Kelly Slater causes a stir – and draws criticism – with his wildcard.
54-year-old Slater is competing successfully at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro on a wildcard. The wildcard decision drew criticism, to which Slater responded.
Kelly Slater is 54 and still in world-class form. At the Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, currently underway at Teahupo’o off the coast of Tahiti, the competition is on for the best wave rides.
Slater is also a sponsor of this WSL event through the Outerknown brand and was awarded a place via a wildcard. This has sparked criticism.
Slater: “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. 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]. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.”
Under this pressure, the 11-time world champion – who now competes only sporadically – has so far done his wildcard justice. Among other achievements, Slater beat three-time world champion Gabriel Medina from Brazil in round two.
It is only Slater’s third victory against Medina in eleven encounters. Slater’s total heat score is his personal best since his last victory at Teahupo’o in 2016.
Slater isn’t competing for the world title. In a knockout competition, this makes it particularly frustrating for top riders like Medina to be eliminated so early on.
Slater: “Everyone knows Gabe's been through a lot lately, highs and lows. We've become good friends, and I really appreciate his surfing and his career. 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. That was a very emotional heat. I almost started crying afterward.”
In his next heat, Slater will be aiming to reach the quarter-finals. In the third round, Slater faces two-time event winner, defending champion and Olympic silver medallist Jack Robinson (AUS). It’s set to be a thrilling contest, because despite all his sympathy for his opponents, Slater naturally wants one thing: victory.
August 11, 2026 © DAILY DOSE | Text: Christian Tillmanns, WSL | Fotos/Grafiken: WSL / Hannah Anderson, WSL / Matt Dunbar | translation: DE
