“Surprised” Kelly Slater Once Revealed How Countries Like Iran and Afghanistan Make Him Proud of Surfing Culture

Everyone is aware of Kelly Slater’s outstanding prowess to trounce the crest of the wave. Whether it is Hawaii’s infamous Pipeline or Peahi’s ferocious Jaws, the 11x world surf league champion has paddled every vicious wave with authenticity. However, some of the middle-eastern oceanic ripples he surfed surprised him in the most delightful way. 

A couple of years back, the wave demigod, Kelly Slater talked about his fascination for the Mediterranean and the Eastern European surfing culture. So, what does Slater have to say about the middle-eastern surfing abode? Let’s find out.

Kelly Slater got astounded by the Middle Eastern surfing culture

In 2019, Slater visited Miyazaki, Japan for participating in the ISA World Surfing games. Interestingly, during media coverage, he answered a series of questions revolving around his beloved sport. At one point, the host asked the surfer an intriguing question about what surprised him the most.

Answering the host’s intrigue, Slater mentioned the participants from the countries like “Iran, and Afghanistan” and “all the Mediterranean Eastern European countries that show up always surprise me”. Moreover, he further expressed his delight for the “standing waves but no real ocean waves” of Germany. 

Read More:“Could Easily Be Chipped or Broken”: Kelly Slater’s Mother Restored the Surfing Legend’s Prized Possession From 1993 Pipe Masters

Interestingly, Slater praised the middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries for preserving the surfing culture, even though they don’t have the ocean geographically. “It’s cool to see that the culture is alive and well in those places”, added the surfer. 

Slater 2019 ISA World Surfing Games

In 2019, Slater’s passion for surfing made him fly to the Asian continent. At the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games, Slater represented team USA. Interestingly, through his commendable surfing prompts, impressive barrels, and aerial surfing tricks, the then 47-year-old surfing prodigy bagged 5th place among the 137 other surfers. 

Moreover, the surfer also received plaudits from his fans for his momentous triumph at ISA 2019. Following the games, the surfer shared his perspective and opines about various subjects revolving around surfing, in the interview. 

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