Illustrator and graphic designer Alberto Seveso was born in Milan in 1976. We gather it’s even more than we should know about him, since he writes on his website: “Does not really matter who I am or where I come from, the world has no borders. My illustrations speak for me.”

They do, indeed, speak for him, and illustrate to perfection Jordan Tappis’ recent interview with surfer Kelly Slater.

The eight-time world champion — his fourth win this year puts him in an excellent position to campaign for an astounding ninth world title — explains what keeps him competitively motivated: “Basically, just the love of surfing and competing. I grew up as a younger brother and learned to compete really well in order to get things I wanted — not because I was stronger or smarter, but because I was either sneaky or good.”

‘The King’ — his nickname on the ASP tour — sounds off on Iraq: “We seem to feel we’re in the right but I think America is starting to wake up, if for no other reason than they are scared for the troops. I could talk all day about it, but basically what it shows me is that we aren’t truly caring for people. The finger is pointing forward when it should be pointing back.”

He also explains that he is an agnostic: “I know all things are possible, but if there is a God, he’s been used in a strange way by a lot of people to make them feel right and just.” And when asked if he believes in love, his answer is crystal clear: “Absolutely, there’s nothing else to believe in.”

Kelly Slater is currently shooting for his third ASP World Tour win in Trestles, California, having entered the event the defending champion and first winning it in 2005.

Alberto Seveso
Images via Parisian Boys