Kelly Slater Drops In On US Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  - Stab Mag

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Kelly Slater Drops In On US Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 

Are politics in the GOAT’s future?

news // Jan 17, 2024
Words by August Howell
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Never a dull moment on the North Shore. 

Five months removed from hip surgery, Kelly Slater was seen this week sharing waves with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is currently running for president of the United States via an independent We The People party. 

Peter King documented a party wave with Kelly and Robert longboarding together at ​​Puaʻena Point, where in a strange twist of fate, the career politician had to coax the 11x world champ to his feet. Hell of a paddle by Kelly to catch that four-inch piece of chop, but we’re still giving him a triangle.

As his name implies, Kennedy has deep ties with American politics. He’s the son of the late U.S. Senator Robert Kennedy and nephew of the former U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

Both Roberts (Kelly and and Kennedy) are outspoken critics of government-mandated vaccination policies in the wake of COVID-19. While Kennedy has received support for goals like free childcare programs, reducing housing costs and legalizing psychedelics to treat mental health, the presidential candidate has been accused of promoting conspiracy theories and has been scrutinized for spreading misinformation about vaccinations and the COVID-19 virus. 

Politics: damned if ya do, damned if ya don’t.

Slater and Kennedy commemorated the North Shore moment with a joint Instagram post that also featured Hawaiian tube slayer Shayden Pacarro and Tahitian prince Matahi Drollet.  

With Kelly set to turn 52 in a few weeks, one has to wonder if he’s eyeing other opportunities outside of the WSL’s Championship Tour. As someone who is not shy about speaking their mind, might politics be in those plans? Too early to say, especially with Pipe just two weeks away.

Who else wants to see a walk-off victory?

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