Slater surfs to ninth world title
TVNZ 'Kelly Slater wrapped up his ninth world surfing title by winning his third round heat at the Billabong Pro Mundaka in Spain on Saturday.
The American beat local Basque wild card entrant Eneko Acero 14.96 points to 10.00 in tricky 1.5 to two metre waves in the Mundaka rivermouth.
Slater cannot be overtaken in the championship standings despite two more events remaining in the 11-round world championship tour.
The 36-year-old from Florida has won five of the eight events completed so far in the most dominant campaign in pro surfing history.
"It's going to take a little while to sink in," Slater said when mobbed at the waters edge...'
0 Replies
This surfing life
The Australian
'THE image I have in my mind's eye is one of purpose and poise. I see myself balanced and at one with the board.
Gracefully, effortlessly I paddle out through the breakers to take my position in the line-up.
As the next set comes through I swivel my board without hesitation. As the lip of the wave curls above me I set off at just the right time.
Amid the dull roar of crashing waves I emerge confidently on my feet. Peeling off the point at Fingal Headland, I am afforded a ride all the way to the beach on a sequence of interlocking waves. I feel as if I could conquer the world. I shout this to the seagulls and in their way, they applaud loudly.
It has been 10 years since I have done something like this. In the aftermath of an amicable but nonetheless intensely painful divorce, surfing became the fall guy...'
0 Replies
Pictured: The terrifying moment a surfer rides a wave... with a killer shark
The Daily Mail 'This is the adrenaline-pumping moment surfer Fergal Smith catches a 'tube' completely unaware he is sharing the wave with a Great White shark.
Mr Smith, 21, from Ireland was surfing two miles off the coast of Perth in Western Australia when he found himself just a few feet from the 500 pound monster.
The holidaymaker only realised his close encounter when photographer Phil Gallagher showed him the photo of the shark lurking under the water in front of Mr Smith's surfboard...'
'Kelly Slater wrapped up his ninth world surfing title by winning his third round heat at the Billabong Pro Mundaka in Spain on Saturday.
'This is the adrenaline-pumping moment surfer Fergal Smith catches a 'tube' completely unaware he is sharing the wave with a Great White shark.
