SURFING SOAPBOX: ‘The machine’ goes on

Some things never change, and in the case of Kelly Slater nothing could be truer than that statement. After winning his first world title in 1992, Slater has just wrapped up his ninth world title and his most dominating year on tour to date — with an astonishing six wins in 11 events (he skipped Brazil because he already won the world title) and in one of them he came in second.

Not bad for the soon to be 37-year-old, as he continues to defy the odds. Just last week the Slater machine claimed his sixth Pipeline Masters, schooling the competition on a 5-foot-10 round pin that looked more like a penguin than a surfboard. It’s almost as if the “machine” has to come up with new ways to keep himself motivated in his winning ways. Now, much like he did in 1992 upon winning his first world title, he is again playing around with conventional surfboard design. Perhaps what is more inspiring, to me at least, is the manner in which he does it — a lot of class and a desire to give back. He shows the generations before him respect, and the generations that will follow him, well, the right way of doing it.

That’s with total commitment and class.

He continues to use his celebrity and name to give back to the vary thing that has given him so much, surfing. Raising money for the Surfrider Foundation and their fight against the 241 Toll Road extension, while his 10s for kids charity raises money to help children with special needs in Melbourne, Australia.

Yes, the “machine” continues to defy age-old myths and smash stereotypes that have long been associated with surfing. Surfers are no longer looked upon as “beach bums”; and winning knows no age when you stay committed.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing and ECOWarrior Surf.com. He can be reached at Jamo@Aloha SchoolofSurfing.com