Surfing Legend Kelly Slater Saves Woman And Child From Freak Wave

At age 43, Kelly Slater has quite the resumé, he launched his own clothing line, Outerknown, perfected the man-made wave pool, and has won 11 world titles.  But according to an Instagram post from Chris White, Slater did something he had never done before.

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 ?? ❤️? Thanks to all the lifeguards too who saved many lives today.

A photo posted by Chris White (@chris.whitey) on Jan 27, 2016 at 10:42pm PST

As White’s wife, Sarah and infant son, Van, were walking across the famous Kamehameha Highway in Oahu, a rogue wave came crashing across the street, striking Sarah and knocking over the stroller that Van was in. That is when Slater, who was walking by, jumped into action and saved the two from drowning.

According to Chris, a surf photographer from Australia, Van had swallowed a lot of sand and water. “Van was strapped into the pram and was swallowing water and sand. So lucky Slater got to the pram and flipped it back up.”

Slater responded with humility:, “Van’s first wave was a huge one!” Perhaps one day Van will follow in Slater’s footsteps and be the one catching waves.

Article by USports Editors