This morning, Kelly Slater withdrew from the 2014 US Open of Surfing, citing an injury as the reason for his absence. Slater posted the above video to his Instagram account yesterday of him skurfing (and ripping) on a lake at home in Florida, doing a little #RedNeckSurfing, which made the announcement of injury somewhat puzzling.
According to a statement from the ASP, “Slater has recently re-aggravated an old shoulder injury, forcing him to withdraw from the US Open in hopes of resting it before the Billabong Pro Teahupo’o.”
Slater will be replaced in his Round 1, Heat 12 showdown by Hawaiian ‘QS-er Gavin Gillette, who will surf against Kiron Jabour, Frederico Morais, and Bino Lopes.
Updated: July 28, 2014 2:33 PM, PST
