Matt is regarded as the pioneer of aerial maneuvers. He has been a formidable presence on the East Coast surfing scene for more than two decades and captured the ASP East title in 1992. Coaching is a familiar aspect of surfing for Kechele, as he played a fundamental role in the early development of surfing icon, Kelly Slater.While Kechele admits the East Coast is often burdened by its "stepchild of surfing" stereotype and lackluster surf, he is confident the East Coast will prevail at XG '03. the team's combined seven World Titles. (Slater has six: '92, '94-'98 and C.J. Hobgood has one: 2001.