Crowd brave weather to watch 11-time Surfing World Champion Kelly Slater at Gold Coast Pro

Eleven-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater hit the water for the Gold Coast Pro on Sunday, adding serious star power to the contest.

Eleven-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater hit the water for the Gold Coast Pro on Sunday, adding serious star power to the contest.

Slater, facing fellow American Michael Dunphy and Australian surfers George Pittar and Oscar Berry, didn’t progress but still put on a world-class show at Snapper Rocks in front of thousands looking on despite rain.

Slater was one of 64 surfers to hit the water on Sunday trying to break into the top 32 as the competition heats up.

Eleven-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater of the United States surfs in the Snapper World Champs Heat at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro on April 27, 2024 at Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. (Photo by Andrew Shield/World Surf League)

The rain set in during the afternoon but didn’t deter crowds from flocking to Snapper Rocks to watch the 11-time world champion.

One onlooker, Airlie Element, said she’d been surfing since she was six years old and was excited to see champion Slater in the water.

“I think not a lot of people get to see Kelly Slater in person and to be there on potentially his last time (on the Gold Coast).

“It’s like do you watch AFL? I go for the Sydney Swans and I was there when Buddy (Lance Franklin) scored his 1000th goal – and I feel like this is just as special,” she said.

Aussie George Pittar jumped into the water first as the rain fell heavier during the heat, starting with a 5.50 on his first wave.

But the crowds’ eyes were focused on Slater who boarded into his first wave, crouching the barrel but was dumped to start his heat.

But it wasn’t long before the 52-year-old showed the crowd and challengers just how easy it was to pivot off the fins.

Dunphy’s second wave was his best as he looked to stay in touch with the top two, chasing placement in the final 32.

Berry jumped into first spot after a dominant first wave, scoring 7.0 from judges.

But as expected, Slater showed his poise and class, gliding through the waves, generating speed and lip line flowing down the wave.

With 10 minutes to go in the heat, Slater was sitting in last place needing 7.16 in his final wave to jump into second.

But he could only manage a 6.17 to put him into third spot, missing out on the next stage.

Instead, Aussie pair Berry and Pittar earned their way through to the final 32 after winning the heat.

A day earlier, Slater joined fellow world champions and Gold Coast-based luminaries of surfing Steph Gilmore, Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning and Mark Occhilupo for a ‘world champions’ showcase heat.

It attracted thousands to the shore and Snapper Rocks outcrop in an exhibition heat after the competition closed for the day.

Action for the Gold Coast Pro continues on Monday with the final 32.