Cloudbreak isn’t just another wave—it’s surfing’s proving ground. For decades, that mythical left-hand reef off Tavarua, Fiji, has beckoned the world’s best, and few have dominated it like Kelly Slater. In 2013, Slater rode a near-perfect 20-point heat there—dispatching Seabass Zietz, John John Florence, and Mick Fanning in dramatic fashion—a performance etched in adrenaline and legend Surfer. His earlier successes include multiple Fiji Pro victories: he clinched the event in 2003, 2005, 2012, and 2013. Moments like these helped cement his legacy as the GOAT of surfing.
Now, that legacy converges with the sport’s pinnacle moment: Slater returns—perhaps for the final time—to the wave that’s defined him, as Cloudbreak hosts the 2025 WSL Finals. This marks the first time the Finals Day moves from California’s Lower Trestles to Fiji’s world-class reef. The event runs from August 27 to September 4, 2025, and features the top five men’s and women’s surfers in a one-day, winner-take-all showdown.
With history as his backdrop, Slater’s presence brings a deeper poetic resonance to the Finals. It’s not just about time on a board; it’s about legacy, closure—and cinematic gravity.
That sense of timeless craftsmanship extends beyond the waves. Breitling, the luxury Swiss watchmaker, has long partnered with Slater—not merely as a sponsor, but as a creative ally. Over the years, Slater co-designed several limited-edition timepieces, blending high-performance land and sea mechanics with his own surf aesthetic.
The latest offering, launched just this year, is the Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 “Kelly Slater”, a 500-piece limited edition featuring a lush, foliage-patterned dial inspired by tropical Hawaiian landscapes—Slater’s adopted home. It houses Breitling’s in-house B31 movement, and comes with a choice of a blue rubber mesh strap or a stainless-steel bracelet. Slater reflects, “Breitling has been with me for years. This watch reflects everything I love—the ocean, nature, and the easygoing style I’ve always connected with”.
As the 2025 Finals approach, Cloudbreak transforms from a stage to a symbol—representing the rawest expression of Slater’s mastery. The Finals will crown champions among this year’s elite—surfers like Jordy Smith, Jack Robinson, Italo Ferreira, Yago Dora, and Molly Picklum—who dominated the season en route to this razor-thin competition. Yet, even if Slater isn’t competing for a world title, his return alone elevates the moment: the wave, the man, the brand, all in perfect alignment.
In essence, the 2025 WSL Finals at Cloudbreak become more than just a competition—they’re a cinematic crescendo. It’s the culmination of surf artistry, nature’s raw theatre, and a champion’s legacy. As Cloudbreak barrels rise and surfers battle for glory, Slater—watch on wrist and history in tow—remains the enduring heartbeat of the moment.
