Surfing legend drops in on delighted locals
It’s not often a member of the surfing elite makes a visit to Northland, let alone the best of them all: Kelly Slater.
The 11-time world champion surfer made a surprise appearance at Mangawhai Heads beach at midday on Sunday in what was his first visit to New Zealand since 1993. United States-born Slater was in the country as a guest player in a golf tournament at Tara Iti golf club in Mangawhai.
After visiting the local surf shop, Slater arrived at a Mangawhai Heads surf club prizegiving and was greeted by a swarm of keen young nippers and a variety of lifeguards, club members and local beachgoing families.
Although Slater’s visit to the beach had been kept secret, word spread quickly that the surfing legend was in town and about 100 people gathered to see what could be the only time Slater surfed the local shores.
“There was rumours that Kelly was going to pop down . . . but it was really vague,” Mangawhai Heads surf club executive member Tony Baker said.
After fielding questions from fans, Slater gave locals a taste of his skills in the surf. “[Slater] got a few waves in but the surf was pretty average,” Baker said. “It’s . . . surreal, having the king of surfing at our beach.” Slater also donated a signed board to the club which would be hung in the clubrooms to mark his visit. Baker said he was glad to see Slater visit a less-populated surfing area.
“Our kids will be buzzing on that for the rest of their lives.”
Baker said Slater’s presence was a great surprise for people who were feeling down after the terrorist attack in Christchurch on Friday.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Slater said he was fortunate to be in such a beautiful country and sent his thoughts to those struggling with Friday’s attack.
“What a beautiful part of the world and even more reason to find myself, like everyone, in shock the past two days over the tragedy in Christchurch,” Slater said in his post.
Slater was due to head to Australia yesterday to compete in a world surf league event in Sydney.