Jacob “Zeke” Szekely likes to start shit, mix it up, stir the pot.
When he’s not surfing wavepools or stomping weird, innovative aerials or hunting down novelty waves, the San Diego surfer likes to poke a little fun at the surf world.
And no better place to do so than the literal zoo that is the US Open of Surfing.
In his latest vlog, Zeke hit Huntington Beach during the currently-running US Open of Surfing to teach groms how to sneak into the off-limits competitor’s area, give away free swag, and interview “fans” on location about their non-existent surf knowledge.
“What do you think about Kelly Slater?” he asks one bikini-clad attendee.
“Kelly Slater? I don’t know who that is,” they respond.
The antics continue; it’s not all Slater content. Along the way, Zeke does interview a handful of actual surfers, including past event winner and HB local Kanoa Igarashi, Costa Rica’s Challenger Series warrior Carlos Muñoz, among others.
But folks in the comments couldn’t get over the Slater stuff:
“You know it’s time to retire when the groms have no idea who Kelly slater is lol”
“Man, I feel old after hearing those kids NOT know who Kelly Slater is! Great video Zeke. CHEEEEEEEEEE ! lol”
“amazing… The number of people who don’t know who Kelly Slater is at a surf event this size lol. This is the root of the underground”
“the kelly slater thing is crazy bro. Great vid!”
Slater won the US Open twice – 1996 and 2011…just FYI.
But to be fair, he probably wouldn’t be caught dead today in the event, battling amongst the throngs of underground competitors, crazy crowds, and two-foot slop.
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