Kelly Slater Fights Hulk Hogan for Florida’s Biggest Celebrity

Per Florida Today, and their nomination of Slater for the title, they report:

“The 11-time surfing world champion known by many as the world’s best surfer grew up in Cocoa Beach. A nearly 10-foot statue of Slater surfing welcomes Cocoa Beach visitors along Highway A1A. Slater was also the youngest (age 20 in 1992) and the oldest (age 39 in 2011) world surfing champion in history. He turned pro upon graduation from Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High, where he made straight As. A one-time underwear model for Versace, Slater has graced the cover of many magazines and was once named one of the ‘100 Most Beautiful People in the World’ by People Magazine. He’s also appeared in several commercials and TV shows including Baywatch.”

It's well-known that Slater comes from the fickle shores of Cocoa Beach, Florida. That’s where he cut his teeth, in that unlikely surfing incubator, to become the greatest of all time. In his 2004 memoir, Pipe Dreams, Slater writes of his hometown:

“Ask any local what’s so special about Cocoa Beach, and you’re likely to hear that the most endearing customs are bikini contests, beer drinking, and stabbings at the pier. Don’t get me wrong. I love my hometown, but until now it certainly hadn’t been a big surfing supporter. In all my years flying the Cocoa Beach flag around the world, the city didn’t so much as give me a phone call of congratulations until I started dating Pamela Anderson.”

So, is Slater the most famous to come out of Brevard County, FL? Vote here.