If you haven’t seen the video(s) of Kelly Slater’s incredible aerial during a Portugal Pro lay day, you’ve been hiding under a rock somewhere. A very large rock, and you were wearing earplugs with a bag over your head.
Although the event has been on standby, the waves have been decent in other places. From big wave sessions with John John and Pete Mel to one of the best free surfs we’ve ever seen, the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal has put on quite a show for a show that’s not actually on. Case in point: Kelly’s enormous spin at Baleal, Peniche. During a free surf that included Brett Simpson and Kolohe Andino, he punted off a little section and proceeded to spin and higher than should be possible. Of course, as with nearly everything in surfing, there is some dispute over whether it’s a 540 or a 720. However you’re counting, one thing is obvious: Kelly’s got a lot more up his sleeve. And we can’t wait to see it.
The sequence above was shot by José Leal. You should like him on Facebook.
