Kelly Slater -- Best Celeb Surfer ... Is a Victoria's Secret Model!

There are TON of celebs who love to surf -- Anthony Kiedis, Matt McConaughey, Cameron Diaz -- but the best of the A-list is a famous Victoria's Secret model ... so says Kelly Slater.

The surf legend was out in NYC this week when he told us about the smokin' hot model who grew up riding waves ... before she went on to be #1 on Maxim's Hot 100 list.

Bonus -- Slater also says he recently came face-to-face with a SHARK during a cage diving trip with a friend and has the pic to prove it!

As for whether he fears the underwater predators when he's out on his board -- Kelly explains why he never worries about getting bit.