Kelly Slater stands as an icon in surfing, holding the distinction of being both the youngest and the oldest world surfing champion among men. In 2024, aiming to continue his surfing legacy, he returned to the waves to give fans a thriller at the Lexus Pipe Pro. But, he had a bit of a rough time at the competition and got knocked out pretty early.

However, his comeback was a journey filled with a bone-chilling reality, and recently he clapped back, silencing the haters about this setback and the reason behind it.

Kelly Slater shares the secret behind his fitness and claps back at haters

In an interview with Men’s Health, 52-year-old Kelly Slater sat down and shared the healthy habits he maintains to continue his career in surfing, which has spanned over 30 years. Being the most decorated surfer in history, Slater shared three important habits: his diet, exercise routine, and recovery to maintain longevity.

But while sharing his journey and healthy routine, a moment stood out in the interview when Kelly Slater shared how he manages to go strong despite his age. He clapped back at haters with a word of advice, stating, “I think I keep doing this because I know I can beat anyone.” Initially sounding like a bold claim, Slater’s recent bone-chilling comeback underscored the chilling reality behind this statement.

What was the reasoning behind the bold claim?

Weeks ago, Kelly Slater entered the 2024 Lexus Pipe Pro. But early on in the competition, the icon got knocked out. However, the reason for his not-so-great performance had a significant backstory. Months before the competition, Kelly Slater had hip surgery in September 2023. He even admitted in an interview that while competing, he questioned whether he should even be in the water. Before his Pipe Pro setback, he took to Instagram on February 1, sharing a picture of himself barreling through a tall wave at the Banzai Pipeline.

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He confessed that he wasn’t at full strength with his turns but expressed gratitude, writing, “Happy to be surfing again after 4 month recovery from hip surgery.” Despite his age and enduring a tough period, Slater proved that age is just a number when you pursue your passions. His recent interview with Men’s Health reinforced this notion, as he shared, “I don’t know anyone in the world who becomes the best at something without being obsessive.”

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