We knew on Thursday that he would have his hands full with Owen Wright. The 19-year-old Wild Card from Australia has been on a phenomenal tear in 2009. And as expected, Wright got past Slater by taking the above the lip route which is typical of all the surfers that are half Slater's age. What we didn't predict is Wright would do it in come-from-behind fashion.
With his win Saturday, Wright has provided the bookends to Kelly's 2009 story. When he felled Slater at Bells in March it was Kelly's second early-round loss in a row, which seemed unimaginable after his 2008 domination.
Indeed, Kelly's PR machine was busy investing in his quest for ten. Both Sports Illustrated and ESPN took note of his chase for the double-digit. Hoping to strike while the iron was hot Slater's handlers began plotting to leverage their client's popularity into a pro surfing revolution. Thinking boldly, they started pitching the concept of a dreamier dream tour with Kelly acting as star.
Slater's passive involvement was a no-brainer. The ASP was stuck in a vicious hostage situation to its own board comprised of stakeholders in the status quo. He wanted actual change, but had no desire for confrontation, and wouldn't be caught dead at board meetings.
In fact, the only boardroom discussions Slater cared for were the ones taking place in the blue-walled shaping bays of Channel Islands, because his thirst for experimentation was unquenched. Slater was a late arrival to the surfboard renaissance, but he seems determined now to jump out in front of it. His journey into the design realm is what led to his 9th world title that made all the talk of ten possible. Deep down, Slater knows this.
That's exactly why as the 2009 season got underway he was more dedicated to his art than the potential of his new moment. That's exactly how and why he ends up on a tiny little 5'4" during the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast. Hopelessly hooked to new feels he was stayed true to his larger quest for new limits--a vital part of that particular design journey--but the timing of his threshold beat down was unfortunate.
The only difference between his Australian campaigns of 2008 and 2009 was the logic of his boards. He sealed his 9th title on pragmatic designs just as his new openess began. But by the time he arrived at Pipeline, after clinching his title, he was armed with a mangy dog of a board. Nevertheless, his Pipe win got more hype than anything else because of the hideous beast.
The press praised his deep-six as if it were a breakthrough. But it wasn't. It was, however, a piece of crap. Sure it got him down the face and behind the curtain, but so did Gerry's boards 35 years ago. Slater couldn't turn to save his life on that thing. That he won on it says much more about his dominance out there than anything else. But his success there is what led to the goofiness that followed ealier this year.
His subsequent back-to-back losses in Oz months later put a damper on the ten talk just as it was getting started. Then at stop number three in Tahiti rumors of "Kelly's New Tour" started spreading. Boy, that didn't go over well. It might have if he were actually in the lead at the time, but he wasn't, and however well intentioned the whole thing was the poor timing gave the movement the distinct aroma of a sour grapes campaign.
While trying to climb back into a title race Slater stuck his neck out politically, and some of his relationships were strained as a result. If his team got their way there was no telling where most of his peers would end up, not to mention the ASP staff. Today, if you wanted to argue that Slater paid the price with the judges there's certainly enough video evidence to open a case.
Kelly Slater pleading his case with Contest Director Mike Parsons after his loss in Mundaka. The two would later confront the judges with their mutual concerns. Photo: Lucia Griggi
Yet Kelly's distractions finally came to an end during this endless European leg. All the "rebel tour" talk was silenced after the ASP wisely turned inward and placated its critics with some modest changes. And on Saturday the plug was finally pulled on his quest for 10.
Now Slater can get back to his primary quest, which, of course, makes us wonder what the hell he'll be riding at Pipeline this year. Lord knows he can win there riding the hood of a Toyota Prius, but if he does, just think of what that would lead to on next year's tour....that is, if there is one for Kelly.
We'll broach that one later.
