Kelly Slater wins 11th ASP World Title

Ten-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater, who wowed spectators in Long Beach during the Quiksilver Pro N.Y. in September, went on to clinch his 11th ASP World Title on Wednesday in San Francisco, in what is being described as an historic and unprecedented win for the iconic surfer.

According to Quiksilver, Slater, 39, is the first surfer to achieve 11 ASP World Titles, an accomplishment that spans two decades of an astounding career during which he has dominated competitive surfing as both the youngest and oldest ASP World Champion.

Slater won the 2011 ASP World Title during the third round of competition at the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco, where he faced Australia’s Daniel Ross. In pristine three-to-five foot peaks at Ocean Beach, Slater fought back during his heat after a strong start from Ross and went on to claim victory in what the Association of Surfing Professionals described as part of a banner year for the iconic Floridian. Slater has made five of nine finals to date and boasts three victories on the ASP World Tour.

In September, Slater made it to the finals of the Quik Pro N.Y., the sixth of 11 stops on the Association of Surfing Professionals' World Tour where he was defeated by Australia’s Owen Wright, though for Slater, it is considered one of two runner-up finishes on the tour.

“The 10th World Title seemed harder to me and felt like a 2 year journey—really it felt like 20 year journey to get to the 10th. This year that was done, and I could put it in the past,” Slater told the ASP. “And there were questions about the 11th but it didn’t symbolize what 10 did for people. This year was a little bit under the radar and I felt like I started off fresh. Part of it is people always talk about my age and you know I’m 39, almost 40, and to me that’s literally just a number. You can prove people wrong and stay super healthy. I don’t see why at 50 I can’t be in better shape than I am now. If anything I’d like to try to represent that to people. I eat well and I talk about it and I walk the walk and it shows in my ability physically.”

Slater’s previous ASP World Championship victories were made in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010. His career victories also include 48 elite tour wins and two ESPN X Games gold medals.

“Kelly’s incredible drive and determination as a competitive athlete is phenomenal to witness,” said Bob McKnight, CEO of Quiksilver. “After two decades of watching him conquer so many milestones in professional surfing, we are once again proud and amazed to be here to watch him win an 11th World Title. Congratulations Kelly!”