CAPTION: Kelly Slater (USA), 41, 11-time ASP World Champion and two time US Open of Surfing Champion, reveled in the windy afternoon conditions in his opening Vans US Open of Surfing heat, notching the day’s high scores with surgical wave selection. The iconic regular-footer took to the lefts breaking in to the Pier to earn his top scores, earning an 8.00 for a committed backhand tube, backing the ride up with the day’s high single-wave score of 8.67 for several polished backhand turns.
Slater is scheduled to surf in Heat 6 of Round 2.
CREDIT: ASP/ROWLAND
PHOTOGRAPHER: Sean Rowland