The question was valid as most times people can form a better opinion of something that they themselves have experienced. So, you are a pretty good surfer? Excellent. Then you understand how difficult it can be. And using your logic, if someone is not athletic nearly any sport would then be difficult, not just surfing. And only being able to doggie paddle seems quite dangerous. I have had my leash snapped more times than I care to remember and swimming in under those types of conditions is never fun.


Oh, so you are saying that there are 100 people in each of the four sports you listed that are more athletic than him. Wow, I can barely name 10 let alone 100 tennis players, but I have a hard time believing that the number 99 player in the world is more athletic than Slater.

I did that at Backdoor/Pipeline many times back in the early 90's.

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/da...ompson-400.jpg

:)

you're funny. Pipe and backdoor are both some hairy waves. Teachupoo in that clip is a monster.

And I would bet that Slater could hit a 90mph fastball. A curve...not so sure...lol

You are seriously comparing baseball players to great athletes? I'm a baseball fan and all, but that is just dumb.

Some better athletes off the top of my head:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EXrCmkQko7...00/CarlLew.jpg

http://wwmmd.com/wp-content/uploads/...jerry-rice.jpg

http://dribleo.com/wp-content/upload...1_jordan12.jpg

http://www.marketing.com.uy/wp-conte...estigacion.jpg

Where I'm from, only girls are called Kelly.

hahah man ohh man

I bet if those pictured fully understood who Kelly Slater is and what he does they would all say Kelly is more of an athlete than they are :)

actually, other than Ronaldo, I would say Slater is well situated in that group. Let Ronaldo play some more years before we start lumping him with some of the greatest athletes to have played in their respective fields.

I read the yahoo linked article yesterday. I have been a Kelly Slater fan for years, his skill is just amazing!

The biggest thing that stands out when comparing Kelly to those pictured is that Kelly's sport is in an uncontrolled environment. Jordon played on a basketball court. Rice played on a football field and so on.

Kelly does his thing in a constantly moving and changing environment often under extreme conditions. What sets him apart is the ability to adapt and navigate that environment AND do it better than anyone else whether it's free surfing or on his way to an unprecedented 10th world title. Keep in mind that surfing isn't a team sport and he earned all those titles on his own.

Jordon plays for a few minutes and then sits on the bench while the officials call a time out so they can go to commercial. Jordon gets up and runs on a flat, stationary floor and shoots towards a stationary basket that is in the same place the whole time he plays. If he is injured he has help at the sideline.

Jordon is the best at what he did and I loved watching him but in terms of athleticism he along with the others just don't stack up to what Kelly does.

Surprised nobody mentioned his list of hot GF's

Kelly Slaters Gf's :thumbsup:thumbsup

I did in post #40 :thumbsup

Did you not read my post? Then why are you posting the same thing? I'm an athlete but I'm not a good swimmer. Being a good swimmer doesn't mean you're a great athlete, so what does me having trouble "paddling" have to do with my athleticism?

And that's the 3rd time you're getting it wrong. I'm saying there are 100 athletes in those 4 sports combined that are better athletes than slater. And LOL@comparing Slater to the likes of MJ, Ronaldo, Jerry Rice, etc. I'm sure he would never put himself in that category.

But being a good basketball player does?

Sorry, when I read this
I must have misunderstood.

and with this, I will agree with you. Slater is far too humble to wade into that sort of debate.

Name me a good basketball player who isn't a good athlete.




Get off his jock strap, you're not his psychologist.

I was comparing your ideas that if you are a good swimmer, you are not a good athlete, but being a good basketball player means you are a good athlete. Obviously we have different opinions on the definition. Still, you being a "pretty good" surfer, I am surprised to hear you don't find the abilities necessary to be a great surfer "athletic".



wtf?

I was expecting a girl too :(

Im back to say it again. Anyone here wighing in who has never surfed needs to just quite down lol

Believe me Kelly can go shoot a jump shot. Put Jordan out in 5 ft pipe even. He would flat out drown , and Slater rides that shit 20+

All you internet surfers, recognize. Real surfing is the hardest sport to learn. Fact.
Second fact. Kelly Slater is the most dominant force ever at the hardest sport. End of story. Kelly Slater is the greatest athlete on the planet. He is super man on a wave.

Pass what you're smoking Jesse.

truth! - there is not even a close second.

Kelly is a girls name

I'm sorry, but it still surprises me that anyone who is a pretty good surfer, and you have told us you are, would not give the sport more respect. Could I ask, do you surf shortboards or longboards? Just curious.

You're continually using strawman arguments. I never said it wasn't a tough sport. I'm disputing all the hype and exaggeration you guys are giving it.

I don't deny Slater's greatness.

But if you want to talk about a truly remarkable dominance in a sport that requires probably the most dedication of any, Phelps tops the list. I swam competitively for 17 years on an International level and the insanely difficult task to dominate in a fashion in which Phelps ruled the pool for the past 10 years is staggering.

http://home-gym-fitness-equipment.co...ael-phelps.jpg

If Phelps entered the IRONMAN triathlon this year do you think he would win and if he didn't win would you then consider the IRONMAN winner the better athlete?

I think we are going to agree to disagree. You don't feel that a great surfer is a great athlete like a great basketball player or tennis player is a great athlete (by a large count, according to your "100 people in any sport that are more "athletic" than him" quote). Fine.

I am still curious what kind of board you ride. Where do you surf? I haven't been in the water in months...:(

There's a place in Galveston where you can surf and I just rent a board. I didn't say I was good, I'm ok enough to stand on the damn thing. There's some waves here but not as much as Hawaii or Australia.

That is an incredibly stupid question. Pitting people against each other who don't train for the other's sport is retarded. Phelps doesn't train for ultra-endurance events. An Ironman winner will be blown to shits in the 200m Free. What is your point?

I was pointing out the dominance within a specific sport, in this case swimming and Phelps achieved greatness that has been unheard of until he entered the picture.

Coming to think of it, comparing athletes and their achievements against other sports is entirely retarded.

You beat me to it, but you're a fellow swimmer...so it's all good.

If Phelps dominates for another decade he will approach Slaters standing as one of the worlds greatest athletes.

And they might one day be in the same category as a Jordan, Rice, Pele.

Ah, Texas...tough place to get waves. I always thought it would be a neat experience to try that tanker surfing...




And you did say you were good..


Anyway, it was my bad, you did give surfing its props.


have a good one.

http://images1.fanpop.com/images/ima...45_576_384.jpg

the OP at one of my favorite spots in Banda Aceh, Indo - 3 guys out all day

http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/a.../NIRVANAsm.jpg

hey man, I already said I havn't been in the water in months...you trying to make me more depressed:upsidedow

...nice wave though....

What's your criteria for "best athlete ever". Speed? strength? endurance?

greatness doesn't necessarily have to involve those qualities although Slaters speed, strength and endurance are phenomenal - it's about legendary status with regards to greats from other sports. Tiger Woods could someday go down as the all time greatest.

Did you read the article?
http://www.grindtv.com/surf/blog/205...o%20seriously/