Kelly Slater surfboard is part of American History

December 15, 2011 | Surfing
Smithsonian National Museum of American History: Slater's surfboard is now showcased among more traditional sports equipment

A surfboard owned by Kelly Slater has been offered to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

The surfboard, made of white fiberglass and sporting a blue wave design covered with sponsor stickers throughout, is currently on view in the museum’s first-floor Artifact Walls.

The 11-time world surfing champion used it to conquer the 2010 Rip Curl Bells Beach. The magic stick is now showcased among more traditional sports equipment.

The perfect piece of surf memorabilia is available to all museum visitors, along with field hockey, lacrosse, baseball, football, kickball, basketball, water polo, soccer, ping-pong, and hockey gear.

The surfboard has a rubber pad at the back of the board for traction and three removable fins along the bottom.

"Over the past 20 years, his approach to surfing as a professional and dedicated philanthropist has changed how people surf and view the sport," said Jane Rogers, museum curator.

The National Museum of American History collects, preserves, and displays American heritage to tell the authentic stories of the American experience.