Stab Magazine | Who Combo'd It Better, Kelly Slater, Kolohe Andino or Jordy Smith?

Live Now — 1-Week Premium Peek — Episode 2 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

259 Views

Who Combo’d It Better, Kelly Slater, Kolohe Andino or Jordy Smith?

Dissecting the tube to oops of 2014, 2015 and 2016. 

news // Dec 19, 2016
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Apparently a cocktail of Chia seeds, Purps and a DIY wave is the fountain of youth. Kelly Slater, at 44, is still at the forefront of progression. It’s amazing his knees haven’t given out. Even while his competitive mindset evaded him, his freesurfing remained one of a kind. There’s no hyperbole fit for Kelly’s career; he’s our Jordan, Gretzky, and Jeter. Yesterday at Backdoor, a bit before John Florence projected an alley-oop that’ll spark debate over the biggest air in history, Mr Slater threw his hat into a category popularised by Kolohe Andino’s Portuguese drainer to oop back in 2014. Which was then backed by Jordy’s in August of 2015.

So, as we’re a judging group by nature, let’s analyse these three waves of similarity:
In a streak of down days, onshore winds and non-contestable surf, late yesterday morning it started to clean up. Backdoor produced some possibly-maybes, and they teased calling on the event. They didn’t, but the freesurf that transpired saw Kelly Slater joining the deep tube to oop club (filmed by Ryan Perry). Kelly’s wave was smaller than both gent’s. However his barrel was long, tight and critical.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/uarl7r9Cb_k

Jordy’s (filmed by Nick Green) compared to Kelly’s had shorter travel time through the barrel, but the pumps exerted before the cover up gave him the speed to go as high as he did on the air section. What’s unique about Jordy’s is the hang time, how he shifts in the wind and spots the double up section which aids as a runway.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/136143301

Then Kolohe’s (filmed by Noah Alani) in Portugal might just stand superior. The barrel was deep, long and he pulled up just in time to avoid the pinch. Then had the wherewithal to find the ramp section and nearly clear what a world tour surfer would have trouble floating over. He doesn’t land as clean as Kelly or Jordy, but that adds a bit to the aesthetic.

Who’s was best? Well, surfing’s subjective but that’s what the Disqus is for. 

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

“I Lost Everything I’ve Ever Owned, But This Board Came Back”

One month after the LA wildfires, a surfboard washed ashore.

Jun 24, 2025

Shock Therapy: World 1 & 2 Eliminated Early In Saquarema

Gabriela Bryan and Caity Simmers fall victim on Day 1 of the Vivo Rio Pro.

Jun 22, 2025

German University Surf Contest Derails After Local Pushes Competitor Off Wave

The story behind the shove, and why wave-rental politics turned physical in Seignosse.

Jun 22, 2025

An Accidental 90-Minute Chat With Caity Simmers

A Stab Interview on life, individuality, and chimpanzee research initiatives.

Jun 21, 2025

No Tears In Saquarema

Can anyone other than Italo, Filipe or Yago win the Vivo Rio Pro?

Jun 20, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 2

Our seven surviving surfers confront an oddly large California beach break.

Jun 19, 2025

Why Is One Of The World’s Longest Lefts Being Bulldozed?

Pavones residents displaced as excavators move in.

Jun 19, 2025

The Seven Surfing Conspiracies

Inside surfing’s shadow government: what they don’t want you to know.

Jun 18, 2025

Mongrels Flood The Mondrian, Doped Youth Resurfaces in Versace

An autopsy of the Solento Surf Film Festival — and a breakdown of the biggest…

Jun 18, 2025

The Billion Dollar Hole Behind Lakey Peak: Should Surfers Be Worried?

A massive gold mine is being excavated behind the Indonesian surf village, fueled by foreign…

Jun 17, 2025

Record-Smashing Surf Coach Eyes Off His Next Victim: Sydney Olympic Park

Blakey Johnson’s July plans: survive 108+ hours in the cool, recirculated waters of URBNSURF. 

Jun 17, 2025

Watch: Milk & Honey, Presented By YETI & Sun Bum

A surf film starring Stephanie Gilmore, Caity Simmers, Coco Ho, and Frankie Harrer.

Jun 17, 2025

Stab Interview: WSL Tour President Graham Stapelberg On The Changes And Challenge(r)s Of The Post-Cut Era

Maxing Pipe, Triple Crown realities, Jordy Smith, sponsors up the yin-yang, and more.

Jun 16, 2025

Was That The Best Day Of Performance Surfing In 2025?

Kerrupt flips, double airs, and a cornucopia of 9 point waves.

Jun 15, 2025

Watch: Albee Layer Drops His Second Stab Edit Of The Year In 4 Months

And we dare say "Less Than Easy" is even better than the former.

Jun 13, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 1

Our first loser goes home in this "king of the hill" showdown.

Jun 12, 2025

How To Convince A Bunch Of Small Town Floridians That They Need A Wavepool

Warren Smith is creatively diversifying the tourism portfolio of his hometown.

Jun 12, 2025

Italo And Filipe Lost, But Surfing Won Today

No shortage of excellence on Day Two at Lowers.

Jun 11, 2025
Advertisement