Twenty Three Years - Kelly Slater & Quicksilver
Twenty Three years on, Kelly has decided to part ways with the company in a new venture to form his own surf clothing brand with the Kering group. They make Volcom, Puma and Gucci already, so they’ve certainly got the know-how to run a clothing label. There’s no word yet on what it will be called, where it will be based or what it’s going to look like, but we’re all still a little bit sad about Kellys departure from his long time sponsor. Kelly seems sad too, saying earlier this week:
“They've supported me through good times and bad, personal hardships and competitive triumphs, and never wavered in backing my choices and desires in all that time. The memories I have of joining the team and becoming like brothers with my heroes and team riders Tom Carroll and Ross Clarke-Jones and making lifelong friendships with Stephen Bell and others has fulfilled my life exponentially."
The announcement of the split was made on the first of April, some thought it was an April fools joke, others immediately assumed the worst. Now, four days on with no confession from Quicksilver, we’re forced to believe that it’s fair-dinkum, and Kelly really has gone his own way.
Look out for the new label coming soon, headed by Kelly Slater himself.
Tumbi Umbi, NSW
