Kelly Slater Reveals Serious Spinal Condition (Photos)

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Sep 6, 2025 1:28 PM ET

At 53 years old, with a professional surfing career spanning multiple decades and generations, Kelly Slater is a unicorn of the sporting world.

Most athletes, in most sports, have a couple good years in them – maybe 10, tops. But Slater? He’s been practically in his prime for a long time, winning his first world championship at 20 years old (in 1992) and his eleventh just shy of 40 (in 2011).

And so, along the way, it’s understandable that the GOAT would wind up with some injuries. A few of which have been documented and discussed. But recently, Slater got candid about the scoliosis in his spine, and shared some shocking imagery.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kelly Slater (@kellyslater)

With screenshots of an MRI scan, Slater shared his totally tweaked, nearly S-shaped backbone. Opening up about the condition, Slater wrote:

“Clearly my scoliosis, which I’ve spoken about many times, is a serious issue but there were a few things I was unaware of that I reviewed with their doctor to either deal with or keep in mind as I continue future scans and see any noticeable changes. Showing my spine feels super personal as it’s crazy to see the curvature I’ve dealt with all these years but I think it’s important people know we all deal with physical ailments and can find ways to minimize their impacts and potentially reverse what comes up.”

After witnessing Slater hanging out in Fiji just recently during the WSL Finals, enjoying the action and spending time his new baby boy, Tao, lapping it up in the Tavarua Island Resort pool, the GOAT seemed fit as ever. Chiseled, in fact.

And if his surfing has anything to glean about his current health, pretty safe to say that Slater is still the best to ever do it…even at 53.

Check out this most recent clip from Restaurants below: