What Kelly Slater’s Riding In Rio

Kelly Slater is headed for Rio. Possibly even checked into his hotel, by the time y’read this. This is something you didn’t see last year, but last year Kelly had an injured foot (a) and wasn’t openly gunning for a title the way he is this year (b). Taylor Knox, who until he retired at the end of last year was the oldest man on tour, said that this is the most definitive he’s heard Kelly in years. He wants it. And, after a less than great finish at Bells (13th), he’ll be hungry like the wolf. And, with a serious Kelly Slater campaign comes a serious quiver. Especially a small wave-centric quiver for Rio De Janeiro, which tends to err on the side of waist-high beachbreaks. So, here’s what’ll be under the feet of Kelly Slater during the Billabong Pro, Rio. – Over on the far left is a board called The Lips. It’s a 5’9″x 18″ 1/4’x 2″1/4′ rounded pin, five-fin set-up with EPS foam, epoxy resin. It’s a direct copy of the board that Kelly won at Kirra on. – Second from left y’got the board that Kelly doesn’t leave home without, designed by Conner Coffin, called the Fred Rubble. It’s another 5’9″x 18″x 1/4’x 2″1/4′, also rounded pin, five-fin EPS foam, epoxy resin. This one is a direct copy of Kelly’s magic Trestles board. – Second from the right is another Fred Rubble, but this is Kelly’s smaller wave version: 5’8″x 18″ 1/2′. Five-fin, EPS foam, epoxy resin. – And finally another version of The Lips, also for smaller waves, at 5’8″x 18″ 1/2′. The lone squashtail of the pack, five-fin, EPS foam, epoxy resin. The Billabong Pro, Rio, starts the day after tomorrow. You can see more here.