Surf Safari

KELLY Slater is a lot of things - surfing God, movie star, musician, greenie, he has even gone out with Pamela Anderson but yesterday he was just a surfer.

Picture: Craig Warhurst

KELLY Slater is a lot of things - surfing God, movie star, musician, environmentalist, he has even gone out with Pamela Anderson but yesterday he was just another surfer chasing huge waves thrown up by Cyclone Hamish at Rainbow Beach.

The nine times World Surfing Champion and ex Baywatch star had just finished competing at the Quicksilver Pro at Kirra on the Gold Coast.

He and six other friends including ex Australian Iron Man champion Trevor Hendy travelled to Rainbow for a chance to surf cyclonic swell at Double Island Point.

The group set off from Rainbow's main beach in two jet skis and a rubber ducky across lumpy surf, because high seas had cut off 4WD access to the point.

On his return from the Double Island, Slater who is used to surfing the worlds best breaks said although it was good having the waves all to himself the surf was a bit disappointing.

“There was not much surf up there today, we have been chasing big swell from the cyclone but today was more of a jet ski than a surf,” he said.

The American surfer said the trip on the jet ski had been enjoyable while taking in the views of the Coloured Sands.

“The coastline along here is beautiful, especially all the different colours,” he said.

Slater's unexpected appearance at Rainbow had the small town humming and more than a few locals taking a second glance.

One of those was Rainbow Beach surfer Jake Parton.

He and partner Bobby Jo (BJ) were heading down to check out the surf before dropping the kids off at school.

“BJ noticed him straight away,” Jake said.

“I spotted him as I was driving past, I recognised his bald head,” BJ said.

Jake pulled his 4WD over and asked if he could get a photo with the kids.

“He said, 'Yeah what are you waiting for,'” Jake said.

As they were having their photo taken Slater talked to the couple about the surf at Double and Noosa.

“It was a real buzz,” Jake said.

“It was a melting moment,” BJ laughed.

The couple said it was the most famous person they had ever met.

“He's not my favourite surfer, because he is American,” Jake laughed.

“But he is still a legend.”

When Jake says Slater is a legend he is not wrong.

He has been World Champion a record nine times, including five consecutive titles.

He is the youngest winner at age 20 and the oldest at 36. Upon winning his fifth world title in 1997, Slater passed Australian surfing legend Mark Richards to become the most successful champion in the history of the sport and arguably the most successful professional sportsperson ever.

Originally published as Surf Safari