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Famous Surfers: Kelly Slater, Eddie Aikau, Duke Kahanamoku And Claire Bevilacqua
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Published: October 30, 2006
Every era of surfing has its famous surfers. Ever since its recovery from near regulation to the annals of anthropology, the gods of surfing have rewarded well those who’ve dared fate and the swells. Very much reminiscent of native Hawaii in the days before Captain Cook, those that could surf were revered as godlike, bestowed with awe, admiration, fame and fortune.
One can suspect the same in the case of Kelly Slater. Arguably the generation's most influential and famous surfer, fans have reacted with dismay as reports of Slater contemplating departure from competitive surfing have arisen. If the reports are true, Kelly Slater will matriculate to a list of famous surfers who in time became legends of the lifestyle.
In his absence, those who've waited in the shadows of the big wave will clamor to claim the spot left by Slater. Noteworthy surfers, perhaps famous surfers in their own right, include Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) stars like three time WCT Champion Andy Irons, five year veteran Mick Fanning and new debut Pedro Henrique. Slater's first place finishes at the 2003 and 2004 X Games will be challenged by X Game surfers like Peter Mel, brothers Shea and Cory Lopez and Sam Hammer.
An old salt to some on the circuit, Slater is still considered by many to be at the peak of his game at age 33. Recently picking up titles at the Quicksilver Pro at Gold Coast Australia and the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach Australia, Slater has also laid claim to seven WCT Championships.
Although Slater's potential retirement will leave a space for a competitive colleague and up and comers, Slater will move to a place on an exclusive list of legendary famous surfers. His ability to produce breath-taking barrels and unnatural aerials on famous breaks like Australia's Kirra Point and Hawaii's Banzai Pipeline will put him in a league of his own amongst the sports finest.
In most cases, surfers fall into two categories: legendary and competitive surfers. Legendary surfers like big wave surfer Eddie Aikau, Duke "The Big Kahuna" Kahanamoku and iconoclast Miki Dora were known as pioneers. Other famous surfers Tom Carroll, Mike Richards, and Tom Curran are renowned for their competitiveness. However Kelly Slater’s position as both a pioneer and a competitor makes him unique.
Although the feats of men in surfing are most often recognized, women have been long time contributors to surfing. Since the folk stories of Hawaiian chiefesses and queens surfing the shores of Hawaii, women have made an impact on surfing. Surfers like Eve Fletcher and Anona Napoleon of the fifties and sixties enjoyed the same notoriety and success as famous surfers like Woody Brown and John Kelly. Following in the footsteps of famous surfer girls, women who have become famous surfers include Chelsea Georgeson, Claire Bevilacqua and Serena Brooke.
ESPN Internet Ventures. 2005. ESPN. 13 Oct 2006. www.expn.com
ASP World Tour. 2006. Association of Surfing Professionals. 13 Oct 2006. www.aspworldtour.com
List of Surfers. 2006. Wikipedia. 13 Oct 2006. www.wikipedia.org
From Polynesia With Love. 2006. Ben Markus/ Surfing For Life. 13 Oct 2006. www.surfingforlife.com
One can suspect the same in the case of Kelly Slater. Arguably the generation's most influential and famous surfer, fans have reacted with dismay as reports of Slater contemplating departure from competitive surfing have arisen. If the reports are true, Kelly Slater will matriculate to a list of famous surfers who in time became legends of the lifestyle.
In his absence, those who've waited in the shadows of the big wave will clamor to claim the spot left by Slater. Noteworthy surfers, perhaps famous surfers in their own right, include Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) stars like three time WCT Champion Andy Irons, five year veteran Mick Fanning and new debut Pedro Henrique. Slater's first place finishes at the 2003 and 2004 X Games will be challenged by X Game surfers like Peter Mel, brothers Shea and Cory Lopez and Sam Hammer.
An old salt to some on the circuit, Slater is still considered by many to be at the peak of his game at age 33. Recently picking up titles at the Quicksilver Pro at Gold Coast Australia and the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach Australia, Slater has also laid claim to seven WCT Championships.
Although Slater's potential retirement will leave a space for a competitive colleague and up and comers, Slater will move to a place on an exclusive list of legendary famous surfers. His ability to produce breath-taking barrels and unnatural aerials on famous breaks like Australia's Kirra Point and Hawaii's Banzai Pipeline will put him in a league of his own amongst the sports finest.
In most cases, surfers fall into two categories: legendary and competitive surfers. Legendary surfers like big wave surfer Eddie Aikau, Duke "The Big Kahuna" Kahanamoku and iconoclast Miki Dora were known as pioneers. Other famous surfers Tom Carroll, Mike Richards, and Tom Curran are renowned for their competitiveness. However Kelly Slater’s position as both a pioneer and a competitor makes him unique.
Although the feats of men in surfing are most often recognized, women have been long time contributors to surfing. Since the folk stories of Hawaiian chiefesses and queens surfing the shores of Hawaii, women have made an impact on surfing. Surfers like Eve Fletcher and Anona Napoleon of the fifties and sixties enjoyed the same notoriety and success as famous surfers like Woody Brown and John Kelly. Following in the footsteps of famous surfer girls, women who have become famous surfers include Chelsea Georgeson, Claire Bevilacqua and Serena Brooke.
ESPN Internet Ventures. 2005. ESPN. 13 Oct 2006. www.expn.com
ASP World Tour. 2006. Association of Surfing Professionals. 13 Oct 2006. www.aspworldtour.com
List of Surfers. 2006. Wikipedia. 13 Oct 2006. www.wikipedia.org
From Polynesia With Love. 2006. Ben Markus/ Surfing For Life. 13 Oct 2006. www.surfingforlife.com
