April Fools From Kelly Slater?

International surf media is up in arms today (1st April) since Kelly Slater apparently called it time with Quiksilver.

You can read the original article from the ASP here.

I wasn’t 100% where I stood to start with the first announcement (seems April Foolers are all over the place this year), Carve Magazine and Surfline still aren’t sure and the guys at MagicSeaweed are convinced it’s a joke:

We are calling April Fools on the ASP announcement that Kelly Slater has quit Quiksilver.

A worthy effort, but a bit obvious. ~Magicseaweed

But with statements from the likes of Bob McKnight, Founder and Executive Chairman of Quiksilver, it’d have been a pretty convoluted prank.

“Kelly has been a part of the Quiksilver family for over 20 years. It’s been an incredible journey watching him grow from a young surfer with great potential, to the 11-time World Champion he is today. We wish Kelly all the best as he enters this next phase of his career.” ~ Bob McKnight

Why would you say such a damaging thing about your brand for the sake of some cheap laughs? It doesn’t add up.

After reading this, I’m 100% that the whole thing is true. More over, I’m happy for it. With Slater’s do good attitude when it comes to surf ecology, I’m glad to see him moving into a partnership that will benefit our blue planet. Here’s a tiny section from his leaving letter:

I am excited to tell you that I’ve chosen The Kering Group as a partner. They share my values and have the ability to support me in all of my endeavors. ~Kelly Slater

Good on you slats!

If not Quiksilver, I wonder what colours he’ll be wearing tomorrow as the second stop on the 2014 World Tour, The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, gets underway.