In 1992, a 20-year-old rookie named Kelly Slater hopped a ride to Bells Beach with his buddy and mentor Tom Carroll. It was the first event of his first year on tour. He won the world title that first year, but he didn’t win Bells. The event challenged him like few others. Now, 32 years later, as the greatest competitive surfer of all time prepares to step away from the heat of battle, we asked Kelly to spend some time with his old friend Tom, wandering around the Bells and Winkipop surf check spots, and talking through what he recalls of that time and about where he finds himself today. The conversation offers a rare and very candid glimpse into the changing heart of a champion, as Kelly tackles age (“Getting old sucks, man!”), his connection with three time Bells champion Michael Peterson, the loss of friends, approaching fatherhood for the second time, why he still likes surfing heats, and yes, the R-word.
