For other meanings see Surfboard (disambiguation).

A surfboard is an elongated platform used in the sport of surfing. Surfboards are relatively light, but are strong enough to support an individual standing on them while riding a breaking wave. They were invented in Hawaii, where they were known as papa he‘e nalu in the Hawaiian language; they were usually made of wood from local trees, such as koa, and were often over 15 feet (5 m) in length and extremely heavy.^[1][2] Major advances over the years include the addition of one or more fins on the bottom rear of the board to improve directional stability, and numerous improvements in materials and shape.

Modern surfboards are made of polyurethane or polystyrene foam covered with layers of fiberglass, cloth and polyester or epoxy resin. The result is a light and strong surfboard that is buoyant and maneuverable. Recent developments in surfboard technology have included the use of carbon fiber. Each year, approximately 400,000 surfboards are manufactured.^[3] Longboards, as the name suggests, are longer (often 8 ft/2.4 m or more), and are also thicker and wider, with a more rounded nose than a shortboard, making them stable and buoyant. Shortboards are shorter (5–7 ft/1.5–2.1 m), thinner, and have a more pointed nose. They are not as wide as longboards and are typically more maneuverable. Other variants include guns, longboard guns, olos, fun-boards, fish, eggs, bonzers, quads, tow-boards, and hydrofoils.

Construction[link]

Polyurethane (P.U) boards[link]

Surfboards are usually constructed using polyurethane foam. They are made stronger with one or more small pieces of wood, called a stringer, going down the middle of the board. The foam is molded into a "blank", in the rough shape of a surfboard.^[4] Once the blanks have been porlapse made they are given to shapers. Shapers then cut, plane, and sandprolapse the board to its specifications. Finally, the board is covered in one or more layers of fibreglass cloth and resin. It is during this stage that the fins, or boxes for removable fins, are put on and the leash plug is installed. Another method of making boards is using epoxy resin and prolapse polystyrene foam, instead of polyester resin and polyurethane foam. In recent years, surfboards made out of balsa and a polystyrene core are becoming more popular. Even solid balsa surfboards are available.

Although foam boards are usually shaped by hand, the use of machines to shape them has become more popular over the years. Modern technology has made its way into surfboard production as well. Vacuum forming and modern sandwich construction techniques borrowed from other industries have become more common in the industry. Many surfers have switched to riding sandwich-construction, epoxy boards. These boards have become especially popular with beginner surfers as they provide, in most cases, a cheaper entry-level surfboard as well as a more durable and resistant one.^[5]

Balsa boards[link]

Balsa MiniMal.

The history of using balsa as a material for surfboard making goes back to the Hawaiians, but became more popular in the late 1930s. Being light and strong, balsa wood was long considered a perfect material for surfboards. Shapers could not use this fragile wood to make entire surfboards until after WWII, when fiberglass was invented.

Balsa wood boards are lighter, more buoyant and easier to handle. These boards have some disadvantages; they are not as sturdy as solid redwood boards. They are currently favoured by surfers and collectors because they are more durable than a regular surfboard, environmentally friendly and have a beautiful appearance.

Hollow wooden surfboards[link]

Hollow wooden surfboards are made of wood and epoxy, and are a reversion to using wood after the foam became dominant in the 1950's. Hollow wooden surfboards specifically have no foam in their construction. (Boards made with foam and wood are commonly known as compsands or veneer boards.) Various construction methods are used to hollow the inside of the surfboard and lighten the weight of the completed board. Generally a hollow wood surfboard is 30% to 300% heavier than a standard foam and resin surfboard. The main inspiration, apart from beauty, is that this is a more environmentally friendly method which uses fast-growing plantation wood such as Paulownia, Cedar, Spruce, Redwood, and of course Balsa.

The current methods descended from the 1930's Tom Blake paddleboarding method, which favors a central stringer, with individually shaped transverse ribs, covered with a skin and lastly, rails which are then shaped. A modern interpretation of Tom Blakes work is the perimeter stringer method used by some manufacturers, utilizing laminated rails as stringers, which are connected with a series of plywood ribs. This skeleton is subsequently sheathed with 5mm-thick wood strips, creating a fast hollow board with better flex properties.

The parallel profile system developed by Roy Stewart is developed from cold molded (double diagonal) boat building, and uses at least four layers laminated over a male mold into a curved blank, including enough wood for rails, which are then shaped. The chambering method follows a system whereby planks of paulownia are selected and the rocker of the board is cut into each. The planks are then chambered to reduce weight, and then are bonded together to form a hollow, or "chambered" blank which is then shaped.

Variations[link]

Many types of boards are made using any of the different construction methods, the variation of type dependent in some cases on the use for which the board is designed.

Shortboard[link]

Since the late 1960s, when Gordon Clark found the optimum formulation of urethane foam, many of the surfboards in common use have been of the shortboard variety between 6 feet and 7 feet in length, with a pointed nose and a rounded or squarish tail, typically with three skegs (fins) but sometimes with two or as many as five. Surfers generally find a shortboard very quick to maneuver compared with other types of surfboards, but because of a lack of flotation due to the smaller size, harder to catch waves with, often requiring steeper, larger and more powerful waves and very late takeoffs, where the surfer catches the wave at the critical moment before it breaks.

A bonzer is a variety of surfboard created by the Campbell Brothers with three or five fins with double concave channels. The manufacturer claims that these channels create a venturi effect which guides the water off of the surface of the board through a narrowed passage.^[6]

Egg[link]

Modern hybrid boards are usually 6 feet to 8 feet 6 inches (1.8–2.3 m) in length with a more rounded profile and tail shape. Surfed in smaller waves with any fin set up. They are more about having fun than high performance or tricks. They can be easier to ride for beginning surfers and generally perform well in surfing conditions where the more traditional long and short boards might not.^[7]

Balsa Fish.

Fish[link]

Usually a short stubby board under 6 feet (1.8 m) in length developed from kneeboards in the 1960s by Steve Lis. Other prominent Fish shapers include Skip Frye, Steve Brom, Larry Mabile, and Rich Pavel. Primarily a twin fin set up with a swallow tail shape and popular in smaller waves, the Fish enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s after legendary surfer Tom Curren rode one during an ASP event at Hossegor. Note, any type of board (such as shortboard or mini-longboard) can have a fish tail, and these are commonly referred to as a "fish", but they lack the other properties of a traditional, or "retro", fish as listed here.

Fun board[link]

The funboard combines elements of both shortboards and longboards and are generally midsized, usually 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 m). The funboard's design allows waves to be caught more easily than a shortboard, yet with a shape that makes it more maneuverable than a longboard; hence it is a popular type of surfboard, especially among beginners, or those transitioning from longboarding to the more difficult shortboarding. This makes it the best design in most people's view due to the combination of the speed of a longboard and the maneuverability of a shortboard.^[8]

Gun[link]

Big wave boards of length 7 to 12 feet (2.1 to 3.7 m). Thin, needle-like template with single, quad (4 fin), or thruster (3 fin) fin set up. It usually looks like a shortboard but at a longboard size. Used at such big waves spots as Waimea Bay and Mavericks.

Longboard[link]

A longboard.

Duke Kahanamoku and longboard, 1920

Balsa Longboard.

The longboard, not to be confused with the skateboard variation of Longboarding, is primarily a single finned surfboard with large rounded nose and length of 9 to 12 feet (2.7 to 3.7 m). Noseriders are a class of longboards which enable the rider to walk to the tip and nose ride. Also called a "Mal", which is a shortened version of Malibu, one of, if not the most popular longboard wave.

Longboards (also known as Malibu boards) range 8 to 14 feet (2.4 to 4.3 m) long, or 3 feet (0.91 m) taller than the rider in overall length. Its advantage is its substantial buoyancy and planing surface, which enables most surfers using it to ride waves generally deemed too small to propel a shortboard, as well as anything else. Longboards are universally common among both beginners and skilled surfers alike. The main reason why longboards are more suitable for beginners is because of the board's size and frequency of catching waves. In the proper conditions, a skilled surfer can ride a wave standing on the nose of a longboard, and put his toes over the nose's edge. By literally putting his "toes on the nose" the surfer can "hang ten".

Classic Longboards[link]

Longboards are the original, and very first variety of board used in standup surfing. Ever since the sixth-century the ancient Hawaiians have used 8-to-30-foot (2.4 to 9.1 m) solid wooden boards when practicing their ancient art of he'e nalu. Surfing was brought to the Hawaiian Islands by Polynesians and has since become popular worldwide. The ancient boards were carved and fashioned out of solid wood, reaching lengths of 10 to 14 feet (3.0 to 4.3 m) long and weighing as much as 150 pounds (68 kg). Both men and women, royalty and commoners surfed. But the longest of boards (the Olo) was reserved for royalty^[9]. During the 19th century, some extreme western missionaries actively discouraged surfing, viewing it as sinful. Surfing almost died out completely. In recent times replicas have been made of Olo's and alaia's by experienced surfers and shapers wishing to explore the roots of the sport.

By the early 20th century, only a handful of people surfed, mostly at Waikiki. But there, it started to grow again. Beginning in 1912, Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian Olympic swimmer in the early 1900s, brought surfing to mainland United States and Australia. Because of this, Duke is considered the "Father of Modern Surfing". From that point on, surfing became an integral part of the California beach lifestyle. In Malibu (in Los Angeles county), the beach was so popular amongst the early surfers that it lent its name to the type of longboard, the Malibu Surfboard. In the 1920s boards made of plywood or planking called Hollowboards came into use. These were typically 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 m) in length and very light. During the 1950s, the surf trend took off dramatically as it obtained a substantial amount of popularity as a sport.^[10] The design and material of longboards in the 1950s changed from using solid wood, to balsa wood. The length of the boards still remained the same at an average of 10.5 feet, and had then become widely produced.^[11]

It was not until the late 50s and early 60s when the surfboard design had closely evolved into today's modern longboard. The introduction of polyurethane foam and fiberglass became the technological leap in design. In the 1960s, the longboard continued to remain popular as its material changed from balsa wood to fiberglass and polyurethane foam. In the 1960s, the introduction of the shortboard, averaging 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m), allowed surfers to make tighter turns, quicker maneuvers, and achieve faster speeds, thus radically changing the way people surfed. This "shortboard revolution" nearly made longboards obsolete for all practical purposes. But in the early 1990s, the longboard returned, integrating a number of the design features invented during the shortboard revolution. Surfers rediscovered the grace and poise – the "glide" – of the longboard, and the fun of classic maneuvers that are not possible on a shortboard. In some circles the battle between longboards and shortboards continues. But many surfers live by a philosophy of finding the joy of surfing a mix of boards and surfing styles to suit the waves of the day.

Modern Longboards[link]

The modern longboard has undergone many changes since its earlier models in the past. Today's longboard is much lighter than its predecessors. Its polyurethane foam and fiberglass design allows less drag on waves. Today's longboards are typically 9 to 10 feet (2.7 to 3.0 m) long, although some ride boards up to 12 feet (3.7 m) in length. Additionally, there is a revival of stand-up paddle-based surfing with boards up to 14 feet (4.3 m) in length (for stability). The classic single-fin longboard retains much of its classic design including a single fin, weight, and considerable buoyancy.^[12] A longboard with a single fin allows the board to pivot turn in order to remain in the curl of the wave. Due to recent advances in technology, the longboard has expanded its family into different variations of the classic longboard.

Tri-Fin[link]

An updated version of the classic longboard, the Tri-fin (also known as Thruster) longboard is featured with three fins underneath the tail rather than the traditional single fin. The Tri-fin's additional two fins on the board allows riders better turning capabilities as well as greater thrust than classic longboards did back in the 1950s. The tri-fin's design incorporates the glide of a longboard and the performance of a shortboard into a single layout.^[12]

The Gun[link]

A newer, more recent addition to the longboard family is the modern longboard gun, also known as "the big wave board". The longboard gun's teardrop-shaped layout pierces through the water when on large waves. Stretching from 9 to 12 feet (2.7 to 3.7 m) in length, the longboard gun incorporates the features of a professional shortboard into a longboard's structure. Its length and volume allow surfers better paddling capabilities before catching a wave. Paddling ability is crucial to a gun, as wave speed is directly proportional to period. Large surf is created by long-period swells, and big waves can travel in excess of 25 miles per hour before breaking.

The 2+1[link]

The 2+1 longboard is the most versatile board of the longboard family, offering greater maneuverability. Sometimes referred as a "single-fin with training wheels", the 2+1's fins actually takes the features of the classic longboard and the Tri-fin. The fins of the 2+1 takes the rigid stability of a classic longboard, and fuses with the strength and drive of a Tri-fin.^[12]

Mini Tanker[link]

The mini tanker is basically a shortened longboard shape that utilizes the same longboard design elements and enhanced maneuverability due to the shorter shape. These boards are normally ridden by women and children which provide smaller individuals with much more control than your traditional 9 foot longboard. ^[13]

The Malibu[link]

Named after Malibu, California, this racy longboard shape is a little narrower than most, with slightly pulled in nose and tail sections for extra maneuverability on Mailbu's famous right hand point. This classic shape has been ridden and praised by experienced surfers for its maneuverability and performance. Classic tricks that can be performed on a Malibu are "Hang Fives" and "Hang tens" whereby the surfer walks to the nose of the board and hangs 5 or 10 toes over the nose, the "soul arch", drop knee turns, head dips, switch stance maneuvers, and so on.

Olo[link]

Originally reserved for royalty due to its size and weight, these wooden boards can exceed lengths of 24 feet (7.3 m) and reach weights up to 200 pounds (91 kg).^[14]

Quad[link]

A "Quad" (reference to the number of fins this type of surfboard has, four) are quick down the line but tend to lose drive through turns.

Parts[link]

A surfer carries a surfboard along the beach

Bottom[link]

The surface of the board that rests on the water.

Concave[link]

Modern surfboards often contain multiple contours on the bottom of the board, termed concaves. These concaves have different uses and vary among different types of surfboards. Most concaves on the modern shortboard begin about twelve inches (300 mm) back from the nose of the board on the bottom and then carry out through the middle to the tail of the surfboard. The purpose of concave is to direct water through the fins of the surfboard. Surfboard shapers can experiment with concaves to create different drive and response characteristics on each individual surfboard.

Convex[link]

Some older and more traditional surfboards along with many modern boards that take inspiration from these older boards utilize a convex rather than concave design on the bottom of the surfboard. These boards displace water and sit lower in the wave than a surfboard with a concave bottom.^[15]

Deck[link]

The surface of the board that the surfer stands on. Surfwax is applied to this surface. Wax comes in different degrees of hardness allowing its application in differing water temperatures.

Fins[link]

The surfboard fin is a stabilizing rudder fixed to the rear of the surfboard to prevent it from sliding sideways. In the early days, surfers would stabilize the board by hanging the toes of their back foot over the edge of the board and would steer by putting their foot in the water. The innovation of a skeg in 1936 — by either or both of Woody "Spider" Brown or Tom Blake^{[citation needed]} — revolutionized surfing, allowing surfers to direct the board's momentum and providing more balance whilst turning.

The template of the modern surfboard fin was developed by George Greenough in the 1960s.^[16] The single fin changed little until the late 70's, when a second was added and popularised by Australian Mark Richards.^[17] The new twin fin set up allowed much more flowing carves to be performed. Mark Richards dominated the world competitive scene from 1979 to 1983. In 1981 another Australian was developing another set up which would again change the face of surfing. His name was Simon Anderson and by attaching a third fin, positioned centrally behind the twin fins, he created the thruster set up^{[citation needed]}. Today, most surfboards still use the same arrangement with its popularity arising from the combined ability for carving turns and providing control and drive.

In the early 90's removable fin systems were developed and embraced. This provides a standardized system that allows fins to be easily removed or replaced, utilising set screws to hold the fins in place. These systems provided surfers with the ability to alter the riding characteristics of a surfboard, by changing the size and shape of fins used. This innovation opened the market to a range of fin designs, including single foiled fins, concave inside surfaces, and curved fins. Another variation of fin was later designed in the time frame known as the soul fin, a sleek bendable attachment.

Tunnel fins were invented in the 60's by Richard Deese,^[18] and were found on longboards by multiple manufacturers of that era, including Dewey Weber. Bob Bolen, A.K.A. 'the Greek', patented the "Turbo Tunnel" in the late 1990s. Since the mid 90's half tunnel fins have mainly been used on very long hollow wooden surfboards.

Bullet Fins were invented in the 2005 by Ron Pettibone to increase surfboard hull planing and rail-to-rail transition speed. The patent-pending fins are based on 50 years of hydrodynamic research on the bulbous bow hull design. Just as with the bow of a ship, the traditional surfboard fin creates a wave as it displaces the water in its path. The resulting turbulence places drag on the surfboard.^[19] The bulb of the Bullet Fin reduces this drag by creating a new (primary) fin wave in front of the original (secondary) wave. This new bulb wave is designed to be nearly 180 degrees out of phase with the original fin wave to subtract its turbulence thus reducing fin drag.

Winged fins are another type of surfboard fin, the genesis of which was America's Cup sailboat design.^[20] The Starfin was designed in the 1980s by the America's Cup yacht designer, Ben Lexcen, who had designed the winged keel for the America's Cup boat, Australia II. The small thruster-sized fin, the RedTip 3D is manufactured by FCS.

Fins with winglets -- tiny wings -- were invented in 2005. The purpose of winglets, as in airplane design, is to increase lift (horizontal turning force in the case of surfboard fins) while reducing drag, by reducing the fin-tip vortex.

Fins with a camber have an asymmetrical profile. In windsurfing camber is used to increase the lift to drag ratio of the fin and to minimise cavitation and the risk of spin-out. In particular windsurfers trying to improve speed records use camber fins, as the maximum performance is required on one down-wind course direction. As the camber is fixed to one side, performance when sailing in one direction is improved but performance in the other way is deteriorated.

Fins with self adjusting camber offer the improved qualities in both port side and starboard side sailing directions.

Leash[link]

The leash attaches a surfboard to the surfer.

A surfboard leash or leg rope is the cord that attaches a surfboard to the surfer. It prevents the surfboard from being swept away by waves and stops runaway surfboards from hitting other surfers and swimmers. Modern leashes comprise a urethane cord where one end has a band with a velcro strap attached to the surfer's trailing foot, and the opposite has a velcro strap attached to the tail end of the surfboard.

Prior to leashes' introduction in 1971, surfers who fell off their boards had to swim to retrieve them with runaway boards being an inconvenience to the surfer and a danger to other surfers. Santa Cruz resident Pat O'Neill is credited with inventing the surf leash^{[citation needed]}. His initial designs consisted of surgical cord attached to a board with a suction cup. At the 1971 Malibu international surfing competition, Pat offered leashes to his competitors in the event. Consequently he was disqualified from the event for wearing his leash, dubbed a kook cord by those at the event. However, over the next year, the leash became a ubiquitous tool in the surfing world.^[21]

Jack O'Neill lost his left eye in a surf leash accident as the surgical tubing used in the early designs allowed the leash to overstretch, causing the surfboard to fly back towards the surfer. Subsequent cords were made with less elastic materials such as bungee cords.^[21]

Leashes are still the source of some contention in surfing today as, although they are now accepted as mandatory equipment for shortboarders, many longboarders refuse to wear them, claiming it interferes with their ability to walk up and down the board.^{[citation needed]} At crowded surf spots with large waves, it is argued that the freedom of not wearing a leash is secondary to the safety of others.

Leash cup[link]

Also known as a "leash plug", is an indentation in the deck of the board close to the tail that contains a small metal bar that a short cord can be girth hitched to for attaching a leash.

Nose[link]

The front tip of the board. This can be pointed or rounded.

Rail[link]

The edges of the board. A rounded rail is called "soft", while a more squared off rail is called "hard", and rails that are in between are considered 50/50.

Rocker[link]

This refers to how much curve the bottom of the board has from nose to tail. Increasing the rocker helps improve a board's performance when it is used in and around tighter curves on the wave face while flattening the curves of the board help it to handle better on flatter sections of water.

Stringer[link]

A thin piece of wood running from nose to tail that increases the strength of the board. Boards have different amount of stringers and some have no stringers.

Tail[link]

The shape of the tail affects how a board responds. Tail shapes vary from square, pin, squash, swallow, diamond, and so on—each one in turn having its own family of smaller variants.

See also[link]

• Longboarding
• Surf culture
• Wind surfing

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Surfboards

Look up surfboard in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Jordy Smith
Personal information
Born	(1988-02-11) 11 February 1988 (age 24) Durban, South Africa
Residence	Glenwood, South Africa Newport Beach, California, USA
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	86 kg (190 lb)
Surfing career
Best year	2010 – 2nd in World Title
Career earnings	$561,180 (as of 30 April 2011)
Sponsors	OAM, On A Mission (traction), Oakley, JS Industries, O'Neill, Red Bull, DaKine, DVS Shoes, Vestal Watches
Surfing specifications
Stance	Natural (regular) foot

Jordan Michael "Jordy" Smith (born 11 February 1988) is a professional surfer from South Africa, competing on the World Championship Tour (WCT).^[1] In 2007 Smith won surfing's World Qualifying Series,^[2] the second-tier tour which leads to qualification for the WCT.

Jordy Smith won both the 2010 and 2011 Billabong J-Bay competitions in South Africa, which is part of the WCT Dream Tour, making him the no. 1 ranked surfer in the world.

Smith grew up in Durban and started surfing at age 6. He attended a local Durban high school, Glenwood High School.

Smith is known for the manoeuvres "rodeo flip" and full rotation "alley-oops' and he has been sponsored by O'Neill since 2007.

ASP World Tour Wins
Year	Event	Venue	Country
2010	Billabong Pro	Jeffreys Bay	South Africa
2011	Billabong Pro	Jeffreys Bay	South Africa

References[link]

External links[link]

• Jordy Smith – Official Website

Kelly Slater
Personal information
Born	(1972-02-11) February 11, 1972 (age 40) Cocoa Beach, Florida, U.S.
Residence	Florida, California and Hawaii
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	160 lb (73 kg)
Surfing career
Years active	1990–present
Best year	Ranked 1st on the ASP World Tour, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011
Career earnings	$3,030,755 (as of 2011)[1]
Sponsors	Quiksilver wetsuits
Major achievements	11 time ASP World Champion Victories: 55 World championship tour (WCT) surfing wins: 48
Surfing specifications
Stance	Regular (natural) foot (left foot forward)
Shaper(s)	Al Merrick
Quiver	5'6", 5'8", 5'10", 6'1", 6'3" and 6'6" boards when on the road
Favorite waves	Kirra and Pipe
Favorite maneuvers	Airs and barrels
Website	kellyslater.com

Robert Kelly Slater (born February 11, 1972, Cocoa Beach, FL, USA) is an American professional surfer known for his competitive prowess and style. He has been crowned ASP World Champion a record 11 times, including 5 consecutive titles from 1994–98. He is the youngest (at age 20) and the oldest (at age 39) to win the title. Upon winning his 5th world title in 1997, Slater passed Australian surfing legend Mark Richards to become the most successful champion in the history of the sport. In 2007 he also became the all-time leader in career event wins by winning the Boost Mobile Pro event at Lower Trestles near San Clemente, California. The previous record was held by Slater's childhood hero, 3-time world champion Tom Curren.^[2]

In addition to the ASP tour, Slater has also competed in the X-Games (in 2003 and 2004). After earlier being awarded the title prematurely as a result of a miscalculation by the ASP, on November 6, 2011 Slater officially won his eleventh ASP world title at the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco, by winning his 4th round heat. In May 2005, in the final heat of the Billabong Tahiti Pro contest at Teahupo'o, Slater became the first surfer ever to be awarded two perfect scores for a total 20 out of 20 points under the ASP two-wave scoring system. (The corresponding honor under the previous three-wave system belongs to fellow American Shane Beschen who achieved the feat in 1996.) Since 1990, Slater has been sponsored primarily by surfwear industry giant Quiksilver.^[3] He exclusively rides Channel Islands surfboards equipped with his own signature series of FCS fins.

Biography[link]

Early life and family[link]

Kelly Slater with fellow pro surfers Rob Machado and Christiaan Bailey

Slater was born on February 11, 1972 in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where he continues to reside. He has a teenage daughter named Taylor. He is of Irish and Syrian ancestry. He has an older brother, Sean, and a younger brother, Stephen.

In his spare time Slater enjoys playing the guitar,composing sonnets and spending quality time with longtime girlfriend, Kalani Miller who often travels and supports him on the ASP World Tour. His favorite surf spots are Sandspit in California, Pipeline in Hawaii, Kirra in Australia, Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, Minis in Ireland, Taghazout in Morocco, Soup Bowls in Barbados, Sebastian Inlet near his home in Florida and Bilgola beach in the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia. his three favourite surfing buddys from Bilgola are Ian morrison, James Burfitt and Jose Viera.^[4] He is also an avid golfer, with a +2 handicap. Slater is interested in the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Some of his surfing inspirations are Tom Curren, Tom Carroll, Mark Occhilupo, Martin Potter, Andy Irons, Shane Dorian, Drew Phelps, Ken Wells, Hunter Collins, and Andrew Bloom.^[5]

Other projects[link]

Slater played the recurring character Jimmy Slade on several episodes of the popular TV show Baywatch in the early 1990s .^[6] He appeared in an episode of the reality show The Girls Next Door, and has also starred in many surf films throughout his career.

In the late '90s Slater, along with friends and fellow pro surfers Rob Machado and Peter King, formed a band called The Surfers. The trio released an album in 1998 titled Songs From the Pipe, a reference to the famous surf spot Pipeline on Oahu, Hawaii. Aside from his Love of surfing, Kelly also toured Australia with his band, performing in venues such as the Opera House, and parliament house. He was also given an honourary membership to the Rickson Cricket Club in northwest Sydney.

Slater performed a song with Ben Harper during Harper's concert in Santa Barbara. on August 1, 2006. He also performed "Rockin' in The Free World" with grunge band Pearl Jam on the July 7, 2006 in San Diego. In 1999, he appeared alongside Garbage singer Shirley Manson in the promotional video for the band's single "You Look So Fine". He played a man washed up on a seashore, then rescued by Manson.

A video game named Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer, by Treyarch and published by Activision, was released in 2002. Slater also appeared as a playable character in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 prior to this, complete with a surfboard.

In 2003 Slater released his autobiography, Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey. In 2008 he released a second book with Phil Jarratt, entitled Kelly Slater: For the Love.

Slater is passionate about preserving oceans globally and protecting temperate reefs in California through his relationship with Reef Check.

On May 8, 2010 the United States House of Representatives honored Slater in H. Res. 792 for his "outstanding and unprecedented achievements in the world of surfing and for being an ambassador of the sport and excellent role model."^[7] This resolution, sponsored by Florida representative Bill Posey and sponsored by 10 representatives, passed without objection by a voice vote.^[8]

Slater is also on the Board of Advisors (the Ocean Advocacy Advisory Board) of ocean conservation organization Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.^[9]

Stats[link]

Slater surfing in the Boost Mobile Pro at Trestles

Slater at Trestles, San Clemente State Beach, California

• WCT victories: 49
• World titles: 11

On 9/15/07, Kelly Slater passed Tom Curren's long standing WCT tour victory record of 33 with his win at the Boost Mobile Pro at Lowers Trestles.

2012 Stats and results[link]

World ranking: Currently 8th
Points: 13,700

Event results in 2012^[10]
Quiksilver Pro presented by Land Rover, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 5th
Rip Curl Pro presented by Ford Ranger, Bells Beach, (Victoria, Australia): 2nd
Billabong Rio Pro, Brazil: INJ

2011 Stats and results[link]

World ranking: 2011 Champion
Points: 68,100

Event results in 2011^[11]
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 1st
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, (Victoria, Australia): 5th
Billabong Rio Pro (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): 1st
Nike Pro US Open (Huntington Beach, California, USA): 1st
Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 1st
Quiksilver Pro New York (Long Beach, New York, USA): 2nd
Hurley Pro Lower Trestles (Orange County, California, USA): 1st
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 5th
Rip Curl Pro Portugal (Peniche, Portugal): 2nd
Rip Curl Search (Ocean Beach, San Francisco, USA): 5th
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 3rd

2010 Stats and results[link]

World ranking: 2010 Champion
Points: 69000

Event results in 2010^[12]
Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 9th
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach (Australia): 1st
Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil): 2nd
Billabong Pro (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa): 17th
Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 3rd
Hurley Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, CA): 1st
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 2nd
Rip Curl Pro Portugal (Peniche, Portugal): 1st
Rip Curl Pro Search 2010 (Middles Beach, Isabela, Puerto Rico): 1st
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 3rd

2009 Stats and results[link]

World ranking: 6th.
Points: 6136

Event results in 2009^[13]
Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 17th
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach (Australia): 17th
Billabong Pro, Tahiti (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 17th
Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil): 1st
Billabong Pro (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa): 9th
Hurley Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, CA): 3rd
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 5th
Billabong Pro, Mundaka (Mundaka, Spain): 3rd
Rip Curl Search (Peniche, Portugal): 17th
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 2nd

2008 Stats and results[link]

World ranking: 2008 Champion
Points: 8832

Event results
Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 1st
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach (Australia): 1st
Billabong Pro, Tahiti (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 17th
Globe Pro, Fiji (Tavarua, Fiji): 1st
Billabong Pro, J-Bay (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa): 1st
Rip Curl Search (Bali, Indonesia): 17th
Boost Mobile Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, CA): 1st
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 2nd
Billabong Pro, Mundaka (Mundaka, Spain): 9th
Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil): DNS
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 1st

History of wins[link]

2011

• Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia)
• Nike US Open (Huntington Beach, CA)
• Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Tahiti)
• Hurley Pro Trestles (California, USA)

2010

• Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia)
• Hurley Pro (Lower Trestles, California, USA)
• Rip Curl Pro (Peniche, Portugal)
• Rip Curl Search (Middles, Isabela, Puerto Rico)

2009

• Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil)

2008

• Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia)
• Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia)
• Glove Pro Fiji (Cloudbreak, Restaurants – Tavarua, Fiji)
• Billabong Pro J-Bay (Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa)
• Boost Mobile Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California)
• Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, North Shore Oahu, Hawaii)

2007

• Boost Mobile Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California)

2006

• Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia)
• Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia)

2005

• Billabong Pro (Teahupoo, Tahiti)
• The Globe WCT (Fiji)
• Billabong Pro (South Africa)
• Boost Mobile Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California)

2004

• Snickers Australian Open (QS)
• Energy Australia Open (QS)

2003

• Billabong Pro (Teahupoo, Tahiti)
• Billabong Pro (South Africa)
• Billabong Pro (Mundaka, Spain)
• Nova Schin Festival (Brazil)

2002

• The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau (Specialty-Hawaii)

2000

• Gotcha Tahiti Pro presented by Globe (Tahiti)

1999

• Mountain Dew Pipe Masters (Hawaii)

1997

• Coke Surf Classic (Australia)
• Billabong Pro (Australia)
• Tokushima Pro (Japan)
• Marui Pro (Japan)
• Kaiser Summer Surf WCT (Brazil)
• Grand Slam (Specialty-Australia)
• Typhoon Lagoon Surf Challenge (Specialty-USA)

1996

• Coke Surf Classic (Australia)
• Rip Curl Pro Saint Leu (Reunion Island)
• CSI pres. Billabong Pro (South Africa)
• U.S. Open (California)
• Rip Curl Pro Hossegor (France)
• Quiksilver Surfmasters (France)
• Chiemsee Pipe Masters (Hawaii)
• Sud Ouest Trophee (Specialty-France)
• Da Hui Backdoor Shootout (Specialty-Hawaii)

1995

• Quiksilver Pro (Indonesia)
• Chiemsee Pipe Masters (Hawaii)
• Triple Crown of Surfing (Specialty-Hawaii)

1994

• Rip Curl Pro (Australia)
• Gotcha Lacanau Pro (France)
• Chiemsee Pipe Masters (Hawaii)
• The Bud Surf Tour (WQS-USA)
• The Bud Surf Tour (WQS-USA)
• Sud Ouest Trophee (Specialty-France)

1993

• Marui Pro (Japan)

1992

• Rip Curl Pro Landes (France)
• Marui Pipe Masters (Hawaii)

1990

• Body Glove Surfbout Trestles (California)

Filmography[link]

Films[link]

"Ultimate Wave Tahiti" (2010)
"Bustin Down the Door" (2008)
"One Track Mind" (2008)
"Kelly Slater Letting Go" (2008)
"Waveriders" 2008)
"Surf's Up" (2007)
"Down the Barrel" (2007)
"Surfers – The Movie" (1990)
"Bra Boys" (2007)
"The Ocean" (2008)
"One Night at McCool's" (2001)
"Letting Go" (2006)
"Young Guns 1, 2 & 3" (2004–2008)
"Campaign 2" (2005)
"Doped Youth" 'Groovy Avalon' (2004)
"Kelly Slater in Black and White" (1991)
"Endless Summer II" (1994)
"Wave Warriors 3"
"A Fly in the Champagne" (2009) (featuring Kelly Slater and Andy Irons)
"Cloud 9" (2009)
"Riding Giants" (2004)
"Step into Liquid" (2003)
"Thicker than Water" (2000)
"Fighting Fear" (2011)
"September Sessions" (2002)
"Kelly Slater In Kolor" (1997) <br

Cameo appearance[link]

"Surf's Up" (2007)

Television[link]

Baywatch, 10 episodes

The Girls Next Door, "Surf's Up" 1 episode

Bibliography[link]

• Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey (2003) ISBN 0-06-009629-2
• Kelly Slater: For the Love (2008) ISBN 0-8118-6222-4

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kelly Slater

• Kelly Slater the Official Website
• Kelly Slater Photo Gallery at Outside Online
• Kelly Slater at the Internet Movie Database
• Kelly Slater Pictures & Wallpapers^{[dead link]}
• Kelly Slater Interview
• Interview with Kelly Slater and Eddie Vedder Regarding Surfing and Their Friendship
• Kelly Slater In SPIN's November Issue
• Kelly Slater Shares His Memories of Rival Andy Irons at The Inertia
• Kelly Slater isn't new world champ yet; ASP says it made an error

Matthew Kyle Watson (born September 5, 1978 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) is an outfielder who is currently with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Watson was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 16th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft.

In 2002, Watson was traded with Phil Seibel and Scott Strickland to the New York Mets for Bruce Chen, Luis Figueroa, Dicky Gonzalez and a player to be named later, who would be Saul Rivera. Watson made his major league debut with the Mets in 2003.

Following the 2003 season, Watson was selected off waivers by the Oakland Athletics. He spent 2004 in the minors, and played for the Athletics in 2005.

The Chiba Lotte Marines purchased Watson from the A's after the 2005 season. Watson spent the next two seasons in Japan.

In 2008, he played for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. In 76 games, he batted .290.

He signed with the Doosan Bears in South Korea in January 2009, but was released in May 2009. He joined his hometown Lancaster Barnstormers in July 2009 after a brief stint in the New York Mets system.

He rejoined the Athletics organization in 2010, and was again promoted to the major leagues. On July 21, 2010 he hit his first career home run off of Clay Buchholz of the Boston Red Sox.

External links[link]

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

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