Kelly Slater is one of the most famous and accomplished professional surfers in the world. He has won a record 11 World Surf League championships and over 60 championship tour events over the course of his long and successful career.
Kelly Slater is also well-known for his changing hairstyles over the years, ranging from long flowing locks in his early days to a clean shaven head in more recent years.
Kelly Slater’s Hair Transformation
In his early days on the world surf tour in the 1990s, Kelly Slater had long, curly brown hair that became part of his signature look as a young pro surfer. Photographs from Slater’s early competitive days show his long hair blowing in the wind as he ripped across the faces of huge waves.
However, in the late 1990s, Slater began experimenting with shorter hairstyles, sometimes buzzing his hair down to a short crop. It was around 2000 that Slater first began shaving his head completely bald, a dramatic change from the flowing mane he had become known for.
Reasons for Kelly Slater’s Baldness
There are a few factors that likely motivated Kelly Slater’s decision to go bald and shave his head:
Practicality
Having long hair while surfing massive waves can be problematic – it ends up covering your face and eyes which affects performance.
Shaving his head meant Slater didn’t have to worry about his hair coming loose or getting in his face while surfing. The practical benefits of having a shaved head make sense for a professional surfer.
Confidence
As Slater got older, his hairline began receding. Shaving what was left of his hair allowed Slater to embrace the bald look confidently. Going completely bald was likely easier for Slater than trying to disguise his hair loss. Slater has said that he feels the shaved head gives him a competitive edge.
Fashion Statement
The shaved head and bald look grew as a trend in the late 1990s among athletes and celebrities. Michael Jordan helped popularize the bald style which Slater soon adopted too. The edgy, standout look of the bald head became fashionable.
Personal Preference
Above all, Kelly Slater’s baldness reflects his personal preference for that look. As a style-conscious athlete, Slater clearly felt the shaved head was the right choice for him. After first buzzing down his hair in the late 90s, Slater seemed to prefer the ease of maintenance that having a bald head allowed.
Reactions to Kelly Slater’s Bald Look
Kelly Slater’s dramatic change from long locks to a shaved bald head generated a lot of attention and commentary when he first adopted the look. Some notable reactions include:
- Fellow surfer Andy Irons poked fun at Slater’s baldness, apparently mocking him at an event which led to a fight between the two surfers. This demonstrated the scrutiny Slater faced for the bold style move.
- Some fans expressed skepticism about Slater shaving off his iconic long hair, wondering if it would impact his popularity and marketability. However, Slater’s dominance in the sport ensured his stardom lived on.
- Slater’s bald look soon became emblematic of his competitive presence in the surfing world. The shaved head symbolized Slater’s no-nonsense, focused approach in his later career years.
- As more athletes like Michael Jordan embraced the bald look, Slater faced less criticism for his lack of hair compared to earlier years. Baldness developed into a popular trend.
- Younger generations of fans knew Kelly Slater primarily with his bald look, unlike older fans who remembered his younger long haired days. For them, the shaved head defined Slater.
Maintaining His Bald Look
To maintain his signature bald look over the years, Kelly Slater has to put in some degree of effort given he does not have naturally bald hair:
- Slater needs to shave his head thoroughly every couple of days to keep it cleanly bald. If he does not shave regularly, his hair grows in quite fast.
- Especially on surf trips in the sun, Slater needs to moisturize his bald head daily to prevent dryness or flaking of the skin on his scalp.
- In interviews, Slater has commented about using good sunscreen on his bald head when surfing to avoid sunburn. The exposed scalp can easily burn without sunscreen application.
- As he has gotten older, Slater has mentioned relying more on hats and headgear to protect his bald head from extreme sun exposure which could cause skin damage.
- Even the ocean’s saltwater can irritate bare skin on the scalp, so Slater has to rinse his head after surfing to keep the skin healthy.
The Future of Slater’s Bald Look
As he progresses through his 50s, Kelly Slater has maintained his clean bald look that he has become globally recognized for. Even with his competitive career in its later stages, Slater seems intent on retaining his distinctive bald appearance.
A full bald look has risks like sun exposure and skin irritation, but Slater has demonstrated how to properly care for and protect the scalp. For bald men like Slater who take the necessary precautions, baldness can be a feasible, sustainable lifestyle choice.
While he may grow out his hair again someday, Kelly Slater’s bald head has become his trademark. The lack of hair exemplifies Slater’s no-nonsense attitude and strong personal style.
Baldness helps define the iconic image Slater has built through his incredible surfing career. Kelly Slater’s bald look is likely here to stay as the championship surfer remains a cultural icon.
