The waves in El Salvador are cranking right now. In one of the most anticipated WSL events of the 2023 season, surfers from all around the globe will compete for points. Kelly Slater, an icon of surfing, is also participating despite a slow start to the 2023 season. The GOAT is presently ranked 21st in the WSL and has never even finished on the podium this season. This time he went up against Gabriel Medina, a Brazilian surfer who has won the World Surf League three times. Medina beat Slater by 2.6 points in the heat in El Salvador after a couple of rounds of drifts and aerials. Despite finishing 17th, Slater gives a candid piece about his heated battle with the Brazilian surfer.

Gabriel Medina eliminated Kelly Slater, and the Brazilian surfer posted a picture of the two of them on social media, which quickly gained widespread attention. With Slater’s 11 and Medina’s 3 world titles in the photo, it was destined for Internet fame. Slater also commented on the photo, showing that despite their fierce competition on the waves, the surfers are still companions.

Still buddies after the fierce surfing battle

Witnessing Slater and Medina go at it was a spectacular sight. The greatest surfer of all time got the opening wave and rode it for a couple of drifts, earning a total of 10.60 points (5.40 + 5.20) over two heats. But Medina, who showed off some great aerials, earned 7.50 in the first heat and 5.70 in the second for a 13.20 total. This gave Medina a 2.6-point advantage, and Slater finished 17th in the El Salvador competition. The Brazilian surfer moved forward to the next round.

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After the battle, Gabriel Medina and Kelly Slater posed for an Instagram picture together, showing no signs of displeasure. “Always a pleasure surfing with you buddy.” he captioned. “Big respect.” To which he added, “Keep inspiring us all.” Although Medina is well aware of his victory against the 11-time WSL champion, he still holds Slater in high regard due to the latter’s extensive surfing experience. Slater also responded to Medina with the sincere words, “You the man,” further cementing his status as a legend in his own right. “Always good to have heats with you when I can! Good surfing.” It seems that the surfing superstar had a great time interacting with up-and-coming surfers.

In El Salvador, Gabriel Medina’s season got off to a great start as he upset the all-time great Kelly Slater. After his controversial elimination at the last WSL tournament, this was just what he needed.

Why the Surf Ranch Pro was full of controversies?

Griffin Colapinto won the prior WSL event, the Surf Ranch Pro, with a dominant performance. But after Australian Ethan Ewing ousted Gabriel Medina, he expressed his displeasure with the WSL’s judging process on Instagram. Many Brazilians agreed with him and went out to argue about the fairness of the WSL’s scoring system.

However, after a few days, WSL CEO Erik Logan addressed the online controversy over the league’s judging process. He dismissed the allegations in a letter, writing, “These claims are not supported by any evidence.” As a result of the letter’s thorough explanation of the WSL judgment criteria, tensions among the community have subsided.

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