Fans are the biggest supporters of an athlete. While their affection is endless, their tribute is simply remarkable. One such tribute is given to surfing legend Kelly Slater. His fans have thanked the legend’s contribution to the surfing world and his hometown through a 10-foot-tall lifelike statue that has become a tourist attraction. 

The tribute has been standing there for 14 years. But what is more astonishing is the fact that Kelly Slater gave his first-ever reaction to the art piece just recently! The renowned athlete, known for his unparalleled skills and numerous championship titles, reminisced about the momentous occasion and shared his candid thoughts on how the gift has impacted his life and legacy in the sport.

Kelly Slater’s initial shout-out to the statue artist 

On Instagram, one user shared their affection for the statue, resharing which Kelly Slater wrote, “Statue getting some love. I was first quite shy and reluctant about this but I’m very proud and happy my city and artist Tasha Drazich honored me with such a great piece”. The whole statue was sculpted in Bronze, and the person behind the marvel was Tasha Drazich, a local artist. However, ever since its establishment, the 11-time world champion came forward and expressed his gratitude for the first time. The statement expresses his happiness and pride Kelly Slater possesses for his fans, especially the artist behind this masterpiece. 

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The Cocoa Beach, Florida dedicated this statue to the hometown-hero Kelly Slater on November 17, 2010. The day was even named as “Kelly Slater Day”. The whole statue took two-years to be completed. The statue is one of only 24 around the globe that is dedicated to surfing. There is another statue of Kelly Slater, and it is also situated in the same Cocoa Beach. This level of dedication is the result of his legendary achievements. The accomplishments Kelly Slater holds with his name is like walking on the moon, and won’t happen again anytime soon.

The GOAT, and why we call him so

Kelly Slater is simply referred to as the GOAT (greatest-of-all-time) in surfing world. He has adorned his name with almost every achievement surfing world offers, with 11 World Titles, and 56 other titles. He holds the record for being both youngest and the oldest men’s world surfing champion. The GOAT earned his first World Championship at the age of 20, and his last world title while being 39-year old. 

Despite Opposition From His Brother, Massive Kelly Slater Statue, Dubbed ‘Dangerous,’ Receives Major Jolt

He has won the prestigious Pipeline Masters event on several occasions, showcasing his mastery of challenging waves at Pipeline in Hawaii. As a legendary figure in surfing, Slater’s journey has not only been marked by unparalleled achievements but also by the meaningful gestures that honor his contributions to the sport. Despite retiring this year, he is looking forward to qualifying for the Paris Olympics 2024. With this aim, the surfing world is excited to witness his one last achievement.