Kelly Slater for Entrepreneur Magazine

Words by Morgan Williamson 

Kelly Slater’s everywhere; GQ, Mr Porter, Esquire, Men’s Health and now he’s landed the cover of Entrepreneur Magazine. It’s also widely debated that he has an all seeing eye and can surf three separate swells, in three separate locations in one day, while simultaneously designing clothes, doing interviews and looking dapper for photoshoots.

Today he was featured in the article Entrepreneurs Don’t Follow Trends – They Create Them, which describes the editor’s tentative decision to feature a surfer on the cover. You know, because we’re unanimously a bunch of pot head hippies who don’t wear shoes, have zero ambitions and fight each other like wild wolves in the lineup. Yeah, surfers are pretty ‘far out’, wandering the ether, throwing shakas, tall-cans in hand and searching for the next method of escapism. But not Mr Slater, the cat’s a god damn entrepreneur and he’s making headlines far beyond surf publications. Similar to the one you’re currently digging your teeth into, you big bad wolf, you.

“Putting a surfer on our cover was not an easy choice,” writes Amy Cosper, Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine. “Because since when do surfers embody the spirit of entrepreneurship? Since they started making clothes, and realising new ways of experiencing life. Just like Kelly Slater, whose company represents one of our trends of 2016 — apparel brands making sustainable fashion.”

Which really isn’t as offensive as my borderline sarcastic bumbling above may have led you to believe. And after so many years of progression, at this point it’s shameful to be a Kelly-hater. The man’s doing good things for the sport of surfing and beyond, all while staying more than relevant on the tour. He’s like a super human, suddenly inspiring the masses to indulge on chia seeds and sustainability. Because who knows, it may spark that much needed ambition.

“We’ve never had a surfer on the cover before,” the lovely Ms Cosper concludes, “but we’re proud we do this month because he captures the spirit of adventure and entrepreneurship. Just like you.”