Surfing books by Kelly Slater, reviewed by Speechify

Kelly Slater is the greatest professional surfer of all time. But this prodigy doesn’t just ride the waves—he also has a passion for writing books, which have become bestsellers.

This article will take a deep dive into Slater’s notable works, looking at their themes, stories, and how they’ve positively impacted people’s lives around the globe.

About Kelly Slater

Kelly Slater is a professional surfer from Florida who has won 11 world titles, establishing himself as one of the greatest surfers of all time. He was born in Cocoa Beach, Florida, on February 11th, 1972, and took to the surfboard at the age of 8. After ranking mid-table in his first two years as a professional, Slater won his first world title in 1992 at Pipeline Masters in Oahu, Hawaii. Since then, he has competed on the Championship Tour around the world.

Slater’s impressive surfing career has taken him around the globe, from Australia to Hawaii to Trestles and Tahiti. At various points throughout his journey, he was named Billabong Pro Pipeline champion at Hawaii’s North Shore and Pipe Masters champion at Teahupoo, Tahiti. He also competed in the 1996 Olympics on Japan’s Kyushu Island.

However, Slater achieved international recognition away from competition. He featured as a playable character in Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer, a video game released by Activision in 2002. He then went on to star in the movie Surf’s Up alongside Jack Johnson, Jimmy Slade, and Andy Irons, playing a fictionalized version of himself named “Kelly.” He even appeared on the classic TV show Baywatch, along with several other pro surfers. At one point, he formed a band called The Surfers with some of his peers.

Slater remains active today, competing on the World Tour and Big Wave events such as Teahupo ́o, Sunset Beach, and The Australian Open. He also owns Kelly Slater Wave Co., which developed a revolutionary wave pool (Surf Ranch) in Lemoore, California. The company is partly owned by the World Surf League (WSL).

In addition to his career achievements, the world champion is an ambassador for Outerknown and a partner with Billabong Pro Pipeline. His athletic accomplishments have placed him among the pantheon of sport’s elite, winning an ESPY award for Best Male Action Sports Athlete and being inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame.

He has also helped develop sustainability initiatives in the surfing world. For example, he helped produce biodegradable packaging for prizes and led efforts to reduce single-use plastic at surfing events.

Books by Kelly Slater

If you want to learn more about Slater’s life, passion for surfing, and personal philosophies, check out his books listed here.

Pipe Dreams: A Surfer’s Journey

Pipe Dreams is an inspiring story of the world’s greatest surfer. From humble beginnings in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to becoming a global celebrity, Kelly takes readers on an extraordinary journey of struggle and triumph.

The book chronicles his rise from an impoverished childhood to becoming an eleven-time WSL Champion and the face of the sport. Readers get an in-depth look at the highs and lows of professional surfing. This includes the challenges of traveling worldwide for competitions, dealing with injuries, overcoming personal adversity, and enjoying the spoils when success arrives.

Kelly reflects on both his success in competition and off-the-water life. He shares funny stories about pranks played with friends like Rob Machado, conversations with mentor Gary Linden, tales of his former relationship with Pamela Anderson, and insights gained while learning from indigenous Hawaiian culture.

He also reveals how surfing has helped him deal with important issues such as substance abuse and depression.

Kelly Slater: For the Love

This book is an intimate and comprehensive look into Kelly Slater’s life. Written in collaboration with surfing veteran Phil Jarratt, this captivating book dives deep into Kelly’s incredible journey that began with a humble upbringing in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

With interviews from friends and fellow surfers and hundreds of never-before-published photographs, this beautifully produced book offers readers an inside look at his wins, losses, loves, and money.

Listen to great autobiographies with Speechify Audiobooks

Speechify is an audiobook service with an extensive library of titles for any reader. With celebrity reads like the inspiring and powerful autobiography, Becoming by Michelle Obama, plus the best memoirs of 2023, Speechify brings you an unbeatable selection of listens.

Using Speechify is easy and user-friendly. You can browse through the library or search for a specific title. Once you find a book that catches your attention, you have several options: stream it right away, download it first, or add it to your reading list.

The Speechify app makes it easy to customize your listening experience with bookmarking adjustable playback speeds that ensure you won’t miss a beat.

Ready to start exploring? Give Speechify a try today.

With so many great stories and listens available, there’s no limit to what you can discover.

FAQ

What does Kelly Slater do now?

Beyond surfing, Kelly Slater is an environmental activist, philanthropist, and successful businessman.

How much does it cost to stay at Kelly Slater’s Wave Pool?

Staying at Kelly Slater’s Wave Pool can cost upwards of $50,000 for a single day, depending on the time of year.

What companies does Kelly Slater own?

Kelly Slater owns the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch, located in Lemoore, California, and the Surf Ranch Florida facility. He is also part-owner of a wave pool technology company called The Kelly Slater Wave Company.

Does Kelly Slater have scoliosis?

Kelly Slater has scoliosis, which causes the spine to curve in an S- or C-shaped pattern.

How does Kelly Slater stay healthy?

Kelly Slater is very conscious about staying healthy and takes a holistic approach to his health. He watches what he eats and engages in activities such as yoga, surfing, and running.

What is Kelly Slater’s net worth?

Kelly Slater is worth an estimated $25 million.

What is the name of Kelly Slater’s restaurant?

The world-famous restaurant owned by pro surfer Kelly Slater is called Slater’s 50/50.

What are some of Kelly Slater’s sponsors?

Some of Kelly Slater’s most prominent sponsors include Outerknown and The Chia Company.