Kelly Slater: retirement, fatherhood, and a champion’s changing heart.
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- “I hear people say things about me retiring, like ‘You need to just retire’, blah blah, but I think people don’t understand what a life it’s been.”
In 1992, a 20-year-old rookie named Kelly Slater hopped a ride to Bells Beach with his buddy and mentor Tom Carroll. It was the first event of his first year on tour. He won the world title that first year, but he didn’t win Bells. The event challenged him like few others. Now, 32 years later, as the greatest competitive surfer of all time prepares to step away from the heat of battle, we asked Kelly to spend some time with his old friend Tom, wandering around the Bells and Winkipop surf check spots, and talking through what he recalls of that time and about where he finds himself today. The conversation offers a rare and very candid glimpse into the changing heart of a champion, as Kelly tackles age (“Getting old sucks, man!”), his connection with three time Bells champion Michael Peterson, the loss of friends, approaching fatherhood for the second time, why he still likes surfing heats, and yes, the R-word.
Oh and why he and Kalani will not be calling their child “Thomas”.
This is a big moment in a great surfer’s life and we’re proud to bring it to you.
Filmed and edited by Hannah Anderson / Directed by Nick Carroll / Interviewing by Nick and Tom Carroll
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The first time I watched Kelly surf was at an ESA contest in like ‘86. He was so much better than everyone else, even his brother, I knew he would make an impact on the tour. An impact he made. I am a year older than Kelly, but the fact that he is still going is so amazing to me. I have lived vicariously through Kelly for a very long time now. Anything he does now and for the rest of his life is earned. I will always be a fan.
Thanks for sharing…. A fan as well and earned is to put it lightly. What a champ.
I actually surfed a heat against Kelly in the boys division of the New Smyrna Surf Safari contest back in 86. Even back then he was all the buzz, and smoked everyone. I have actually surfed with Kelly a few times since then here in Costa Rica. He is the G.O.A.T.
I was at his first win at Trestles. It was amazing to see how much better he was there than most. Chris Brown was awesome too at that event. I am also a year older than him so I have seen his entire career in real time. He will be missed.
Incredible comment. Thank you
I was in the ESA North Central division (NSB/Ponce Inlet) in the early to mid eighties and we heard about Kelly.."This little kid just smoked me in a Super Heat!" Hahaha
Kelly's speech after he won that last title at Pipe is one of the most beautiful moments in competitive surf history. Thanks for hanging in so long, GOAT! Tour ain't gonna be the same without you. 🌊🤙🍻
Great interview guys 👊🏾
Kelly & Tom are both such legends 🙌
word. just recalling tom's cutty ' at the ;91 pipe masters and how unthinkable it seemed at the time
I'm 64 and still surfing everyday, surfing saved my life. It's not only about catching waves, it's surfing as a whole. Kelly's an inspiration! And yeah, getting old sucks!
I am surprised you don't have arthritis in your shoulders like I got from all the years of surfing.
Best slater interview yet. Finally gets real. Good job Tom and Nick.
always real, just didn't advertise the difficult
Absolutely
His greatest challenge and hopefully accomplishment will be to be the father to his son that he wasn’t to his daughter , or his father was/wasnt to him. I wish him well. ❤
I think he will realize what he missed with her daughter
Ridiculous statement if not coming from the father or daughter themselves
Tom carrol is the best listener I ve ever seen.... amazing stuff..... the goats get better with the age....
Two of the greatest surfers of all time. Much respect. Much love.
Getting older is a privilege not awarded to all. As we hit those milestones we also suffer loss. Kelly mentioned having a list of friends that have passed. I'm 55, I started a list a couple years ago. Good to remember those friends that are gone too soon and also why they passed... Alcohol is the #1 cause of death among my friends gone too soon...
I love the candidness from KS here. He is the GOAT of GOATS and acknowledges that it cane at the expense of his relationship with his daughter. I hope for both of them that they can mend whatever fences need mending. Very cool interview!
You have given HOPE TO MILLIONS Kelly. Turning 50 this year and in the best shape of life both physically and mentally. You have changed the mindset for what is possible. Thank you!!!
"Don't surf as much, Don't keep in shape as much" That's awesome!!! Kelly Slater gave me a shoutout in an interview, I appreciate it buddy. Cheers to the next chapter. You've inspired multiple generations...good on ya
Two true giants. Brought tears, great interview Tom. All reports are that the GOAT is real down to earth too. Thankyou both.
Two of my favorite surfers who just happen to be about the same age as me, totally inspiring, definitely defined my life, and inspire me to keep on surfing as long as i can.
I’ve only ever had one idol in my life growing up and it’s this man. He still inspires me to this day. Thank you
The fact Kelly is still surfing totally changed my outlook on my own surfing... It's inspired me to keep going.
It's time to walk out of the spotlight and give all your attention to your son. Thanks for all the memories and inspiration throughout the decades.
Needs, wants and desires. I’m 67 and still sending it thanks to the inspiration from legends like Kelly and Tommy!
My late father bought me my first Surfer magazine in 1992 -“California goes off”. Kelly was rated way, way down in top 44 and was quoted as having “a whiff of a chance” at a title. What an amazing record it has been, few saw it coming. Been following a most inspiring career with all the highlights, heats and of course surf movies. Thank you Kelly 😊
Wishing you the very best in your next phase Kelly, it will be good not to be so self-focussed and have a family life. Open your heart now, no need to be afraid 😊🙏🏽🍀
Kelly truly is an amazing human in every aspect.
Thks man. A GOAT is forever. !!!!!
Just can never get enough of Kelly. Maybe it’s just me but he is weirdly relatable. Strives for excellence, ego in check, introspective, continues to age like a fine wine (as it were). Thank you for some of the greatest inspiration and example set Mr. Slater! Enjoyed a handful of sessions in the lineup with you, from Sebastian as a grom to Rincon as a college student. Best wishes and congrats on your son. Also Tom you are a legend, we met at Island Water Sports in Florida and I made you a dyneema soft shackle bracelet. Cheers!
Kelly is one of the greatest athletes to ever walk this space rock we call Earth! What a rad dude who has inspired multiple generations of past, present, and future. Anything he has ever done has been with the most competitive mindset. It never mattered who or what he was up against.
Kelly, I hope the next chapter for you is as rad as this one has been dude🤙We'll be looking out for the grom to be shredding some waves in the future! Hopefully we'll also get to see you kick some ass in some heritage heats!
Kelly has been my #1 inspiration and motivation since the early early days in Florida. Thanks for this Surfline. Definition of legend.
I'm younger than you Kelly, but you inspire me to keep getting better. Congratulations on your son and hope you can be closer to your daughter in the years ahead!
Kelly really opened up in this interview! Awesome stuff!
Love Kelly. So happy for him and his son to be! He is a major inspiration.
He’s the best commentator the tour has ever had. He should run the thing and call selected heats.
I'm the same age as Kelly and in the best shape of my life. Do what you love and you will never old. Gonna miss Kelly in the water, but will be cool to see what he has in store. Loved the chill vibe of Tom and him chatting here. Onward and upward!
Watching your son stand up on his first way will be better than your best world title. Much love kelly
So good to see Kelly interviewed by Tommy. Thank you Nick ✌
Going to miss Kelly on tour. I’m the same age and I’m from Florida as well. I grew up watching Kelly compete. It was so exciting witnessing greatness. I was inspired by the talent of Kelly so much that it helped me in many situations throughout my life. Thanks Kelly.
-unknown
What a great, honest interview with the GOAT. I got to freesurf at Winki in 1997 with both Kelly and Lisa Anderson in the water. I was so stoked!! Kelly and Tom are my all time surf heroes and the world is a better place because of them. Thankyou!
Kelly is not only a legendary athlete, he's a sterling human being, thoughtful, adventurous, insightful, creative, deep and just plain cool. I always try to catch his heats, it will be weird not to cheer for him in world tour events. He has embraced fatherhood and there is no doubt he will excel at that too.
Two legends having a legendary talk
Thank you 🙏
Thanks for a lifetime of Surfing inspiration Kelly. Goat of Goats!!
Great and heartfelt conversation between 2 Champions. I was just a slightly above average Huntington Beach surfer, then changed sports to Mtn Biking back in late 90s, before moving to a landlocked state. I'm 8 years older than the GOAT. Kelly, you're for sure a strong motivation for me to keep riding, and stay fit and flexible- even when my body aches a bit, or I feel like I don't wanna do it!
Interviews like this really help you realize that even someone who is a legend at a sport is still a human being that goes through the ups and downs of life. Being open like this makes Kelly even more of a legend
What a POWERFUL and deep conversation. This is the type of content I want to see.
I hear the sentiment of being old and keeping up your sport. Kelly Slater is the GOAT for sure, possibly in any sport - to keep winning at 50 is genuinely remarkable. I love park skiing and i turned 50 this past year, and have loved it for the entire time it has been a thing. I'm still sending the biggest stuff in the parks i get to ski, and OK i am not trying so hard any more and generally don't spin, but the hang time is always going to be fun when it's 20m 🙂 People never think i'm out of my 20s till i take my hat off 🙂 And the guys always say it gives them hope to keep going. Much respect to Kelly, not just for his sporting achievement, but also for the man he is.
Thanks for this. It will continue to be a great moment of time.
Great chat, it's good to see the personal side of these incredible icons of the sport. They have problems too, not everything has gone to plan. Kelly who has the winningest record in the history of the sport has not achieved this without regret and sacrifice.
So much time for KS, been a hero of mine for 30 years, cemented himself as a true man of integrity in recent times and he will forever have my respect. Kudos to TC for doing a great job of interviewing, a lovely watch. ❤🙏🏻🤙🤙🤙
Great interviewer. Solid presence, more listening than talking. The clear right questions and empathy.
Love up your daughter & love up your son. So happy for you! And, thank you for “sending it!”
You have inspired so many to never give up! Thank you!
Great honest interview. Loved it. so special
Glad to see Kelly bow out gracefully . Time for a knew chapter champ. You gave us 40yrs of epic surfing. Life is short... Enjoy the next run.
Kelly gives us all hope.
A pleasure to listen to
Tom you were respectful and patient like waiting for that Wave allowing your friend to talk and be himself, showing us - the World the beautiful person he is. Thank you Tom. Kelly your son and Kalani are the future of a happy family and we need to see how it is done. Kelly you have made Surfing better and human, touching us all out of showing Love instead of Hate. Despite your difficulties and hardships, you choose Love every time. Only Love can heal our World. Love you Kelly ❤️ Thank you Surfline.
Wow , mahalo Kelly for this Deep Conversation, often i avoided the Surfscene because of all this Superficial and dump talking, youre the Proof that surfing doesn,t exclude intelligence or Mindfull and sensitiv Thinking. thanks for everything you are ever growing Hero .
Kelly - thanks mate - GOAT unquestionable, but still grounded -fing legend mate
Best Athlete of our generation. Hands down.
I also grew up in Toms local area. What a Gentleman he was.. plenty of time for all the local kids. Absolute legends>
Tom Carroll is one of my favourites of all time. This dude was brutal.
I think there comes a time for all of us watermen when we paddle out to waves we used to compete on and as you sit inbetween sets you realize that damn, the life and memories that have come and gone and new memories being made are all of a sudden changed to now cheering my friends kids on and them cheering my kids on as our kids now discover the stoke. 🤙🤙
I’ve only been watching for a few decades, but so awesome to watch! I love how humble you are, that makes you a true superstar! 🤩 thank you for making it so much better to watch ❤🏄🏽 more coverage than the ‘80’s, you know if you weren’t there, you didn’t get to see. Love the coverage 🤟🏾❤
Slater will always be one of my favorites! He is the best and so happy for him and his new chapter he is creating with the loved ones around him and his family.
Your 2022 Pipe win was probably the best sporting moment i've ever witness. I still get chills and emotional watching that. The absolute GOAT. Thanks for everything. ❤
Kelly mate,
I am 2 yrs behind you, YOU AINT OLD FELLER
Well done
You have been a standard to live by for many many young grommets
🙏🏼🇦🇺🤙🏼
What a drag it is getting old,Thanks for the ride Kelly Slater the Goat of Surfing.
Great interview. Kelly give everyone inspiration. The amount of parents I meet (late 40's) that say how good it would be to be a kid again...I always ask them...Why did you stop!
Very good interview. Best of luck to Kelly and Kalani. The clock never stops, the body has its limits, and the truth will set you free.
Two of my favourite surfers met both of them and lovely to hear that conversation then
I appreciate this interview a lot.
Thank you Kelly Slater . 🥑
Thank you Kelly!
A real champion! Thank you
You're right Kelly, 62 here and yeah I'm still dreaming, loved all the amazing saves, floaters, and the thrill of you busting out of the tube when we had already written you off.
It was always my theory that the bald head was to reduce the times a chandelier would take you out, am I correct ? 😊 Love you man, best of luck with fatherhood 💕 👪 🌿
Being the same age as Kelly I can relate to a lot of what his is saying. He has a deep soul, like myself.
Yeah, getting old sucks but it’s also a blessing. All the friends that have passed before you. Knowing that your life is coming to an end in the not too distant future is hard. Knowing that you’ve made your mark in the world means not much left to do but enjoy retirement. Much love to Kelly and his family.🙏
He will be always be remembered as the best.
You will be missed on tour Kelly. Instead of the tour you can just start a you tube channel and have heats with John John when Pipe wakes up!
Best of luck to you, Kalani, your daughter & future son. May the wind always be at your backs, the sun always shine on you all & may the waves be the best for you Kelly. ☘🌊
ps old saying "The last guy standing wins"....that's you Kelly..retiring at 52!! Congratulations on a long sucessful career!
So weird to think this is really it! I’m almost 47 so as a grom surfing in Scotland back then (which few did) I remember seeing a mag cover in high school when he won his first ASP World Title. Then took a 6th place the year later. Then went on a five year tear and retired. It was done. Then the return due to AI. I was in Hawaii for my first time when he won his 7th and have the DVD still. Finally met him after he beat Chris Ward in the 2008 Pipe Masters. I was on my honeymoon. Smart phones weren’t a thing but I just felt so bad at how he was treated like a piece of meat. Got the award then stayed…and stayed…and stayed. I saw women scratch his arms, people pull his vest…you name it. It started raining…he stayed. They were taking down the sponsor banners etc and he was still there. He was visibly shaking with cold and still the autographs, the digital camera pics. Eventually I asked him, “Hey mate. I’m on my honeymoon. Can we get a picture with you please? Totally get it if you wanna bug out though.” He got between us and put his arms around us both and a friend took the pic. I felt no need to give him how long he’d been part of my surfing journey. I just thanked him for his time. I’ll never forget how long he stayed and frankly how badly he was treated by people who pulled and pushed him in all directions right after he’d just won his (fill the blank) Pipe Masters in really weird conditions following a crazy rain fall. Sir Kelly didn’t complain. Not a fookin once. We left and he was still with the remaining fans. Thank you Kelly. Absolute bloody legend. MJ is the Kelly Slater of basketball in my book. Brady is the KS of American Football. Tiger is the KS of golf. None of them are actually the man himself. Blessings brother.
Loved this. Two legends chatting about their careers. Even though Kelly might not on the tour in the near future I look forward to seeing what he does next. THE FROTH NEVER DIES!!!!
Well done Tommy...Great listener. Drew him out. Legends both.
Genuine! Solid interview! Big Fan of both!
Have appreciated KS’s recognition of the people, places and locales he‘s encountered in his life’s journey.
His book Pipe Dreams,” stood out as evidence Kelly paid attention to the habits that make champions. I’ve shared my copy whenever possible.
Can only chuckle as Kelly’s son will one day, look at Dad and say, “Seriously, Dad…Best in the world?”🤙🕉🌺🏄🏾❤️
Kelly, embrace what you have had and what your going to have. One life is all we get, enjoy all of it. It has been fantastic watching you through the years.
This was beautiful. Thank you Surfline and Kelly.
Such a GREAT interview! Thank you Tommy it’s great to hear you two share stories and pull back the curtain for us fans that love you both so much. Thank you Kelly for the countless entertainment! My favorite contest of yours was Long Island! Crazy!!!
My Hero for decades
Did not want this to end...awesome piece of work here. Thanks for sharing
Champion forever ..
Great interview. Thanks
Once you accept midlife it gets pretty special. Its nice to get to know yourself again. 20-40 is chasing and want. Midlife is like ok, what have I actually got. Great to see men being open in this space.
There's a lot to learn from Slats. He'll keep going... in other areas. Innovating, changing things. He's never fitted the mould entirely, I mean look at this wave pool stuff. He could probably start an older gen tour for fun, there's been some talk of that. Can't wait to see what the next SlaterSurprise will be in future. Cheers Kelly, good man.
Just make Kelly the frikkin CEO of WSL already. It’s the only logical way forward 🤝✅
loved it epic to hear KS reflections
Beautiful chat.
Kelly, you are truly the goat but I don’t listen to outside chatter. I’m 63. I still skateboard pools surf snowboard even after a botched hip replacement but yeah good eating and a positive mindset and fast and let your body reboot and rest is super important. I plan on doing all this into my 80s.🎉
Simply legends.
In the water and out, he is the greatest of all time
WOW I just wish I could of somehow someway of been able to attach myself to one of these top of the line legends how I loved and still do watch these guys surf no disrespect but especially Kelly because he’s been in the public eye for so long, and I hope one day Kelly reads this my mother use to say in her 70s that getting old stinks and it does boy how it does I’ve lost all my childhood friends but one, so all I have to say to the youngsters is please enjoy your youth your 20s 30s and even into your 40s because after that it’s game over, UNLESS YOUR KELLY SLATER AND IVE ONLY MET ONE OF THEM, KELLY KEEP ON COMPETING UNTIL YOU CANT COMPETE ANYMORE.
This was so good.
Love the Aussie commentary on some of the Bells clips. Bring back Aussie commentary for Aus events!
Him and John John will always be the two greatest surfers ever to me. Long live King Kelly!
How lucky really are we to stand by Giants, of the likes of Michael Peterson, Tom Carroll, Kelly Slater, Ramza Aponte, Sunny Garcia and so many more, we salute you legends 🤙🇨🇷⚡ Florida is the new Sion 🤙.
Your a true champion slats. I remember i didn't really like you because you weren't an Aussie. But yeah. Your a champion mate. You get my respect
Awesome interview thanks🤙
I remembered seeing some footage, action shots, comps, and read interviews of him in '90/91 and had a feeling he'd be the following years champion, and told my friend about it, he looked at me and said 'yeah right.' Then when '92 rolled around he became world champion
Kelly shouldn't focus so much on the ones that passed. Its the ones that are still living that deserve our attention.
If you're reading this Kelly, rejoice in the relationships and memories that are still available to you. 🙏 And you know what the bible says about a heart of stone? Check it out. Become new....
It's OK kelly it's time brotha ! We loved every event but it's time