Solana Beach-based photographer Todd Glaser documents Kelly Slater in a new book
Released this fall, Kelly Slater: A Life of Waves chronicles the intimate journey of 11-time world surf champion
“Compadre. Capturer. Custodian. Crewmate. A parallel visionary and sometimes singular witness.” These are Eddie Vedder’s monikers for photographer Todd Glaser in the foreward of the new Rizzoli book Kelly Slater: A Life of Waves, released this fall.
After all, Slater has been the GOAT of surfing for the last 30-plus years. Yet, Vedder’s amusing insights into his friend’s “superfreak” talent revs up the 240-page tome with unexpected quirk and color. He quips that “Michael Jordan is actually the Kelly Slater of Basketball,” and reveals the story — in slow-motion — of a pre-contest Slater methodically making a smoothie for Vedder’s daughter while the starting siren blows for the Pipeline Masters. Is this how he pre-games?
It’s an intimate portrait by Glaser, who’s had more access to Slater than any photographer over the course of their 17-year ride. The two bonded over their respective craft and athleticism. Slater on the waves. And Glaser in them with the barrel of his lens. The former pro bodyboarder is an intensely strong swimmer who is always experimenting with camera technology. Especially underwater.
“I’m always trying to challenge myself because I know Kelly is challenging himself in the water. It’s only fair to try and reciprocate that energy,” says Glaser. “He’s really the most surf-stoked person you’ll ever meet.”
In 2007, Glaser seized a chance meeting in the Rincon line-up, a famous surf spot in Santa Barbara County, shooting his last two frames (the debut shot is on page 24 of the book). At the time, Glaser was a photography student in Santa Barbara whose first subjects were his friends at surf PE at Seaside — his home break in Solana Beach.
The two went on to shoot Quiksilver campaigns and Surfer Magazine spreads with photos procured for the Smithsonian. Eventually, they became travel partners on the greatest surf days of their lives. The book has the action shots, but the juicier reveals are the off-duty moments: Slater making pancakes, Slater jamming on his guitar, Slater in his no-frills home gym, Slater bowling a strike after his 11th world title wearing an Andy Irons T-shirt.
![“[Kelly] is constantly drawing new lines and changing his approach to a wave like a painter does to a canvas,” says Glaser. “In this case, Kelly is riding a board that we collaborated on with artist Richard Phillips during the filming of my first book and film made alongside Taylor Steele”](https://ranchandcoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ToddGlaser-glasert_ALOW_0007_1080-720x480.jpg)
![“[Kelly] is constantly drawing new lines and changing his approach to a wave like a painter does to a canvas,” says Glaser. “In this case, Kelly is riding a board that we collaborated on with artist Richard Phillips during the filming of my first book and film made alongside Taylor Steele”](https://ranchandcoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ToddGlaser-glasert_ALOW_0007_1080-150x150.jpg)
“‘That might be the best wave I’ve ever seen on earth,’” says Slater in the book’s intro. “I can’t say how many times Todd and I exclaimed that while traversing the globe, but I’m happy to think we’ll say it again in the future. The idea will never die.”
It’s what fuels their eternal quest to forecast swells, analyze them, book the flights, change the flights, trudge to top-secret locations promising the biggest waves with the least amount of people.
“You never know until you get there,” says Slater. And that’s the promise of this book: You’re along for the ride.
The book is available at Warwick’s and Diesel bookstores.
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