Kelly Slater has come under fire for sharing divisive Covid-19 advice.
The surfing legend caused a local Australian surf program Instagram profile post to explode with activity when he came from nowhere to continue to promote his so-called pro-choice agenda.
Slater in August made headlines for speaking out about Covid-19 vaccinations, saying he wouldn’t submit to getting a jab based on the current Covid-19 landscape.
He insisted at the time he is not anti-vax.
The 49-year-old has now shared that view again when responding to a comment made by Australian Ironman champion Matt Poole.
The 32-year-old Aussie unwittingly sparked a social media frenzy when he spoke out in support of pushing vaccinations.
Poole, who is in a long-term relationship with Aussie Instagram influencer Tammy Hembrow, spoke out against the sceptical sections of the water sport communities and used an analogy that has been met with plenty of applause — and plenty of anger.
“The next time I head down to surfers I’m going to jump in the rip because “freedom of choice”,” Poole wrote in a comment that tagged in Aussie ironman legend Trevor Hendy.
“Trev you understand that – you just said you can’t dictate to me what is or isn’t potentially dangerous. It’s no issue for me, but as soon as I start telling others there is no danger in the rip, they’ll jump in too, and tell their mates and before you know it, there is a 100 of us in there. But Trev – that’s our choice.
“Now some of the 100 get in trouble, and lifesavers come to save them… putting those lifesavers in danger as well.
“Now 50 are drowning and the lifesavers are overrun, and can’t save them all or themselves…. But that was our choice.
“It’s not freedom of choice if it impacts others — it’s about helping others.”
Slater has since responded to Poole’s comment with outright disagreement.
The furore between the two athletes has since dragged in a huge number of Aussie stars, including former miss world Australia finalist Alicia Hill, Ironman athlete and model Jett Kenny, stand-up paddleboard champion Michael Booth, Australian actor Ingo Rademacher, surfer Clint Kimmins, radio host Angus O’Loughlin and Ironman athletes Tanyn Lyndon and Matt Bevilacqua.
Slater said in his response he believes he knows more about being healthy than 99 per cent of doctors.
“@matt_poole1 let me explain why your analogy makes no sense,” Slater wrote.
“If I know the risks (informed consent) and I judge the choice to be one that benefits/hurts me based on stats and info and my own ability (health), I can choose accordingly.
“If something happens to me it’s on me, not someone else. Your argument is a false equivalence. Apples and oranges. If 99.7% of all people would be fine with no lifeguard while in that rip and they’re given all the possibilities, most could swim the most dangerous part of that beach without risking drowning.
“And plenty of people drive without seatbelts. We can agree that’s statistically not a great thing at speed but it’s still your choice, not mine. And my seatbelt (like the gene therapy) doesn’t save you so that’s another fallacy. Now regarding covid…21 total deaths in OZ under the age of 30 and 6 below 20. This is clearly a disease of obese, unhealthy, and elderly if you study the official statistics.
“And for people saying listen to the doctors, I’m positive I know more about being healthy than 99% of doctors, but I wouldn’t trust me. But most of my covid info comes directly from doctor friends, many of them in disagreement with the official ‘science’.
“I had another of many friends have horrible reaction to the vaccine just today. She thought she was dying and fears her quality of life has changed in the past few days for good. My mom also is part of those underreported stats. Other friends have literally died from it. So anyone here shaming people who are affected or concerned does nothing but feed the ego.”
The 11-time world champion wrote he has doubts about the mental health advice and the doctors behind it.
“When you study and talk to health professionals that deal with actual health and find out about the immune system suppression from the vaccines one day, you’ll open your mind to it,” he wrote.
“Don’t worry, plenty of doctors also talk about this but your algorithm isn’t feeding it to you. It’s wild that people don’t believe we are born with the ability of our bodies to adjust and prepare for different health issues. Covid exposes the unhealthy underlying patterns and issues in people.”
Hendy had earlier posted he fears that speaking up for free choice “now means you are a danger to society”.
Rademacher also posted to share his belief that the doctors behind the health advice being given to Australians is coming from doctors “bought and paid for”.
“Your argument about the rip is almost as silly as seatbelt argument I keep hearing,” he wrote responding to Poole.
“It’s just not a good comparison. Freedom is much more important to preserve. It’s the most important thing. Do people really think this ends with a jab? What do you think comes next? More “health camps” yeah, you know the answer.
“You guys have already lost your democracy. Time to unite and fight. Maybe it’s not too late for Australia.”
Slater in August took to Instagram to share a quote given by pharmacologist Michael Yeadon, a former vice president of Pfizer, the makers of a popular COVID-19 vaccine.
“There is absolutely no need for vaccines to extinguish the pandemic,” the quote shared by Slater read.
“I’ve never heard such nonsense talked about vaccines. You do not vaccinate people who aren’t at risk from a disease. You also don’t set about planing to vaccinate millions of fit and healthy people with a vaccine that hasn’t been extensively tested on human subjects.”