I just finished reading Gary Smith's article on Kelly Slater in this week's issue of Sports Illustrated titled Ready For the Next Wave. This photo captures the author's intent of trying to open the door into Slater's life, "the door that's there for all of us, the one too risky for many to open, behind which lies the question: Why do you what you do?"It definitely got my heart pounding as Smith provides a psychoanalysis of Slater and why he surfs. Slater is the face of professional surfing. When I had no clue about the art of wave sliding and the joy it brings, I still knew Kelly Slater was the best. Smith does a good job of challenging the audience to examine their own lives as he delves into Slater's.
The article probes into the personal life of Slater to expose the forces that drive him to succeed. According to Smith, Slater grew up "as the child of alcoholism and divorce." This shaped his self-image, personality, and how he copes with the world. As the middle child, "Kelly was the mediator, the boy who yearned to be the bridge" in arguments between his mother, father, and siblings. As a skeptic, I initially found Smith's article too cliche - the superstar finds his strength by fighting to turn his troubled childhood into the fuel for his excellence. Great material for a magazine story, but maybe overly dramatic.
Yet, there is something about Slater. It could be that I've heard about him, but I can't recall ever really hearing from him. No interviews pop into mind and he's rarely quoted in the article. It reads from the perspective of the arm chair analyst providing details of the patient's life as the source of his anxiety, self-consciousness, and depression. Kelly comes across as this silent surfing giant struggling to overcome his own personal demons.
Slater's story rings true for me. The article left me feeling uncomfortable and a little upset. I've found myself at 33, trying to avoid the whys of my own life. Why am I a teacher? Why do I study History? Why am I here? David Byrne's lyrics - "This is not my beautiful house, this is not my beautiful wife, my God, how did I get here?" have much more meaning to me now than when I was a teenager. I can identify with Slater. What worked for me as a child: getting good grades, trying to forge my own place in a big family, ignoring the chaos, seeking to please authority figures - doesn't cut it today. Currently, I find myself teaching in a very chaotic environment where strength and attitude are rewarded while compassion and generosity are considered weaknesses. As a result, I suffer from a lot of anxiety, worry, and panic about my teaching, graduate school, and the future. Sometimes I can't enjoy the good times because they are always fleeting. I can understand how Slater could be a world champion surfer and still feel unsatisfied with life.
Smith's article definitely intrigued me. As a surfer, I liked seeing the exposure of the sport and its perennial king. Hints of the future - Surf Stadiums with the Perfect Wave Machines, and Olympic gold - also stoked my enthusiasm. Smith pulls the curtains back just enough on Slater's personal life to leave me wanting more. The next surfer biography I'll read is Slater's Pipe Dreams. Hopefully, it will allow me to open the door and walk into Slater's world.
You can check out the article at: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1155067/index.htm
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