Kelly Slater Calls Surfskaters Kooks! - On the Mark or Out of Line?

A rare case of controversy in the Surfskate world as Kelly Slater attacks one of the largest Surfskate accounts on Instagram. And It seems that even surf skaters are split on this one. This comes just a week after I finally speak my mind about the abundance of "Fake Steez" in the surfskate world - It seems Kelly must be subscribed to my Patreon under an alt account name. Would love to know your thoughts on this in the comments.
To see the full fake steez video, check out the Surfskate Underground on Patreon: / surfskateunderground
#surfskate #KellySlater #kook

[@skate_oasis]

Gotta be honest, I have zero empathy for those who criticize others' skate or surf style. Everyone is allowed to ride however they want. Kelly might be the greatest contest surfer of all time, but he's still out of line for his sniping.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Absolutely agree that everyone should ride how they want. However, I have received some constructive criticism, which has helped me improve, so I think there is a place for it. I also think it is fair to critique the style of pros or major influential riders because it is what we do as passionate fans who might want to dissect the sport. But there is definitely a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

[@CK_218]

I agree, and the video he was referring to you know what? If that person enjoys skating like that so be it, it’s his style… whether he’s trying to mimic surfing or whatever he’s enjoying it and I appreciate that. It may look over the top, but I still think it’s pretty rad and looks pretty awesome. Some people like a more fluid motion like yourself Mark and I dig that also, but I feel like there’s enough space in the community for everyone to express themselves. I mean what’s next? Making fun of someone who started surf skating 1 week ago because he is super choppy? The point is to develop and find yourself, but most importantly is having fun and keeping a smile on your face.

[@RealSkateStories]

The guy being criticized is not just showing a style, he is teaching and promoting a technique that is flawed for shortboarding (unless you want to surf 70's style on a modern shortboard). If The Russian dude's surf clips were on a mid length I doubt there would be any controversy.

[@artysm7]

Yea plus slaters the biggest douche yea he's a great surfer blablabla but what a bellend

[@Eric-do9jq]

I tend to agree with you that looking down on other styles is wrong. But maybe there is a little difference when you sell courses and receive money from people who want to learn?

[@konbonwa]

I'm not a fan of Slater and I don't think he should have punched down on the SSA. Instead, he could have contacted Andrey and offered help or even some technical tips. Slater behaved like junior high school skaters that laugh at and criticize beginning skaters' style while not offering them any help to improve.

[@whitetailskateboards]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Mark, and opening up the discussion here. Being a star comes with responsibilities and it's disappointing when fame is used to hurt someone else's credibility. It is easy to make fun of someone who's having the courage to stick their neck out and try to contribute to the scene, to the best of their knowledge. This courage itself is worth being respected, in my opinion.

[@marsmachine1156]

I started surfskating as I thought it would be fun to ride up and down driveways in a “surf” like manner… thanks to you and other channels I am now addicted to bowl skating and even starting some basic skate tricks! That over waving the arms never felt good to me… so I never did it. We all start wiggling in parking lots, trying to wave arms or hold coffee cups… then at some point, we will find the flow. I am more worried about pissing of good skaters in the park then dudes in the ocean or on the interwebz. Go punch 🤛🏻 some sharks 🦈 like Mick, dude! Let’s promote board sports and not diss each other! More surfskaters might lead to more “real” skaters and surfers! Peace ✌🏻😂

[@dlthompson945]

Kelly who ? Old man gets grumpy over young skateboarders having fun.

[@justfromg]

I look at skateparks the same as the weight room in a gym. Let people do their session. if they use poor form it’s not my business and if they ask for help gladly help them. I expect the same - if I need tips or a spot or questions, most people will gladly help, otherwise be cordial. Judgement and trash talk is a sign of insecurity. From what I understand, Andre didn’t cut Kelly Slater off on a wave or snake him out at sea, therefore the GOAT has no good reason to punch down a person online.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Really good metaphor. As the guy who often uses gym equipment incorrectly I genuinely appreciate the people who have the skill and finesse to show you the right way without embarrassing you.

[@obliquecoffee6073]

As a once former certified ski and snowboard instructor, I gotta say - over emphasizing any aspect of turn dynamics (flexion / extension, rotation, angulation, etc...) is a little like salt in a soup. It's a good tool initially to visually show and emphasize the range of motion during a dynamic carve, but there should always be a follow-up demo showing the pulling back / minimalization of any dynamic movement, because that is in essence - style. Debussy wrote that the music is not in the notes, but in the spaces between them. In a similar vein, Miles Davis said, “It's not the notes you play; it's the notes you don't play.”

[@dangianfagna]

Beautifully stated. Miles Davis told Herbie Hancock, "don't play the sugar notes", and in Japanese art and design the concepts are Ma and Mu (my topical understanding at least), the space in-between and the open space or nothing. The beauty is in their math and how they interact and balance each other. In other news, the right bike, or the right surfskate, is the one you are on, out there enjoying your free time. How one develops their own personal relationship with cycling or surfskating needs to be determined by the individual, independent of what the pros, the best of the best. I don't hit the golf ball nearly as well as the pros, so some of their insights are really for golfers at that level. My two cents. Appreciated your comment and point though, so thank you 😊

[@pdannny]

Kelly is acting like a bully. There are plenty of surfers including really talented ones who use surfskating as a way to train. Not everyone is blessed to have either the access to a beach or the time or the money to invest into a hobby/sport like surfing. It's a shame that he took that kind of stance and used his platform to ridicule a guy just trying to advance the sport like that. The truth is there was a time when skateboarders were considered kooks, as were surfers themselves. Sometimes a new-ish technology comes around and the old-timers become afraid of it. Maybe he's scared that someone who practices on a surfskate on flat days will detrone him as the GOAT one day. Yeah some ppl go hard on the fake steez..but who gives a damn if they are happy doing it. Yeah.. it's sorta funny concept, the idea of surfskaters are just roleplaying surfing...but there is a lot of cross over and I think surfskating will do more for the sport of surfing than hurt the sport of surfing. The more people who have access to surfing, also increase the chances of finding a new GOAT...and for an insecure legend, that's scary. In the meantime I'm embracing the kook title bc you gotta be a little kooky to be great..otherwise youre just average...guess he forgot that. Keep up the good work and videos Mark! 🤙✌️

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Thanks for the really well thought out comment! Every innovation probably looked kooky the first time, so kook it up!

[@paulh.327]

André is at least a kooks incubator, bringing thousand and thousand of kooks in Bali surf Spots 😂 And mentawaii Guy who train year long in skatepark then pay surfguide to buy some wave, they would never able doing paddle battle or read ocean by them self to be at right place😅😂 But Goat should not be so rude, he is part of the guys appeling kooks to the sport, is wave pool is a manget for kooks too, rich ones G

[@riffraffrichard]

It’s childish to call people kooks especially from an amazing surfer like Kelly. Surfing and skating is about having fun and learning, who cares what someone thinks about what your doing. Fair dues if your giving some constructive criticism but just to make blanket statements like that is teenage behaviour. Kelly should realise what level he’s working at and just encourage people to get into it and if he’s got some good ideas about teaching he should take time to share them and if he’s so concerned about other teachers he should be kind enough to kindly contribute.

[@riffraffrichard]

Also just cause he’s a great surfer doesn’t make him a great teacher!

[@EmpoweredPPBUK]

Kelly had to learn to surf at some point and not everyone is lucky enough to live/grow up by the sea with regular surf as he did. Practicing body motion outside the water can be beneficial, cutting people down isn’t.

[@djweeks_maui]

The only way to get better at surfing is to surf, a lot. Surfskating to get better at surfing is misguided and I can see why that guy gets clowned on. It is a little insulting to insinuate exaggerated surfskating will make you a better surfer. Concrete waves don't move. The ocean is unpredictable, the crowds, the type of wave you are surfing, there are so many variables. There is some translation and similarities to the body language and motions but sorry, you will not become a better surfer by surfskating or even regular skating. You will be a better skater! Time, practice, more time and more practice is how you get better at any sport. Playing racquetball won't make you a better tennis player and waterpolo won't make you a better volleyball player. What Slater I think has a problem with is not surfskating, but the idea it will make you a better surfer by over extenuating your "style" on a surfskate. Where the reality is that just isn't the case. Practice, practice, practice #lahainastrong

[@wills_waves]

Kook isn't really that bad, could have just been a joke..... If anything it will have helped him with the exposure

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

True, if Kelly saw this video and ripped into me it would likely do more for my channel than anything I've done!

[@guybartlett9587]

Im a surfer/ surf skater. My take is, great athletes are not necessarily great people. I've been around great surfers.

[@Tooonnny]

Well said Mark! We should hear what surfskaters have to say. Does it help or not their surfing? Experience from the Z boys to guys like Andrei seem to show that surfskate can be a good training tool for surfing. In snowboarding the same occur with “snowboard addiction” which sells trampoline lessons with a skate like board strapped to your feet. I do not think anybody is saying the flight simulator makes anyone a pilot but I guess it is still part of the tools available to learn! Peace!

[@RealSkateStories]

Context! Help their surfing how? The Russian dude is surfing a modern shortboard. If he wants to surf like Rory Russel he is on point. If he wants to surf like Julian Wilson he is way off track with that style of training.

[@goofyfootgreg]

Never been a Kelly Slater fan. Definitely agree that he’s punching down. I’m of the opinion that if you don’t like something, don’t interact with it. The algorithm can’t tell what the comment says, only that the post is getting traffic.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

I thought it was law in Florida to like him! Probably right on the interaction side, and all the trolls going after Andrey on his videos are just driving more traffic there. Though I know it comes at a mental cost. I can get 99 positive comments on a video and my brain will get stuck on the negative one.

[@threeohm]

We seem to be unable to give people credit for a specific skill/achievement like being an amazing athlete or actress or scientist and at the same time appreciate that their achievement in that specific area doesn't mean they are worth listening to/trusting as a reliable source of information...even when it comes to the thing they are great at. Kelly S is a great surfer. That's it. Doesn't mean his opinion about someone's surf skating matters one iota.

[@JasonFink4rg05]

Yeah I didn't want to say it but .... yes

[@ramshaka]

To be honest, this is the type of overhyped social media drama that sours me on the internet, and people in general. It's essentially the equivalent of an old guy making a throw away comment from his Lazyboy about something he saw on TV. Only now, since he's got a name in something, and because no one makes comments in private anymore ... Here we go.

[@StokedNC-surfer]

In general I think most would not like Kelly as a person. I surfskate to train for surfing. It has helped a great. At almost 49, I feel I am still improving on both fronts. I have looked at his content and he is a good surfer. I get his movements and why he is doing them. Thanks for the great content as usual.

[@stoneywax660]

Surf skating will not help you paddle out of the way when your kook ass inevitably gets in someone’s way who actually knows how to surf and makes the investment to spend time in the ocean.

[@stoneywax660]

Surf skating technique means nothing if you can’t paddle and surf. Spend more time in the ocean and less time with traffic cones.

[@stoneywax660]

Any excuses as to why you can’t make it in the water is kook cope.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

100%. I think it can help intermediate surfers improve their technique by giving a more realistic way to practice the body motions when the waves are flat though. But for beginners, reading waves and catching a wave is 95% of the battle, and it won't help at all there.

[@corymeyer9394]

I really like Shane Lai's style of teaching by example. My experience is that slightly exaggerating arm and upper body movements develops muscle memory and can improve form. Not to the degree that Andre does. I can pump while using minimal upper body movement but using your entire body increases efficiency and improves overall form. I'm not a surfer, but I also feel like surfskate has grown beyond surfing and surf training into something of its own. I think it's hard to dismiss surf trainer focused setups like Swelltech when I see many pro level surfers endorsing and using these products. Yes it's good marketing but that only goes so far. I have seen in my own progression how certain movements and motions could translate to surfing. My flatland cruiser feels a lot like snowboarding as opposed to surfing, and as a long time snowboarder I really like that. I'm not trying to be a surfer. I just love the flow of board sports.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Shane is really good at teaching with few words, and when starting out exaggeration is often necessary - the number of times I say "bend your knees more!" in lessons would be difficult to count.

[@spadelump]

Shane's great I love his vids too

[@rageburst]

The exaggerated movements actually feel good to do. It's similar to people dancing on a longboard. I say grab the rail from behind sometimes when you're doing a frontside bottom turn, and like to touch the pavement like it's a wave. It's just another form of dancing and about having fun. What you don't want to do is to exaggerate it too much all the time. It's similar to kids skipping every so often instead of skipping 100% of the time. If you look at Swelltech promotional vids, it's almost all fake steez, but it's also a lot of fun.

[@TakeItToTheGround]

I surf, skate & surfskate. Seems like slaters comments have been blown out of proportion. If you see people who are good at surfing their style is all about efficiency, timing & knowing the rhythm of the ocean. Not some theatrical gyrating modern dance performance. You should surfskate overly dramatically if that's what you want to to do & not because someone selling you online surfskate lessons tells you it will make you a better surfer. The goat knows it isn't the secret. Like the channel btw.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

My channel has always been about the stoke of surfskating and how to do it for the joy of progressing your abilities and skills and tricks on a surfskate. If it helps your surfing, that is just bonus. I think I have some similar sentiments about online surf training courses, over dramatic motions, and "gurus" in general, but if I am going to criticize a stranger in a way that could humiliate them, I feel it is only fair to also provide some substance to back it up.

[@doktor_faust]

i have zero empathy for people who cannot handle negative criticism. People just don't want to accept that not all they do is amazing, so they get butthurt if someone doesn't say "you are great" and act like "i don't listen to those people". That always reminds me of Gorden Ramsay calling out people for being in denial and people just not wanting to see it. Personally i see just this big market of people trying to rip of newbies with they surfskate classes. Its a big epidemic and no one tells the newbies they are beeing ripped off because "keep your negative criticism for yourself". I think if you do surf skate because you just like to to it, the feels and stuff - ok. But get rid of that surf training illusion, fuck classes, fuck posers.

[@michaelbutler7780]

Who cares what he says tbh 🤷🏼‍♂️ dude obviously doesn't skate. So you're a great suffer cool bro... But it ends there yk

[@barrydworak]

I got surfskates because, as someone who has surfed for 40 years, and taught snowboarding for a while, too, I have found most skateboards and longboards to be disappointing. I like having the ability to flow, turn hard, and gain speed from it. I do think there's way too much talk about which truck systems feel exactly like a surfboard. What surfboard? Every surfboard I've ever ridden, from vintage longboards to sub-5 foot boards made for acid dropping into river waves, feels different. Every run of the mill 6' something tri-fin has felt different. So don't overdo the "surf training" thing. Just enjoy surfskates for what they are. They will let you use your surfing and snowboarding flow, whereas doing flip tricks on popsicle stick skateboards won't. Enjoy that as a different sport if you like doing it, but recognize that skateboarding departed from its surfing roots 30 years ago and never looked back. Where it used to be an offshoot of surfing, it stands alone now as an Olympic sport. Surfskates are a deliberate effort to go back to those surfing roots, for those of us who want that feel when we screw around on the driveway, or even in the skate park. Still, a surfskate does have its own characteristics. Feel free to ride what you like, without worrying if it's exactly like a surfboard. That's really not a thing. 🙂

[@KINOSHINOBI]

Just lost all respect to Slater. Always been a fan of Andre and we've talked before. He is absolutely one humble and lovely human being compared to Slater.

[@lemonite1489]

This is a weird, generational thing/argument. Many years ago, it was good to have a low pivotal surf style on a skateboard but .....Larry Bertlemann and the ensuing surfer/skateboarders of the 70s' had great style. Since then, surfing and skateboarding styles have changed yet now have also had the time to establish dos and donts. Which brings us to today. In recent years, longboarding and other forms of skateboarding have come up that does raise, or lower, the eyebrowse of experienced and hardcore surfer/skateboarders. To this mostly over 45 crowd, it does look ugly in the style department. If you get involved with surfing/skateboarding just know that there does exist hallowed laws of style, break 'em, and you will hear it. Now this doesn't mean Kelly Slater isn't out of line here, he is. He doesn't realize that by now, good style really doesn't mean as much today? To those hardcores and older gens, half of todays pro surfers and skateboarders would have, bad style anyways. It seems kinda trivial. But at the same time, yes, butt squat stinkbug, gyro, wannabe posers are, and will forever be.....session stinkers.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

As someone who got into surfskating with more of a core-skater background, I've had to grit my teeth and cringe a lot. Even have people criticize me and tell me I should study some of the cringy fake steez butt squatters to improve my style. To me it is like appreciating good wine or good beer... The new surfskaters love the sweet neutral taste of coors light because they haven't developed the palette to appreciate the layers and nuances of a craft brewed IPA. Eventually they'll get it on their own, so there is no need to be rude about it in the meantime.

[@jaimefccosta]

The GOAT is 100% right! The guy doesn't even know how to use his arms in the water, how does he calls himself a teacher?!?! He's just another russian in Bali, all kooks!! And i take another shot, "surfskate" is just a tool to improve surfing tecnique (that's why SmoothStar call theirs surftrainers), otherwise, call it just skateboard!

[@MoroseTech85]

Surfskating is surfskating and surfing is surfing. Is there carryover, sure. Is he a kook from a surfer's perspective...absolutely. If he is trying to blur the lines between the two, and profiting off of it, Kelly's right. Guy's got some stylish surfskating though and makes it look easy. Sounds like steeze to me.

[@Out_of_mind1]

I know. But I will say more. So many Russians was surf on big wave but there are no one was pro😅. Another one surfing becoming more bad. Cause why? You just pay money and you can surf an

[@Adam-M-]

It's never a good look to punch down. That's one of the basics of comedy, for instance. It's why comedians always make fun of people who are more successful, because they have less to lose. Punching down on the little guy just looks desperate, pointless, and tasteless. So, in my mind, this is a pretty bad look for Kelly. There's a difference between earning the right to criticize, and then actually doing it. Especially toward someone who has a fraction of the followers.

[@qaso81]

I used to think Kelly slater was cool when I was in highschool. think I'm a fan of Felipe toledo now 100%. Kelly, grow up man... you so cool with a girls name. pretty sure all that Hawaii sun got to him, or maybe the locals... howlie always been a bit pompous.

[@YourDailyR]

Who cares for Slater??? Does he pay your bills? Enjoy your life the way you want it. Let’s send good vibes to the guy who’s putting effort to form new surfers.

[@LifeWithSpike]

Kelly has hosted Carver at his surf ranch and there are videos on KZbin of him carving hills on a 90s model surfakate.

[@luisgmatos]

I'm surf coach myself and I think surfskate is a very valid surf training tool.

[@benjamindupuis6740]

Who cares about Kelly Slater? Just ride this board and have fun. Come on

[@qaso81]

as for the grown up in me, pretty sure kelly is just a closed minded individual who can't open up to new ideas, living in the stereotype that surfing is the only way to be cool.

[@nateross14]

When I watch Kelly surf, all I see are exaggerated movenents......

[@_carefulcole_4517]

This even being a topic of discussion is a bit silly. Who cares?

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

A lot of surfers and surfskaters idolized Kelly Slater, and surfskate brands strongly market their products as surf trainers. So if the surfing GOAT all of a sudden starts making fun of it and surfers at large follow suit and start scoffing at surfskates, that could be a devastating blow to the industry and its current marketing approach. I know it might seem petty to make a big deal about it, but I think this is something important in the big picture.

[@_carefulcole_4517]

@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer won't ruin my fun.

[@theunwanted6122]

Lol yep add more people to anything and the judge mental bullshit comes out. We are skaters it’s a rebel sport so piss off.

[@mattu6524]

Kook is an ugly word. Always look at the meaning of a word, then look who said it. Aren't 99% of surfers kooks WHEN compared to Slater? Now apply this to surfskaters. Very apparent when some poplular surfskate influencers have zero surfing knowledge or experience...total kooks yes, but not posers(another ugly word specific to skating). Andre, you, Shane, Avocados and others are not kooks to me, but might be to Slater? My goat skater Mullen, 99% of skaters are posers when compared to him....he is just way to rad to ever use the word. Slater is one of the best to ever do it...even if he is a dick.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

You just coined the Theory of kook relativity 😁

[@antonioe5299]

Who cares? He is the goat! We all are kooks compared to him! I I'm jocking, is the post real?

[@djmindcontrol1]

I think often when people who are " different " come in to a hobby or sport and do it way off from the norm,they will always have backlash. I'm not sure what the obsession is with the " bully" mentality or make fun of community 🤔 but it is not a character trait that it is admired nor would I want the youth and younger groms to hop on to. Unfortunately this mentality is at the beach and surf line ups like am infestation. Thanks Kelly! For setting the community back as a " mentor" or someone others look up to. Way to lead by example!!!!!

[@soulesperanza]

Slater used to be a respectful person, what happened to him?

[@JimmyMacAdventureClub]

Man.. I didn't expect to have so many opinions about this.

[@vamp7609]

That´s social media for ya!!!! Deeply sad!!!

[@davidaron8139]

Definitely a low blow, I’ll bet it’s also riding off the Sterling jab on surf skating ( he makes fun of Slater a lot) and which was actually super hilarious and not too off point. One thing to keep in mind is that skating and surfing are only good when there is genuine style ( but without it there is still genuine fun!)..at least that’s how they’ve been both pioneered for decades. I love the feel of surf skating after finally trying this year, the tech is really interesting and presents a great simulation ( for me it’s for surf style carving on a snowboard) and it’s most definitely harder to do it really well then it looks…but, as a 40 year skater that grew up in the spawn eras there is one thing that must be genuine to gain a nod of respect and that’s ( repeat) GOOD STYLE! And good style can be subjective of course for different people so there’s no real definitive win on this argument. I personally have to hold my tongue when seeing really contrived or ugly style which to me usually looks like “gravity is winning” style when a skater doesn’t look light on their board which is common on a surfskate because they are so heavy and clunky compared to regular setups. KS could of been kinder by being silent but one can also see a collective frustration he is defending for the roots of something he helped build and is steeped in, and the way social media livelihood has made everything look and feel these days. I would argue that he’s got a point but also that he should let others do their thing too, even if it is for lack of a better term “cringe” to a seasoned viewer.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Excellent comment, thanks for taking the time to respond. I think there is definitely a point to be made, and I cringe a lot seeing the over-the-top-contrived clips, or bikini-clad board-holders killing it on Instagram over surfskaters who do things with pure skill, style and talent, like Arthur Vieira as one example. Eventually if surfskating is to survive and be more than a fad I think we need the audience to begin to appreciate that true skill and more efficient style that relies less on theatrics. KS' comment, as inelegant as it was, started a discussion which might be good in the long run, we'll just have to wait and see.

[@75YBA]

Love the channel, love the inclusive attitude. All the best to you and yours!

[@Hotwire_RCTrix]

Einstein once said "God doesn't play dice!". He was referring to quantum mechanics and later he did a complete 180 and referred to QM as "the greatest discovery of the 20th century". GOAT doesn't mean infallible. Itano and Philipe swear by surfskates and I do too. Fake Steez probably applied to Tom Curren and Mark Richards back in the 70s but it also built there impressive styles. Kelly wouldn't rain on Tom or MR so he should be more considerate those less renowned.

[@chickenman151]

Surfers say Kook, skaters say better made up words... Like " that guy is a barn" a barn is short for a Barney. Kook is a word for kooks. I will never use that word... I don't surf I skate

[@johnnyguzman3429]

We all start somewhere and at some point we are all kooks. I took surf lessons in Rincon, Puerto Rico with my prior experience being surfskating and paddleboarding, which to a surfer or core skateboarder have to be the kookiest things out there. My surf instructor was impressed at how I got on the board so fast and how the pop up was the only thing I needed help on. I told him I've never surfed, but Im always visualizing the wave in my mind. Went to a surf shop after my lessons to rent a board. I told the owner that I was a kook and a beginner surfer. Got way more respect from just admitting it and he was on friendly terms with me after that. Embrace your kookiness. We can't stop being kooks, since everybody is or was once one.

[@daniloljr]

The greatest kook on surfing calling someoelse as a kook. What a joke. But for a guy like Kelly to waste his precious time criticizing on social media, a guy who is making his job and raising the surfskate modality, he must be feeling pretty uncomfortable. Even more so that he was not the one who invented the modality. It is better Kelly talks with Filipe Toledo, Gabriel Medina, Konor Oleary, Johanne Defay, JOB, Kai Lenny and all other surfers that have surfskated to improve their trainning to stop it. Including to stop selling their pro models. Keep doing this amazing job! 100% agree with your video. Skate and surf are freedom, are art. Cheers!

[@masisam]

Surfskating competition surfers always apear to have a natural 'surfy' steeze imo; acheived from surfing first and skating second. Rare to see non-surfing surfskaters achieve it and attempts to do so usually look forsed and ugly.

[@DennisSattler]

I been surfing since the 80s and surfskating for a few years and I'm kinda puzzled with the idea of something on four wheels on stationary ground having anything to with training for something that has no wheels on water that is moving. Sure skating will help you with balance and staying in shape, but using one to train for the other is beyond me. I just don't getting it and it makes me laugh when I hear people call it surf training. As for Kelley, he's known to be quite a jerk.

[@stephenberry6191]

Surf skating is a great on land practice. Perhaps even the best surfer in the world might feel scared when first standing on a surf skate. Until this feeling is overcome through practice and progression it remains scary. Perhaps if Kelly can ride a surf skate? then he could perform the best body mechanics in replicating surfing manoeuvres. Surely encouraging surf progression should still be his goal in helping others enjoy the sport? Maybe there is a push for a surf skate area in his surf park and he can’t surf skate?

[@surfonland3402]

I dont care if hes the GOAT of surfing,hes out a line bro,for me its your skate,your rules

[@Juan-yq3fb]

Surf skateboards are still for kooks…

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

People say that until they try one. Some people will try one and still say "they are for kooks, not for me" because they are more worried about how others perceive them than about enjoying the fun things in life.

[@robc7311]

There’s enough division in this world. C’mon Kelly! Don’t create more!

[@ninoaniceto]

Not everyone has a wave pool that simulates surfing. 😂

[@claudiakoning]

Fandom is what makes one mans opinion so important. It's ok not to like things.

[@DeniseNepraunig]

Gosh if Kelly S would see my latest IG reel where I sit on the surfskate and pump while sitting just for fun he would probably destroy me 🙈. And no one would really practice a pop up on a surfskate but hey you could do it for fun. This week a friend and I were laying flat on our (surf)skateboards and did a little paddle race 😅. Almost got sore muscles from laughing so hard while doing it. Some people like certain surfskate styles (like a surfer on a wave with big arm movements) and some people DON'T like it, the difference is that you don't have to ridicule another person publicly and being the GOAT also doesn't give you that right. I only surfskate, I like the way Andrey explains it and his videos in the course are top notch. If I want to listen to a Pro surfer and learn surfskating I go to Ombe and listen to Clayton Nienaber - layed back and effortless minimal style.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Exactly, I think it is good for different people to have different style preferences, it would be boring if we all liked or did things the exact same way.

[@imppao]

I took up surfskate during covid and bought a couple of courses one from André and then "The ultimate surfskate program" by Kale Brock. I learnt a bit of teaching from each course. I started with a Carver than bought me a Smoothstar, because it seemed to be the right board to practiser surfskate. And then a month ago I saw a video from Ombe by Clayton Nienaber where he explained how bad "smoothstar wiggling" is and how training on flatland will not improve your surf. So I sold my smoothstar... And started training on bowls, and that's really what I like most. And then this bomb from KS came and I really felt a cook too.. 😁 What I really wanna say is that it's not easy to pick up the right teaching when you're starting surfskate especially now that there is a ton of video, shorts and courses in the Web. Thanks for discussing this thing Mark and for giving us a chance to let others express their feelings. ✌️☮️🌈

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

My feeling is that the right instructor can give you a head start in your learning, but ultimately it is the time you invest on the board that will let you develop the skills and style that is right for you.

[@SurfskateLove]

Love it, Mark. Thank you.

[@surfskatepuzzle]

'If you earn money from coaching, if you call yourself "the surf skate accademy" - do it professionally but not at intermediate level'- this is what I think Kelly had in mind with his post. Maybe he could express that in different words, but the essence is the same, and it was adressed not personally to that guy.

[@wingnut381]

I consider you to be a pretty good skater. I consider myself to be a very ordinary skater. Is this a problem? Can’t we all just get out there and have fun whatever level we are at?

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

No problem whatsoever, I skate with people who are fun to be around and skill is one of the last things that would factor into that equation.

[@wingnut381]

Exactly great answer!

[@reyesarg]

Go get in the water. If you fall it doesn't hurt as much.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Ironically the one time I needed my face put back together by a plastic surgeon was from getting a surfboard in the side of the head

[@saylyakroman]

Sterling Spencer already did a parody of this "video tutorial" and its very funny. He shouldn't teach people and take money for this if he have such a bad technics. He should be a better surfer to teach people so Kelly is right

[@scottycartercom]

Wow….slater was being funny. Nobody has a sense of humor anymore they take surfing and followers more seriously than just havin a good time. What an honor to have slater goat you. Dude….fallow waves film them share them. Stop sharing these bullshit videos about relationships and what is truly divisive and quite frankly subjective. Go catch a wave smile and get off social media and making KZbin videos about words and feelings. Film the wave brother….film the ocean. Get out of the house and bail any dream of big numbers. Enjoy your life share it and the numbers will come. Please don’t take it personal. Just advice for mankind’s sanity and a healthy future for our tribe brother🤙🏽

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

No offence but “just live by the ocean” isn’t helpful advice. Not everyone has that privilege. If you do, get off KZbin and go catch a wave and smile for those of us who can’t.

[@mtnrabi]

Love your channel and content bro. Amazing value

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

I appreciate that!

[@dannypabon2973]

Let's see Mr Slater on a surfskate, then continue this conversation. Until then, do what you love and love how you do it. Support or not.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Rather than critique his skate style, I'd be happy to offer my coaching services so he can improve. It would be great if he could get better and share the stoke.

[@dannypabon2973]

@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer

[@hofx666]

I’d agree. The content people put out on social media is hilarious. I saw a surf style skate comp with a bunch of chicks and it just made me laugh.

[@greenlion7750]

it's just extremely kooky and that's the only people that are into it. Y'all just have to deal with it, the ridicule will never end. In the 80's people hated skateboarding and we dealt with it without tears or youtube videos. It is appropriating surfing and skateboarding (which are earned disciplines, no fast-track or shortcuts) and associating with them too much. Change the name to something else and you will get less heat for it. Fun fact tho: Slater himself had a super kooky skateboard company in the late 90's called the K-Skate which looks like one of these suss crafts. Which definitely fueled this fad.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

I skate, I surf, and I surfskate. The way some people do it looks atrocious, I get that, but when done well at high level it combines the best of both worlds into a thing of beauty. It takes the smooth flow of surfing and allows for its application anywhere, one's creativity and courage are the only boundaries. I can take that beautiful flow down a mountain, up a wall, through a bowl, over a staircase, and never have to put a foot down to push. Here is a 90 second edit of my version of surfskating as I see it. It isn't everyone's cup of tea and that is fine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIK8qouvbbBsbqM

[@jmeib]

Kelly is overrated in my opinion

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

With 56 major title wins, it is hard to argue the ability and accomplishment side, but I get what you mean, skill and talent aren't everything, and I always appreciated the soul surfers more.

[@LK-bh1qw]

1. Surfing is a soul activity and expression so I take umbrage at the notion of labeling people as goats, I don't care about his successes in competition or his success in monetizing a career in which surely even he, once, at his beginning, was in it exclusively for soulful, joyful reasons. #2 Of course he "has the right to have his say" but to say he's "earned" it... ridiculous, nuance in words as with style, matters. And style, like someone's or not, is all personal, like taste. 3. Style and ability can continue to grow or stagnate and for some it's just harder than others. But one's progression or lack thereof, in style and ability does not diminish their personal sense of soulful expression. In other words, didn't we all get into surfing, skating, surf skating for the pure joy of it. All this judgement on each other, since I was a kid starting out on clay wheels, I'm 60 now, I never bought into it. It's always been about having fun, pushing my own personal limits and not measuring myself against others.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Definitely agree on the soul side but since competition success and name recognition is a good metric that can be measured somewhat objectively I felt comfortable using it here. Kelly Slater is the name that non-surfers know. The Tony Hawk, the Tiger Woods, the Lebron James/Michael Jordan... Individual sports like surfing and skateboarding and snowboarding are so much more about a connection with the style and trick selection and bravery or creativity, part of what I love about board sports.

[@Q-nt-Tf]

surfskating is wack af. much worse than inline skating and that says alot. just skateboard or surf and don't be a grifting andre.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Anything particular or just inherently wack and nobody could do it unwack?

[@JasonFink4rg05]

I'll try again. Calling someone names on the internet isn't right. @pdanny sums up my own thoughts on it. Surfskates can help with surfing (mostly for smaller things.) From the get-go - they help with balance fundamentals. Try going between a regular skateboard then surfskate in the same session :) I also happen to think if you see a problem with something and it bothers you so much you want to drop a comment like that - maybe you should be more specific and even offer to help? When I was younger (like 35 years ago younger) I was sitting on the beach saying something about another surfers lack of skill to my girlfriend who - correctly yet privately said to me - "why don't you go help him out?" I was wrong, she called me on it using this technology known as "speaking to another human in person" and I did. So, another point someone made, @threeohm - yes :) As usual keep up the good work.