December 19, 2008, 12:10 am : Riding Pipeline on a 5’9″
Filed Under: Events, News, SurfingDiscussion: C[1]mments
Why would you ever do such a thing? Back in the day when I chased waves of size, my trusty 7’6″ was the go; a proper gun that was big enough to get me in, with a nice pin tail to control the speed that comes from hurtling down a double overhead dredger.
The question is logical for you and me, why would you EVER do such a thing? But its not logical when you’re Robert Kelly Slater. Its not logical when you own an oceanic divining rod such as he does. And its not logical when you just capped off a World Tour season at 36 years old, in which you won your 9th World Title, by winning the Pipe Masters for a record sixth time, riding a…5’9″!?!
Only The King could ride such an incongruous board in true, grinding, medium to large Pipeline waves and win. With the title sewn up a couple of contests prior, Kelly had the luxury of experimenting. Other experimental feats in pro surfing, save for Curren’s heat win on an old, battered twin fin, have had the result of making a professional look rather foolish. But Curren’s was one heat in French beachbreak; NOT THE FREAKING PIPE MASTERS, all the way through to the final horn.
It gets better. Kelly designed the board himself, based on theories he developed in his head about how a shorter board could be more functional than a conventional gun in big, hollow waves. The brains to conceptualize it, and the talent to prove its efficacy. Pay attention everyone, you’re seeing one of, if not the greatest athletes of all time. If you can argue that point, open up. Let’s have at it, but before you do, check this video of Kelly riding his 5’9″, needing two scores to come from behind against Timmy Reyes. Making it look easy.
December 20th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Revolution indeed! The guy never quits. He just keeps pushing the envelope, which is good for all of us.