Heroes are larger than life. The 10’ x 3’-9” pin shaped surf board entitled If Slater Bowled is 8x larger than life and is an homage to legendary 9 time winner of the ASP (The Association of Surfing Professionals) World Championship, Kelly Slater. He is widely acknowledged as the greatest surfer in history. Careers in a modern post-industrialized world have a continuum of existence with few markers to note progress or accomplishment along the way. Sports satisfy the vicarious need to experience closure. Like Paul Bunyan, we know who Slater competed against and how he won against all odds. The piece, If Slater Bowled explores the nature of modern myths, heroes and stereotypes and our culture’s relationship with both. It’s clear that Kelly Slater’s prowess is not in bowling however as his website describes “his burning competitive spirit…ambition and charisma” are characteristics that most likely would have taken him to the top in whatever he attempted, even bowling.
Heroes are larger than life. The 10’ x 3’-9” pin shaped surf board entitled If Slater Bowled is 8x larger than life and is an homage to legendary 9 time winner of the ASP (The Association of Surfing Professionals) World Championship, Kelly Slater. He is widely acknowledged as the greatest surfer in history. Careers in a modern post-industrialized world have a continuum of existence with few markers to note progress or accomplishment along the way. Sports satisfy the vicarious need to experience closure. Like Paul Bunyan, we know who Slater competed against and how he won against all odds. The piece, If Slater Bowled explores the nature of modern myths, heroes and stereotypes and our culture’s relationship with both. It’s clear that Kelly Slater’s prowess is not in bowling however as his website describes “his burning competitive spirit…ambition and charisma” are characteristics that most likely would have taken him to the top in whatever he attempted, even bowling.