LOWER TRESTLES, Calif., Sept. 14 (UPI) — Despite surfer Kelly Slater’s backside air reverse and near loss of control during a stunt, judges at the World Surf League event in California were not impressed.
They issued him a 4.17 on a 10-point scale for his stunt, which had also caused him to momentarily lose control of his board then quickly regain it.
Martin Potter, a former world championships surfer, said during Australia’s ABC broadcast of the event that he was stunned by Slater’s trick and equally stunned by the judges’ impressions.
Slater executed the trick during the fifth round of the competition. Surfing magazine uploaded a picture of Slater’s stunt and said that despite the wow factor, it was “definitely not a proper pull … judges, you got this one right.”
This incited various responses from users, such as @whohowwhatnow who said “you need to defend your boys rather then your judges if nothing new ever happens in surfing comps it’s gunna [sic] die points need to be givin [sic] for trying new stuff as well.” Another user, @timbansky added: “It’s a move of the future. The WSL is slow to catch on.”
Surfer Mick Fanning ultimately won round No. 5.
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