"Stroke, stroke, stroke." Kelly leads (apart from cameraman) an outrigger on an outer reef.

At age six a bodyboard surfing (stand up of course) Kelly Slater dreamed of surfing Hawaii, becoming a professional surfer and winning world titles, he did all this and more by the time he was 20 years of age. Now at 37 he’s achieved a new milestone. One that even a young and ambitious Slater dare not dream of. Being the star of an IMAX movie is unheard of –especially in 3D no. The Nine - times world champion and the biggest name in surfing is heading out to Australia next week to launch the ultimate surf film before heading to the Quiksilver Pro. Florida born Kelly Slater, who says some of the best waves in the world are in Australia, bursts onto the IMAX screen with an unrivalled, energetic look into the world’s most feared wave Teahupoo in Ultimate Wave Tahiti.

The K Dog strapped in on a Chopes growler.

Kelly will be attending the films premiers in both Melbourne and Sydney. The films focus is seen through his and big wave companion and Tahiti resident, Raimana Van Bastolaer eyes. Ultimate Wave Tahiti is the first 3D IMAX® and giant screen theatre film to use extreme surfing to focus on the science of waves. Kelly and Raimana seek out the best waves breaking on the reef at the famed surf site Teahupoo. The two share a passion for the waves, but different ideas about what surfing means: is it a modern competitive sport or an ancient Polynesian wave-riding art? Either way, when the right conditions arise they surf unique giant barrels and Slater tackles some of the heaviest plunging breakers on the planet, speeding through thundering barrels as they collapse around him. Onshore, Kelly and Raimana reflect on the risks, rewards and injuries and the loss of friends to the hazard of the shallow reef.

The two stars gazing at, err, stars in the Tahitian night sky.  Ahh...

The film, directed by award-winning IMAX filmmaker Stephen Low and his team of in-water and airborne cameramen, captures the power, majesty, and danger exhibited by ocean waves reaching their crescendo. Newly developed camera equipment was used to bring the theatregoer into the heart of these giant waves, capturing for the first time the energy and sounds of the ocean. Ultimate Wave Tahiti is an unforgettable, thought provoking documentary bringing together the world’s most famous surfer and the world’s most famous wave. The film serves as an informative resource for those with an interest in the ocean and its dynamics, providing viewers with a combination of thrills and intense beauty never before seen on the giant screen.

Even the champ takes gas every now and then... especially at Chopes.