Kelly Slater is the first surfer to achieve 11 ASP World Titles
Kelly Slater has won his 11th ASP World Title — the first such achievement by any surfer.
The Sacramento Bee reports that Slater’s 20-year career has earned him the unique achievement of being the oldest and youngest surfer to win such an ASP Title. Slater, 39, reflected on the win, saying, “The 10th World Title seemed harder to me and felt like a two-year journey—really it felt like 20-year journey to get to the 10th. This year that was done, and I could put it in the past. And there were questions about the 11th but it didn’t symbolize what 10 did for people. This year was a little bit under the radar and I felt like I started off fresh. Part of it is people always talk about my age and you know I’m 39, almost 40, and to me that’s literally just a number. You can prove people wrong and stay super healthy. I don’t see why at 50 I can’t be in better shape than I am now. If anything I’d like to try to represent that to people. I eat well and I talk about it and I walk the walk and it shows in my ability physically.”
“Kelly’s incredible drive and determination as a competitive athlete is phenomenal to witness,” said Bob McKnight, CEO of Quiksilver. “After two decades of watching him conquer so many milestones in professional surfing, we are once again proud and amazed to be here to watch him win an 11th World Title. Congratulations Kelly!”
Read more about Kelly Slater’s impressive win here.
