Thousands of fans stormed Huntington Beach ‘Surf City’ for day three of the 2013 U.S. Open of surfing on Monday. Surf enthusiasts, surf brand retailers, and people that apparently just enjoyed being half-naked were all in attendance. To start the round of 96, the contest kicked off in crankin’ four-to-six foot waves next to the Huntington Beach Pier. Intense heats thrilled the crowd with several top ranked World Championship Tour surfers dominating the day’s highlights.
Eight of the top ten surfers in the world, are competing in this year’s contest for the cash prize of $100,000 and a chance to join a legendary group of past winners. Mainland fans don’t get too many chances to see this type of talent in action. Julian Wilson, defending 2012 U.S. Open champ, and currently No. 1 in the world, showed his skills with some great aerial maneuvers. Joining Wilson in ripping waves and leaving jaws wide-open were Jordy Smith, Michel Bourez, and Adriano De Souza. But every single one of those surfers were a distant second to the rock star, Kelly Slater on Monday.
This was only my second time seeing Slater in action but the hysteria that engulfed Slater when he appeared from the tent while waxing his board and putting on his contest jersey was something I haven’t seen at a sporting event since Michael Jordan. It was pure insanity. All of the previous surfers I mentioned had fans interested in their heats, maneuvers, and were waiting to get autographs and take pictures once they got out of the water…but not like Slater’s traffic.
Fans were lining up and crowding the steps of the platform where Slater was preparing before his heat. Flashes of cameras rivaled the glare of the sun.
“There he is!” screamed fans, as if Brad Pitt just stepped out in front of paparazzi. Young girls with “Free Hugs” written on their stomachs were screaming and freaking out like they were at a Justin Beiber concert. A lot of these girls probably weren’t even born before 1999. But girls weren’t the only ones crowding the ramp with their iphones and memorabilia hanging in hopes of Slater signing something for them. There were plenty of guys who expressed man crushes and seemed in awe of the 11-time world champion.
Although the mainstream media doesn’t cover surfing like it does the NFL Ad nauseam, this is surfing’s equivalent of Michael Jordan or Babe Ruth. Even the most casual fan knows the name Kelly Slater — at times it’s even bigger than surfing itself.
As Slater jogged down the steps on his way to the beach, security was on both sides of him to protect him from Beatles-esque hysteria, all while Slater slapped hands and smiled, taking it all in. No one was even paying attention to the current group of surfers in the water. Everyone was just waiting for the countdown until Slater’s heat. It didn’t even matter who was in Slater’s heat, they were doomed before it even started.
When Slater hit the water in his Quiksilver sponsored wetsuit and red jersey, thousands of fans stood on their feet, jostling their way as close to the water as possible, getting the cameras out to capture something special, which was certain to happen. Everyone wanted to see the greatest of all-time so they could brag one day that they were there to see Slater and have proof. Slater didn’t disappoint either.
Knowing all eyes were on him, Slater received the day’s highest scores with a 16.67 and an almost surgical-like wave execution. The surf legend’s most memorable moment was when he dropped in, went to the left, shooting the pier (to surf between the pilings of a pier), and then followed it up with a backhand tube, and many other impressive moves. I couldn’t tell you a single thing any of the other three competitors did during the 30 minute heat and no one else could either. All eyes were on Slater.
While Kelly was finishing up, hundreds of fans were waiting for him at multiple spots, especially the beach on the edge of the water in hopes to touch him or have him stop for a photo; it was the platform’s steps where they knew he was to return. Everyone wanted a piece of Kelly.
Like the celebrity he is, with his board under his arm and security on both sides, he rushed past the fans stopping for no autographs or pictures this time, leaving fans a bit disappointed. The disappointment didn’t last long as fans discussed with each other what angles of pics they got and bragging about patting Kelly’s back as he passed, all while uploading their rushed photos to Twitter and Facebook. It was awesome to see the love and excitement from everyone and I have to admit…I was just as guilty.
It is hard to believe that at 41 years old, Slater still has this type of impact on the sport of surfing and is able to perform at such a high level. Slater has won three of the last five ASP world championships. It’s even more impressive when you realize that the rest of the field and top ranked surfers on the WCT were just children when Slater won his first ASP Championship. In other major sports, that does not happen. That is why we all need to appreciate the former Baywatch star while we still have him.
Slater’s days on the circuit are definitely nearing an end. Retirement could be just around the corner and that is why this event feels like a farewell tour and maybe that is also why fans are freaking out more than ever.
Like Michael Jordan in 1998 with the Bulls — forget the Wizards era — everyone knew this was their last chance to see a legend. That is where Slater is now. The fandom won’t stop for him. The massive respect from his competitors will be there. Fans will YouTube his surfing and be in awe. Girls will still see which celebrity Kelly is dating at the time. Guys will see if he is still hanging out with Eddie Vedder. His gnarly surfing ability and celebrity will be on posters and surf clothing until the day we die and everyone that saw Slater on a surfboard will tell their kids that they saw the greatest of all-time surf in Huntington Beach at the U.S. Open. I know I’m going to tell that story.
Joshua Caudill is a writer for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter@JoshuaCaudill85 or subscribe at Facebook.com/CraveOnlineSports
