Kelly’s Day Spa

By Will H-S




Slats meets Shippies for some much needed R&R.

Kelly Slater has this weekend, for the millionth time, reminded all he’s not human. A week ago he surfed his way to a fourth Bell and second on the rankings, on a broken foot. Now that he’s back in the picture for that elusive title number 10 did he go home and rest up for the Brazil event that’s starting this week? Nope, he flew down to Tasmania to take on Shipstern Bluff for the first time. We had a chat with the champ about the whole damn thing...


KS in a Tasmanian cave. Pic Andrew Chisholm

How’d you find the whole experience?
It was actually pretty much what I thought it would be.  

You got seasick on the boat on the way out, did that affect your session at all?
For sure. I didn't feel like surfing for most of the day, ’cos when I got seasick I got cold really quick and didn't feel well pretty much most of the day. It was a warm day down there, but still not enough to get warm, and once you get seasick there's no getting away from it. 


Composed behind the curtain. Pic Andrew Chisholm

Did you have any heavy wipeouts? How does the wave compare to Teahupo’o or Pipe?
Not really anything too bad. My worst wipeout was on my smallest wave; I hurt my back a bit and had a long hold down on about a four footer. It pitches a lot wider than Pipe or Teahupoo at the same size I think, but you go into deep water, so there’s a bit of give and take there.

Talk us through your best wave.
I had a good paddle one and a few good tow ones. I think my best was probably my last one. Mark Matthews towed me in right through the pack, and I spent most of the whip trying to get the rope over the other guys heads so I didn't clothesline them. There weren't many big ones and the sets were single waves almost every time, so after a few waves I felt bad towing. Once I had a couple good ones I was ready to get on the boat and catch my flight home.

When are you off to Brazil?
I leave Australia mid week.

How’s the foot?
It’s so so. It hurts to surf small waves, but I just gotta rest it and let it heal.

Thanks a lot mate and good luck in Brazil.
All good, thanks.

More photos in an upcoming issue of ASL.