th, he may retire from the tour. Or not. We don’t really think he will. He’s still the best in the world, and it looks like he could keep surfing at this level for 5+ years.
What do you think? Do you think Kelly will win his 12th this year. If he does, will he retire from competition?
Dude really is a freak