Kelly Slater talks 540 with TMZ

TMZ don’t do surf much. If Thor is shirtless down at Santa Monica or Rob Lowe has a lesion in his shin from a shred sesh at Malibu, then that’s probably about it. Last week, after Kelly Slater made his world-first frontside 540 in Portugal, he posted this on IG: “…within minutes I would be getting texts from the best air guys in the world telling me I stole their next move and calling me a motherf&*^%r or getting email definitions about it from Tony Hawk or having my friends sending me messages from all over the globe or that I’d be getting hit up for an interview from TMZ (seriously).” His post and tone was awesome and it went on to detail potential names for his trick. He joked about calling it the Ebolair “cause it spread fast.” Good, clean fun. Anyways, the internet and its pious users have no sense of humour and the post came down quick. Joking about death is a no-go at all times, you know. But, his initial post still shared a prevailing truth. TMZ wanted an interview! Even if they had to get it via Skype call from Europe. Which you’ll see right here. During the interview, Kelly plays it cool despite the fawning and doesn’t get caught up in the hyperbole. But, the most refreshing thing of all that comes from this piece is this: that not even Kelly Slater can pull off looking good on a pointed-up camera during a Skype call.