Since 1990, Kelly Slater has maintained a close bond with the World Surf League. He started by winning the Bud Pro Tour (the qualifying tour of WSL). On the route, he claimed 11 WSL titles and innumerable tours. However, apart from winning titles and tours, Slater also made bonds with fellow surfers, down the line. He came across several individuals who later became close to his heart. One such had been a world tour surfer who later became a broadcaster, John Shimooka.

Kelly enjoyed his camaraderie with John through thick and thin. But in 2020, something heartbreaking happened. Kelly’s surfing mate died, and the loss shattered the legend’s heart. Afterward, things never turned the same. Slater had to reconcile with the situation. But deep down there, he kept on missing his deceased friend. Recently, that emotion came into the public. How? 

On January 4, Kelly Slater reshared a clip on his Instagram story. Nalufilms had originally uploaded the clip. It was on John ‘Shmoo’ Shimooka. The shared clip framed Shimooka in one of his off-surfing moments when he was on a golf course. However, in the original clip, Nalufilms captioned the post calling Shimooka “Larger than life personality with a great sense of humor.” Kelly revealed a few more things about Shimooka in his Instagram story. 

In the caption of his Instagram story on John Shimooka, Kelly wrote, “RIP old friend. Shmoo loved his golf. Always the best dressed, too.” The attached clip had the proof of it—Shmoo in the golf shirt and the usual golf pants with a stud in his ear. He donned everything so perfectly. No one could have guessed him as someone who had spent long summers piercing the waves. That had been his aura once! But what happened to him in 2020 that separated him from Kelly Slater forever? 

During those days in 2020, Kelly’s old mate worked for Surfing NSW. In 2018, he took up the role of general manager of partnerships and continued it until his last day. However, John Shimooka’s death came as unexpected. In his 40s, he was engaged with his official work and contained life. Nonetheless, the NSW Police found his body unconscious in his residence. Later, the official spokesperson said, “On arrival, officers located a man unconscious inside the home. The officers rendered first aid before NSW Ambulance paramedics took over, but he died at the scene.” Was there something fishy? 

The cops didn’t hold such an angle. In the official note, the spokesperson said, “At this stage, there doesn’t appear to be any suspicious circumstances. A report will be prepared for information of the coroner.”

Later, no such suspicious angle came to the public. The corps continued with a death report. Meanwhile, organizations like the World Surf League and Surfing NSW paid tribute to the deceased surfer. Belonging to the same sport and Hawaii, Kelly Slater dropped some emotional words in his friend’s death. Furthermore, the sport the duo shared once had a special way of making John Shimooka immortal. 

Kelly Slater’s friend received a special 

From 1989 to 1998, John Shimooka remained heavily involved in the World Surfing League tours. Since then, Kelly Slater has been watching him. The loss naturally meant the ending of an episode to him. Kelly expressed those feelings on social media in his tribute note.

The line read, “My heart’s ripped out. I’m sorry, Shmoo. I thought we had this.” The loss was irreparable, not only for Slater but also for the entire sport. So, Surfing NSW employed an effort to keep his memory alive. 

In 2022, Surfing NSW introduced the Aloha Award in memory of John Shimooka. Regarding criteria, both male and female surfers can achieve the award. But before that, they will have to fulfill certain conditions. The surfers who possess enthusiasm and a sense of community, radiating positivity and aloha throughout the year, will be the prime selection.

Their accomplishments could range across various areas such as competitive surfing, coaching roles, mental health advocacy, surf rescue endeavors, boardrider clubs, commentary, or surfing administration. Thus, Kelly Slater’s long-gone friend made a place in the history pages.