Here’s another reason to love Kelly Slater. On Wednesday, the 11-time World Surf League champion saved photographer Chris White’s wife and son from being swept away by a wave in Hawaii.
White took to Instagram on Thursday morning to thank Slater for his courageous act in saving his wife, Sarah, and their son, Van, writing:
So thankful the surf gods denied @kellyslater today cos for whatever reason he was right there to save my wife and kid who were swept across a road by a freak wave today. Forever grateful to the great man and so thankful my family is alive and safe.
White also thanked the lifeguards in the vicinity, “who saved many lives today.”
This whole thing was made possible because Slater got trapped inside at Waimea (a famously huge break) and had to paddle to shore and walk along the beach before reentering the water. He teased himself about it on Instagram:
It was during his walk that Slater came upon Sarah and Van White. He responded to the life saving with humility, too:
@chris.whitey thank you! I didn’t look at it that way but for some random reason I stopped there when I normally don’t and happened to be there. Lifeguards were on it either way and had it handled. So glad all is well and we can (someday) laugh about it. Van’s first wave was a huge one! Definitely a WA baby!
If he hadn’t already made it clear with his ability to create (mechanical) waves and fly, Slater’s feat of bravery officially earns him the title of Surf God.
