How come Slater is hated by his peers?

[StuckinVA]

Has anyone read any articles or interviews about why Kelly Slater is hated by most of the other pros? Is it because they think his scores are a little to generous or something?

[El Porto]

I don't think most pros but definitely some. Its not quite Phil Mickelson level. The resentment comes from the fact that many think he gets preferential scoring and that he is insanely competitive. Also don't forget that he is 36 yrs old. Most of the guys are tour are in their 20's. The guys he came up with (Machado, Dorian, Patty O, et al) have moved on from the tour.

[aka pumpmaster]

Human nature dictates that most people who aren't successful must despise the successful (after all that's way easier then elevating yourself). as for preferential treatment, that's much easier than admitting you got schooled by Slater.

[Zippy]

I think it's time for him to quit. We all know he is a great surfer and that will never change. Just give it up already and let some new guys in. Personally I don't care for him or his style. Don't get me wrong he totally rips and as far as a contest surfer he is unbeatable but I have always liked Machados style way more. I'm not jealous just tired of hearing about him and seeing his face everywhere, with me he wore out his welcome.

[jay cagney]

but he's looking at his interests not yours, why would he quit because other people want him to, instead of doing what he would like to do.

[aka pumpmaster]

but he's looking at his interests not yours, why would he quit because other people want him to, instead of doing what he would like to do.

What he said. Why hate success and why should he quit just to let others win? They should step up and beat him if they can.

[SkySurfnSnow]

Human nature dictates that most people who aren't successful must despise the successful (after all that's way easier then elevating yourself).

Very intelligible quote because you nailed it on the head.
________
Suzuki A95 (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Suzuki_A95)

[Zippy]

I guess what I am saying is, if it is in his interest to keep competing and beating everyone and if he personally feels the need to do it, it's an unlikable quality. If there are a bunch of guys in the lineup that are not as good a surfer as you are, you can take humbling them only so long before you give them a break. I would think he knows (and we know) he can do it at will, so what exactly is the purpose to keep doing it? With that amount of skill and achievement I would think he would have the dignity to bow out and go live his life.

Also he has been in it so long that the judging criteria has evolved around his style to some degree so of course he surfs his style the best and keeps winning. There are tons of guys around that I see locally that are so impressive but they follow that style of surfing only. Thats why when I see someone surfing a fish, longboard or anything else well, I tend to be more impressed. The slater style is the cookie cutter for good surfing and everyone who wants to surf contests aspires to it. It looks very generic to me.

[xgen70]

I watched the final video at least three times now....it was close, real close, and could have gone either way. What I got from it is that both surfers were over scored for the waves thay took and what they did with them. The Aussies first wave was, regardless of number of turns,.. was over scored. That seems to have set the tone for the rest of the scores and rides. In the end, I saw some 36 year old working hard to make up lost ground,... And making it look good, as well as trying to throw in some extra,.. in craped out waves.

I do not think I have ever heard someone refer to KS's surfing as "generic", that is hard to understand.

Bottom line is,...even if they were giving him points just because, that would never end up making for 8,..going on 9 world titles. No one started to complain until now. So what would have changed if KS got second? Nothing,..still Number one on tour and still going for the 9th world title.

I really do not think those who do not have that type drive could ever understand those of us who do. Everyone is not created equal.......

Like any great champ he should go out on his owns terms, which he will,.. unless someone steps up and knocks him off,....time after time, which none have been able to do so far.

I say keep surfing or doing what you do best as long as you can. Because you know that no matter what, one day everyones prime slips away.

Enjoy the show while you can and be greatfull for being able to see such a high level of proformance, since they are very rare nowadays.

[aka pumpmaster]

Zippy, maybe he keeps doing it cause he loves competing. You sound like a pretty non-competitive person (no diss, just and observation) and if you are i can see how you feel that way you do. I don't think KS competes to humble people. He competes because he loves it.

[Swellinfo]

Zippy, maybe he keeps doing it cause he loves competing. You sound like a pretty non-competitive person (no diss, just and observation) and if you are i can see how you feel that way you do. I don't think KS competes to humble people. He competes because he loves it.

and dont forget about the cash money. he may be old as a competitive surfer, but hes young when it comes to being finished working.

[Zippy]

No dis taken :) . You are right I am totally non-competitive. It is true that we see the world through our own eyes, to me competing for a wave even in a crowded lineup blows the whole experience so I cannot fathom what Slater does. And yes I stick to my statement that Slater is generic at least to my eyes. Tom Curran, Rob Machado and quite a few others stand out in my mind as non generic. Slater is insanely talented, maybe the best surfer that ever lived, he revolutionized the way we surf or aspire to. I don't know maybe I should just say I have never been a big fan for a bunch of reasons and leave it at that. If I found a magic lamp, rubbed it and a genie popped out and said "If you want I can make you surf as well as Kelly Slater." I would be surfing as well as Kelly Slater and loving it.

[StuckinVA]

"It's only a contest. It doesn't mean anything. That's us soul surfers..."

[CharlieInOC]

Would you want to be world champion because Kelly quite or would you want to be world champ because you kicked everyone else's ass?

I hope Kelly goes for number 10 and gets it. If the other pros don't like it, then all they have to do is beat him, which apparently isn't so easy even at the old age of 36.

He has done so much for surfing, and has only set the bar higher for everyone else. All the while continuing to be a great role model for the next generation. Someone will come along and pick up where he decides to leave off and continue the progression. Whether you like him or not, you can't deny his place in surfing history..........

[Lumpy]

Wait a second...the guy is friggin' off the hook. Why should he quit? To keep the level of surfing down for the others who can't quite reach the level his is at...to make it easier for the guys who can't catch him....no way!! That would be a cop out for the sport. It is about progression..that is what he is doing...taking it to another level.

The guy rips...the extra 5 minutes at trestles is going to be questioned but so what...so he would have gotten second and still been in first by 1000 points if the heat was only 35 minutes. Still pretty damn good if you ask me.

I mean...5 1st place finishes and 2 17th place finishes so far is phenomenal. And this from a guy who isn't taking the tour seriously (or so he said at the beginning of the season). He may be super competitive but he is surfing contests like he is freesurfing...almost anyway.

Keep rockin'!! That's my vote....

[Lumpy]

Would you want to be world champion because Kelly quite or would you want to be world champ because you kicked everyone else's ass?

I hope Kelly goes for number 10 and gets it. If the other pros don't like it, then all they have to do is beat him, which apparently isn't so easy even at the old age of 36.

He has done so much for surfing, and has only set the bar higher for everyone else. All the while continuing to be a great role model for the next generation. Someone will come along and pick up where he decides to leave off and continue the progression. Whether you like him or not, you can't deny his place in surfing history..........

Rock on....

[JerseySurfRat89]

Has anyone read any articles or interviews about why Kelly Slater is hated by most of the other pros? Is it because they think his scores are a little to generous or something?

he definitely gets respect from andy and bruce

[Surfin' Elvis]

And the number one reason the surfing professionals are jealous of Kelly Slater...
He screwed Pam Anderson and they did not.

[Lumpy]

And the number one reason the surfing professionals are jealous of Kelly Slater...
He screwed Pam Anderson and they did not.

And he didn't get the Hep. either!!!

[jay cagney]

And yes I stick to my statement that Slater is generic at least to my eyes............ Slater is insanely talented, maybe the best surfer that ever lived, he revolutionized the way we surf or aspire to.

..... huh?

[Lumpy]

..... huh?
Things that make you go....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?!

[surferboi0911]

..... huh?


agreed....can u really say that he is generic while at the same time calling him revolutionary?

and imo, him winning everything is good for surfing. it's forcing everyone else to step up their game and take surfing to a whole new level. he's strengthening the future of it.

[JMD]

That is stupid saying he should quit to give someone else a shot. They have a damn shot they are on the "dream tour" all they need to do is win against the guy. Everyone whinny like little kids that don't get their way. The guy made the sport. He put it in the limelight. If you ask a randum person to name a surfer the chances are they will say Kelly Slater.

Ask me to name a golfer. I would tell you Tiger Woods...

why in the hell would the guy quit he is at the level EVERYONE on the world tour should be at. He makes very, very few mistakes and he surfs at the top of his game every heat. Plus the guy is far from a **** like most of the pros on tour. Why would you want him to leave? That is dumb.

[aka pumpmaster]

This really boils down to a 'soul' surfer vs competitive surfer debate. Someone who is a soul surfer can't see a place for competition in surfing because they don't have any. Those of us who are more competitive easily see why Slater stays and why some people are aggro in the line up. Surfing has always had these two sides and always will. I love it when people start threads about how competition is bad, blah blah, blah, but the conveniently ignore the fact that is ALWAYS been part of the modern surfing culture.

[StuckinVA]

he definitely gets respect from andy and bruce

I was watching Fuel, and it was the pipe masters contest either last year or the year before. but the entire crowd hated KS and he got a 10 or something and nobody cheered or anything. Then, Andy killed it and the place went nuts. Maybe it's because Andy is Hawaiian and they were cheering for their hometeam. Also that article on sh!tline, saying how he's always alone and is the outsider. Maybe it's his choice but you'd think he would have a few homies in the top 45. Maybe he did and they all left (i.e. Dorian).

[Lumpy]

That is stupid saying he should quit to give someone else a shot. They have a damn shot they are on the "dream tour" all they need to do is win against the guy. Everyone whinny like little kids that don't get their way. The guy made the sport. He put it in the limelight. If you ask a randum person to name a surfer the chances are they will say Kelly Slater.

Ask me to name a golfer. I would tell you Tiger Woods...

why in the hell would the guy quit he is at the level EVERYONE on the world tour should be at. He makes very, very few mistakes and he surfs at the top of his game every heat. Plus the guy is far from a **** like most of the pros on tour. Why would you want him to leave? That is dumb.

Plus...he is an East Coaster representin'!!! Loud and proud!!!

[jeskonutz]

Slater is the man. Denying that is just silly. The fact of the matter is that we should enjoy having someone like Kelly to be an icon for our sport. I'm sure in the next couple of years one of the Clay Marzo's generation will step up and preform better than Slater. Until then, enjoy it.

[Aguaholic]

I'm not a huge Kelly Slater fan myself. But lets face it. The best surfer in the world is from the east coast. Case closed. So i have to respect him and his surfing abilities.

[Lumpy]

Slater is the man. Denying that is just silly. The fact of the matter is that we should enjoy having someone like Kelly to be an icon for our sport. I'm sure in the next couple of years one of the Clay Marzo's generation will step up and preform better than Slater. Until then, enjoy it.
Marzo is nuts...even Slater fears him...he is the next generation; along with Jordy and Dane..

[OBlove]

Zippy you comment makes sound like a &ussy! Here is your quote, "I think it's time for him to quit. We all know he is a great surfer and that will never change. Just give it up already and let some new guys in."

If Slater surfed to impress you are anyone else, he wouldn't win.

He is what he is because he can shut everything out. (or as he said, "letting it all go!") And the fact that someone is great beyond all measures, surfing world class waves alone, and "making and hanging out with" incredible friends everyday of his life gives me no reason to think he is going to rollover for the young guns...or anyone.

A few other kooks on here said something about how he should do this or that. He should do what ever the F*CK he wants. I would. You should. The greatest athletes or artists (in which he is a combination there of) dont roll over for someone else to come on in. Think about. They make a career of it. Kelly is not slowing down so why would he quit. He likes it and he is better at it then everyone in the world. No one can do his job better then him. If I could say that about my job I would never stop doing it...EVER. Lance Armstrong is coming back to the tour because he realized its good for the sport and that he is the best at his job. Better then anyone ever. Michael Jordan came back because he was the best at his job (but failed). Think about it, the reason people remember you forever is because of your legacy. Kelly Slater's legacy is tatood upon all surfers and he is slowly mainstreaming his name amongst ALL GREAT ATHLETES in all genres. To concrete you own legacy in another human being means something we should all try to experience. He performs this on an extreme level. A hero. Are any of you?

[OBlove]

That is stupid saying he should quit to give someone else a shot. They have a damn shot they are on the "dream tour" all they need to do is win against the guy. Everyone whinny like little kids that don't get their way. The guy made the sport. He put it in the limelight. If you ask a randum person to name a surfer the chances are they will say Kelly Slater.

Ask me to name a golfer. I would tell you Tiger Woods...

why in the hell would the guy quit he is at the level EVERYONE on the world tour should be at. He makes very, very few mistakes and he surfs at the top of his game every heat. Plus the guy is far from a **** like most of the pros on tour. Why would you want him to leave? That is dumb.

JMD I am with you except for the SLater made the sport what it is. CURREN did bud. Curren made the current state of the matter in pro competitive surfing. Curren did. sorry to spoil you.