Kelly Slater snags Key to Surf City

By Jeff DiNunzio
ESPN Action Sports
Archive

ASP/ ScholtzKelly Slater at a press conference in May 2011.

On Tuesday, 10-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater will add to his collection of city keys. Huntington Beach, Calif., Mayor Joe Carchio will present Slater with a key to the city in a ceremony hosted by 1976 world champ Peter Townend.

In a press release, Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City, said it is recognizing Slater for his "exceptional accomplishments in the world of surfing, and his dedication for protecting the environment."

"Huntington has been a very big part of my growing up ... [and] is a big part of surfing and so much of [surfing's] history," Slater said in a statement. "I had my first chance to surf against my hero, Tom Curren, here ... I'm honored to be recognized here amongst so many of surfing's greats over the years."



This will be Slater's second key to an Orange County city. San Clemente, just north of Trestles Beach -- a World Tour stop for the Association of Surfing Professionals -- bestowed the decorated surfer the same honor in 2008.

Huntington also cited Slater's involvement in nearly 30 years' worth of contests in the city, including the annual U.S. Open of Surfing. However, Slater's representatives would not confirm his participation in the 2011 event, running from July 30 - August 7.

Slater will be awarded the key during Surf City Nights, a weekly street fair and farmers' market in downtown Huntington. The gathering is sponsored in part by Jack's Surfboards, site of the surfing hall of fame.

For more information visit:

http://www.kellyslater.com/ 

http://www.surfingwalkoffame.com/