It’s not every day you see WCT surfers paddling out at spots like Jaws, Nazaré, Maverick’s, or even Pipe when it’s big. And we don’t blame ’em, really. The truth is, opting out of those skyscraper waves is much less about being scared and much more about the simple fact that it’s not what they’re paid to do.
It goes without saying that going over the handlebars on a wave at, say, Jaws has dire consequences. An injury sustained from a violent wipeout at Pe’ahi can force a surfer to withdraw from several competitions, leaving them in danger of falling off tour. It’s too risky, and simply not worth it. Still, some do. Look at Josh Kerr, for example. Just last week, Josh shocked surfers around the world when he took home the W at the Todos Santos Santos Challenge in scary big conditions.
There is one man, however, who’s in an unusual position, in that he’s able to do whatever he wants whenever he wants. Aside from the fact that he’s a physical freak of nature who can surf just about anything, Kelly has had a long and successful career on the CT. While most guys are still fighting to make a name for themselves and stay on tour, Kelly is all about maximizing his fun. But that’s not to stay the guy isn’t competitive. When is comes to competition, his fiery spirit is still burning hotter than the surface of the sun. Above is a short gallery, featuring a few memorable rides from Jaws a few days ago.
Photos by Shannon Marie Quirk (@shannonreporting)
