When it comes to family, even the fiercest competitor will drop everything to fight a different kind of battle. For surfing icon Kelly Slater, that fight wasn’t in the water—it was for his father’s life. In 2001, his dad was diagnosed with a deadly illness that forced Kelly to make an emotional and financial decision: spend $80,000 on alternative treatments or watch his father’s health slip away.

In his book, Slater doesn’t just talk about the tough times he faced; he also dives into those special moments of connection that transformed their relationship for good. So, how did everything play out? What exactly did Slater take away from this whole experience? It’s really interesting to think about, isn’t it? You know, sometimes it’s those little moments that really hit home, and honestly, Slater’s thoughts on all this might just catch you off guard.

A father’s selflessness and a son’s determination

When faced with a life-or-death situation, Kelly Slater’s dad did what most parents would do without thinking—he prioritized his kid. Even while grappling with a heartbreaking illness, his mind was all about Kelly’s future, not his own battle for survival. Slater remembers vividly the day their doctor, Keith, presented an alternative treatment plan that came with a jaw-dropping price tag. “My dad saw the figure and said, ‘I’m going home. You’re not spending that kind of money on me.’” That $80,000? It wasn’t just for regular care or a standard procedure.

Dr. Keith’s plan was pretty out there, involving some expensive medications and alternative methods that insurances just wouldn’t touch. “Some of those drugs are really expensive, and since his method is seen as alternative, well, a lot of it just isn’t covered by insurance,” Slater shared. Even though his dad was totally against it, Kelly stood his ground. You see, years of riding the waves, he had managed to save up some money, and there was no way he was going to hold back when it came to helping save his father. But let’s be real—it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

Dr. Keith, who was based in Chicago, really wanted Slater’s dad to move there for the treatment. But leaving Florida? Nah, that just wasn’t going to happen. His father had lived there his whole life, and he wasn’t about to give up his friends, family, or the comfort of those familiar beaches. So, they came to a bit of a middle ground—Dr. Keith agreed to manage the treatment from afar. This way, Kelly’s dad could still get the care he needed without having to leave the people and places that meant so much to him.

Kelly Slater’s father finding strength and connection in the struggle

The recovery journey? Yeah, it was tough. After undergoing surgery that took out his jugular vein, lymph nodes, and parts of his neck muscles, Slater’s father faced some serious limitations. No more surfing, casting a fishing rod, or even enjoying a cold beer with his buddies. He lost thirty pounds and a lot of what made up his daily life. But you know what? Amid all those physical challenges, something pretty amazing happened: the illness actually brought father and son closer than ever before. “Facing mortality helped him own up to a lot of his past mistakes, and we were finally able to move on,” Slater shared. They had a memorable trip to Hawaii in 2001, where his dad got to see him compete at the iconic Pipe Masters for the first time. Kelly made it to the finals and snagged second place, but honestly, the real win was way more personal than that.

Slater noticed that instead of kicking back in the yard with friends, his dad always chose to stand on the beach during his heats. It wasn’t until a year later, during another hospital stay, that the truth finally came out. “He told me he was so proud of me that he ended up in tears during every single heat. He didn’t want anyone to see him cry, so he had to step away.” That quiet pride—hidden behind tears and those solitary moments—says so much about the bond they had. The whole journey wasn’t just about battling illness; it was really about finding a deeper connection and healing in their relationship.

And what about the $80,000 Kelly Slater invested in his dad’s treatment? It wasn’t merely about trying to save a life. It was more about cherishing the time they had left and creating a bond that illness couldn’t break. In his book, Slater doesn’t just recount this as another hardship; rather, he reminds us that family, well, family is worth every single sacrifice we can make.