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Kelly Slater Biography

Kelly Slater

Birthdate: February 11, 1972
Birthplace: Cocoa Beach, Florida

Kelly Slater has revolutionized the way people think about riding waves, has a video game named after him and put out his own album of surf music. There's no doubt that Kelly deserves his nickname of the Michael Jordan of surfing. Read on for the 411 on this surfing superstar.

Kelly Slater - Growing Up

Kelly Slater first jumped on a surfboard when he was a kid near his home in Cocoa Beach, Florida. His dad owned a bait and tackle store near the ocean, so Kelly would be at the beach searching for big waves almost every day after school - and sometimes even before school. His dedication paid off and by the time he was a teenager, Kelly Slater had a reputation as one of the best surfers around. He was appearing in surf magazines and even had an agent. Kelly won his first world title in 1992, at the age of 20, making him the youngest world champion ever.

Kelly Slater - Pro Career

In his 15 year pro surfing career, Kelly has a record eight world titles and 33 WCT (World Championship Tour) victories. He has won all over the world including Hawaii, Australia, France, Japan and South Africa. He's also competed in the 2003 and 2004 X Games. Kelly Slater took the sport to a new level by trying "skate style" tricks and going for big air off waves - rather than long elegant carves, which was the style of most old-school surfers. His accomplishments have cemented his rep as the world's greatest surfer.

Kelly Slater - Did U Know?

Kelly Slater had a reoccurring role on the TV show Baywatch in the early '90s.
Kelly Slater's favorite hobby to relieve stress is fishing.
Kelly Slater has been romantically linked to Pamela Anderson, Gisele Bundchen and Cameron Diaz.
Kelly Slater has a daughter named Taylor.
Kelly Slater once had a band that was fittingly called The Surfers.
Kelly Slater released his autobiography, Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey, in 2003.
Kelly Slater once has a video game named after him called Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer.
Kelly Slater's favorite places to surf are Hawaii and Australia.