Superstar Kelly Slater produces 'Houdini' escape from gnarly wave

Just when you thought you'd seen everything from surfing superstar Kelly Slater, the retiring legend has produced a stunning escape that has commentators flabbergasted.

Performing at the Billabong Pipe Masters in Hawaii, the 46-year-old was up against Brazilian Filipe Toledo in the third round, when he found himself in trouble - but miraculously pulled himself out.

Dubbed the 'the Houdini tube ride', the American got knocked off his feet by a wave, fell off his board, but somehow pulled it back underneath, bodyboarded briefly, before jumping back to his feet and exiting with arms raised in celebration.

The 11-time world champion tweeted later: "Well, that was interesting.

"I thought I just fell straight onto my belly and bodyboarded out. Didn't realise I had to grab for it!

"Haha, fun day."

Slater, who has announced he will retire after the 2019 world tour, dispatched Toledo and has since progressed through to the semi-finals.

 

Photo source Twitter