“The Sultan of Sunset” To win a pro contest in 10-12 foot Sunset is a heroic feat, to win two back to back, is the stuff of legends. Gary “Kong” Elkerton dominated sunset in the winter of 1987 like no other before or since. Nearly two weeks after winning the Hard Rock Cafe World Cup, he found himself in the final at the Billabong Pro, again at Sunset, against Martin Potter, Shaun Thomson, and Glen Winton. Tomson looked strong, but Elkerton conquered, cementing his rule of the fierce right-hander and owning that year’s Triple Crown of Surfing. Photo: Joli
“Kelly Loves Andy” The greatest rivalry in the history of surfing undoubtedly belongs to Kauai’s Andy Irons, and Floridian Kelly Slater. The entire year of 2003 was fraught with stink-eye, callouts, and not so subtle claims. The tension culminated as the world title race between Kelly and Andy was to be decided by the Pipe Master’s final. Just prior to the monumental heat, we suddenly find Kelly embracing Andy. What could he have possibly said? It was later revealed he told Andy he loved him. A moment of sincerity or a shrewd tactic, we may never know, but it didn’t get inside Andy’s head as he went on to claiming the Pipe Masters, and his second consecutive world title. Photo: DJ Struntz