Surfing great Kelly Slater has confirmed he is on the verge of retiring from competition, saying he will end his peerless career “fairly soon”.
The 11-time world champion, 52, told the Guardian last year that he would end his career after the 2024 Olympics if he qualified to represent the US in Tahiti.
Griffin Colapinto and John John Florence have since claimed the two men’s spots on the US team, but Slater remains one to beat in the World Surf League despite nursing an injured hip that required major surgery last September.
That was proven again on Tuesday morning when Slater won his opening round in the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, defeating Hawaiian star Florence.
Thirty years after winning the first of his four titles at Bells, Slater said Tuesday that this is most likely the last time he will compete in the iconic event. Australians Mick Fanning and Mark Richards are the only other men to have won four Bells Beach titles.
“I haven’t made an announcement yet, but I’m going to wrap this thing (his career) up soon,” Slater said after his heat win. “So I’m just trying to enjoy everyone where I am right now.”
Slater said he would reconsider retirement if he wins a fifth Rip Curl Pro title – or the next event on the circuit, at Margaret River in Western Australia.
“They are probably my last Bells – not 100%. I mean, if I win this one or Margaret’s, I’ll earn my way back on tour next year,” he said. “But other than that, I’m fine with it if it’s my last. Thirty years since I won my first one, it would be a nice bookend.
“Bells isn’t one of my favorite waves, but when I come here it’s one of my favorite events – just the experience. It will be a bit of bittersweet sadness if I don’t return for the event.
Slater missed the most recent world tour round in Portugal due to injury and took his first heat win of the season on Tuesday. He is also expecting his second child, with Slater and his partner Kalani Miller making the announcement a few days ago. His son Taylor, from a previous relationship, is 28.
“The important things in life change very quickly when you have a child, but I still got a little more stressed in that heat than I wanted to,” he said of Tuesday morning’s win.
Slater’s latest operation on his long-standing hip problem lasted more than four hours and involved a body part from a cadaver.
“Who made the ultimate sacrifice for me?” Slater said when asked about his reaction when he found out what the operation would entail. “I can surf, so I’m happy, but I don’t surf (without) pain. Adrenaline helps.”
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As he ponders a possible swan song at Bells, Slater spoke of his mixed feelings about the location.
“It feels good to be back. It would be a real dream for me to try to win here again 30 years later,” he said. “But for now I’m just trying to enjoy the event, enjoy the people. .. from the good atmosphere down here.
“If you look at my results, you will see that it is love-hate. We fought a lot, but sometimes we get along. It’s a feel-good story when you win here because it’s such a challenging wave.”
Surfing’s most decorated star won his heat in conditions ranging from four feet to six feet.
Florence joined Slater to advance, with Hawaii’s Seth Moniz finishing third to advance to the elimination round.
The most recent of Slater’s record 56 tour victories came in Hawaii in early 2022.
Defending Australian champion Ethan Ewing also won his heat in the opening round, as did compatriot Jack Robinson.