Ke11y Slater

Kelly Slater did it again, he claimed his 11th World Title just now in Round 3 at the Rip Curl Pro 2011 'Somewhere in San Francisco'. This is nothing but unbelievable! Congrats to Kelly for this epic achievement! Wow, this is just awesome..

Official Quiksilver Statement:

Kelly Slater is the World Surfing Champion for the 11th time in his career. At 39 years old, the Quiksilver team surfer has won his latest World Title in San Francisco (USA) before the end of the 2011 season, during the 10th and penultimate ASP World Tour event.

This 11th historic crown marks a season highlighted by 3 wins (Gold Coast, Tahiti, Trestles) bringing his number of elite victories to 48; an incredible record in the surfing world and a rare feat in sport at the highest level.

Still at the top of his game after spending 20 years in the elite, Kelly Slater adds a new world title to his immense track record that continues to defy statistics. Never has the competition been so fierce on the elite circuit, although the rivalry is different from the years with Andy Irons or Mick Fanning. The next generation of new school surfers who are increasingly radical, such as Owen Wright and Adriano De Souza challenged in the 2011 world rankings, as well as Julian Wilson and Gabriel Medina who have the motivation to beat the supreme master. Not forgetting the top names Jordy Smith, Jeremy Flores and Michel Bourez.

His Secret? Firstly a talent bordering on genius but also a sense of strategy, reading the wave like no one else, a phenomenal ability to adapt, the temperament of a competitor which matches the greatest champions and finally exceptional physical conditioning. Above all else a passion for free-surfing. Always on the lookout for the swell of the year, he is able to cross the globe on a whim to surf great waves, dropping everything including a World Championship event.. (like at Jeffrey's Bay this year). For Kelly Slater, surfing is visceral and has certainly given him the ability to reinvent himself, he is still, at nearly 40 years old, the absolute reference point in his sport.