Kelly Slater
Photograph By Dewey Nicks for ESPN The Magazine
FLEX TIME: "When I first examine someone, I check their range of motion. Kelly touched the ground easily, so I asked him to arch backward with his hands on his hips. A 35-degree angle is normal; Kelly touched his nose to the ground. I've seen only contortionists and yoga masters do that. We all have areas of our bodies that are tight and inflexible, but Kelly has only smoothness and grace." -- Tim Brown, ASP co-director of sports medicine
