At 54, Kelly Slater just stunned the surfing world after this wipeout
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Kelly Slater has turned back the clock with an insane performance at Teahupo’o during the Tahiti Pro in the World Surf League, the 54-year-old knocking out a three-time world champion 22 years his junior.
Brazilian Gabriel Medina was stunned with a record performance from the American, who was a wildcard for the WSL event.
Kelly Slater wins his heat against Gabriel Medina. World Surf League
After two wipeouts in the 10m swell, Slater got back on his board to execute two insane rides for scores of 9.73 and 9.33. His heat total of 19.06 left the surfing world stunned and knocked his superstar opponent out of the event.
“That was a very emotional heat. I almost started crying afterward,” Slater said.
“I definitely had to settle in. I knew going against [Medina], he’s just so savvy as a competitor.
“I tried to push a bit deeper. I started doing breathing exercises, calming down, and getting the heart rate down.
“Part of me was thinking he’d come back, and part of me was thinking it would be super cool if he did because it would make the heat such a good story.
“But I settled back out there and went, ‘Let’s think about putting him in a combo situation. Let’s maximise what’s out here as opposed to just surfing a smart heat.’
“Everyone knows Gabe’s been through a lot lately, highs and lows. It’s tough to come all this way and lose to someone who’s not in the title race.
“I’m on the other side of that now, so I feel all those emotions, the toughness of the travel, being away from family. When you have a loss, it sucks.”
At 54 years old, Slater has rewritten the rules of surfing, coming back and giving a vintage performance that harked back to his prime.
Slater retired from full-time competition in 2024 and, in 2026, welcomed a third child and underwent hip surgery.
But he showed his worth on the international stage as none of that swayed his competitiveness against three-time world champion Medina.
Kelly Slater turned back time with her heat in Tahiti. World Surf League
Slater hit back at critics who claimed he didn’t deserve the wildcard spot in Tahiti.
“Obviously, you see the comments, a lot of people doubting me or saying they should’ve given the wildcard to a local, and I get why people say that,” Slater said.
“Without pressure, you’ve got no diamonds. It fired me up, and even after all this time, yeah, I have something to prove. I need to go out and show it went to the right guy. I think I can [win this contest].”
Slater will next face an Australian competitor in two-time Tahiti winner, defending champion and Olympic silver medallist Jack Robinson, in round three.
