Eleven-time world champion surfer and guaranteed top drawcard Kelly Slater showed just why he is such a favourite year after year at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, with both fans and fellow surfers.
Following his Round Three showdown and subsequent defeat to lesser-known Australian Jack Freestone, Slater was expected to follow the heat winner out of the water.
Crowds gathered near the walkway at the Surfers Point event site, keen to score a selfie or an autograph from the professional pair.
Media waited among the crowds to conduct interviews with both surfers.
While Freestone exited the water immediately and performed his media duties as the victor, spectators looked around for Slater to appear.
What many people waiting on the walkway would not know was that immediately following the end of the heat, Slater paddled over to Southsides and was catching a few waves along with the stunned State Junior surfers, who were holding their own competition in the over-10ft swell.
After saying a few hellos and chatting with the young surfers in the water, Slater paddled in to the beach and ascended the stairs.
“We now have some up and coming juniors who are able to boast that they had a surf with none other than Kelly Slater in pumping ten foot surf,” said one witness, who declined to be named.
Slater conducted the requisite media interviews in a jovial mood before sharing an off-the-record joke and a short conversation with the media group.
He then spent the next ten to fifteen minutes signing autographs, chatting with excited young fans and high-fiving anyone with an outstretched hand.
“All after a loss,” said the local fan.
“It was just awesome, what an attitude. What a surfer.”
- With Surfing Margaret River