Big Wave Davis simply gave Slater a wink and they paddled out, trading waves all afternoon.
In 2007 he also became the all-time leader in career event wins by winning the Pro event at near , California.
His surfing inspirations are said to be , , Josh Kerr, and , Andrew Bloom, Drew Phelps, Ken Wells, and Hunter Collins.
After turning professional in 1990, Slater struggled during his first two years on the professional tour, finishing 90th and 43rd in the world rankings those years.