After two years without a victory, Kelly Slater is back on the podium celebrating a win – and what a win it was. After early calls of a terrible forecast, hopes for fireworks at the Billabong Pro were low. Many expected a lowly party popper at best, but Commissioner KP picked the eyes out of the forecast with precision, delivering an epic finals day in surf that can only be described as pumping.
Cue Kelly Slater. Today the 11-time world champ proved that when perfection is on tap and the tubes are round, he can still become that unstoppable Floridian force we all know and love. After the skill he displayed on the foam-ball throughout the event, I find it hard to believe that even the most hardened Kelly cynic wasn’t quietly hoping for him to take it all the way.
And take it all the way he did, claiming a perfect heat, the AI Commitment Award and the win.
Below we’ve compiled the best of Kelly from throughout the event. Dive in and rejoice … long live the king!