Through shooting, I get to spend a lot of time with people who are in the public eye. Sometimes you walk away with a greater respect for who they are, and sometimes you walk away with less. But every once in a while, you get to meet someone, and you are left completely speechless. I can say without question, that Kelly Slater is one of the most humble, down to Earth, and genuine people I have ever encountered, celebrity or otherwise. And while there is little doubt that he truly is the greatest surfer to have ever lived, his legacy, at least for me, will be that he is also one of nicest guys I have ever shot.
They say that you should never meet your heroes, because it is impossible for them to live up to your expectations. It is my sincere hope that everyone who looks up to Kelly gets the opportunity to meet him at least once. Not only will he live up to expectations, but he will blow them out of the water, much in the same way he was won 9 World Championships, simply by being Kelly Slater.
