Would You Follow Kelly Slater Into Sobriety?

When Kelly Slater, as an adult male, started riding 6’1 x 17 7/8″ x 2 1/4″ surfboards, so did we. 

When he started eating cereal on the morning of the (quarter)finals, so did we. When he discovered the earth was round and not flat, so did we. And when he switched those 6’1 x 17 7/8″ x 2 1/4″ surfboards for tubby 5’2s, so did we.

Kelly Slater’s position atop the surfing world has made him, whether intentionally or not, a social puppeteer. Now with over 2 million Instagram followers, his reach has stretched beyond the confines of surf and into wider society, making his statements and actions more powerful than ever.

Somewhat ironically to the forthcoming, Slater’s face currently adorns many a Michelob ad across the US.

Just this morning, Kelly revealed that he, having been inspired by podcast extraordinaire Joe Rogan, would be going sober for the month of October. 

Let’s read the King’s reasoning:

How easy (or difficult) is it for you to not drink right now for a month including Halloween? It’s Oktoberfest so maybe next month, right? Restraint is a great teacher. My girlfriend hasn’t had a drink in 4 months. I woke up hungover from New Year’s Eve for two days to start 2011 and decided to not have a drink for a year (although I drank a beer the night of the Code Red swell in Tahiti cause I was stressed thinking somebody I knew was gonna die). But I’ve always said you should drink because you’re happy (see: 1:29), not to feel better. Thoughts? I like to see @joerogan posting this. Who’s in?

Unofficial Hawaiian mayor Kala Alexander commented, saying: Easy.

Photog to the stars Ryan Miller (AKA badboyryry) had a different take: October? Shit that’s the Europe leg. I’m drinking nearly a bottle of wine a night. Sometimes on these trips (here, WA, Jbay) I feel like an alcoholic towards the end. Then the right when I get home with my family I don’t have a sip for a month and just want to enjoy their company. I love the taste of red wine but don’t need it and don’t not need it either. Can go either way and find happiness on my own.

Noah Erickson, brother to Sage and an ex-pro surfer in his own right, is on board: @kellyslater I’m in! I actually started 3 days ago, but this a neat little sign to keep me motivated. I golf better when I’m not day drinking anyway.

Rusty America GM Matt Keenan who, despite his greying beard, has more energy than 10 normal people combined, is all in: Going on 44 years sober. Never started drinking so October should be an easy month for me ha. Kudos!

Many a tin were consumed at Stab High. Photo: Sam Moody

Alcohol holds a strangely powerful position in western culture.

Despite being one of the biggest causes of death and disease, despite its terrible day-after effects, and despite how stupid and immature it makes human act, alcohol is one of the few mind-altering substances that has been legal for recreational use across the Americas, Europe, and Australia for millennia.  

But it’s safe to say we could all gain something – health, wealth, clarity, etc. – from a month off the booze. 

So I’m with Slater (although I can’t attest to the rest of my Stab colleagues). Are you?