Paris Olympics: 16 Years of Fighting for Recognition, Kelly Slater Extends Gratitude to Surfing President Fernando Aguerre on Retirement Day

Surfing legend Kelly Slater’s retirement has left a lacuna in his fans’ minds ahead of Paris. However, his contribution to the sport, along with his shining career, is enough to establish that grin back. Winning the world title 11 times is no mean feat, and Kelly Slater has achieved the same with uncanny ease.

Becoming a name synonymous with surfing, the American surfer clinched victories in 56 events overall. And now that he is bidding adieu to the sport, Slater is returning flowers to the ones who deserve it. One such person is the President of the International Surfing Association, Fernando Aguerre. In a recent social media post, Slater extended his gratitude for Aguerre. He spoke about how, without Fernando, surfing wouldn’t even be in the Olympics. 

Kelly Slater heaps praises on the ISA President, the latter who put surfing on the global map

The 11x World Champion shared a picture of him with Fernando Aguerre in his Instagram story. Thanking the ISA President for acknowledging him, Slater pointed out how his surfing events define the rich culture of the sport. He also referred to Aguerre’s constant hard work and struggle to finally make surfing an Olympic sport. Slater wrote, “Fernando single-handedly pushed for surfing to be an Olympic sport for many years until finally making it a reality in Japan.” 

Well, it has been a long struggle for the ISA President to make the IOC recognize surfing in the Games. Aguerre and his team worked tirelessly for almost thirty long years to put surfing in the Olympics. While being asked the secret of being able to keep going, a smiling Aguerre said, “I’m just trying to have a good time.” Finally, all of his hard work paid off when surfing was being contested for the first time at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. 

Even though Slater has won almost everything in his career, the status of being an Olympian eluded him. In Tokyo, Slater missed his spot by a whisker. Well, the hopes of Slater making it to Paris were high this time. However, an unfortunate announcement in 2023 shut the Olympic doors for Slater forever. 

Slater not going to Paris Olympics 2024

Back in mid-2023, fans were expecting a miraculous turnaround for Kelly Slater. Although his performance was not top-notch, an outside chance at the 2024 ISA Surfing Games was not ruled out. When Federico Ferroni, the Media Director of ISA acknowledged the possibility of a third Team USA slot, the hopes ignited further. Unfortunately, that would soon turn out to be a daydream. 

While in conversation with Peter Townsend, the ex-USA Surfing CEO, Greg Cruse explained the situation. According to Cruse, even if there was a third opening, the eligible candidate would be the one “that finished in the semifinals or better that is not one of the top 2 surfers in the CT rankings.” This statement in itself was self-explanatory, and thus Kelly Slater’s dreams of being in the Olympics never became a reality.