Surf legend Kelly Slater opens up about his hopes for his unborn son – and the health secrets behind his incredible ability to take on the world’s best into his 50s

Kelly Slater has discovered some of the health secrets behind his record-breaking professional surfing career while speaking to partner Kalani Miller about his hopes for the baby he’s soon to have.

Many thought the greatest career in the sport’s history had come to an end earlier this month at Australia’s Margaret River Pro, when Slater choked back tears after being knocked out by points leader Griffin Colapinto.

He hugged his friend and rival, chaired from the beach and told his fans: ‘It’s not all roses, you know? But it was the best time of my life.”

After winning the world title 11 times and amassing 56 Championship Tour victories, no one can blame Slater for leaving the sport he loves.

After all, he’s expecting his first son with pregnant partner Kalani Miller and is spending time on the Gold Coast getting some well-deserved rest.

Many thought Slater had retired as he was chaired from the beach following his elimination from the Margaret River Pro (pictured)

Even at the age of 52, 11-time surfing champion Slater could still take it to the best young talent in the world

But shockingly, Slater plans to continue the professional tour well into his 50s.

“It’s actually funny because I never said the retirement word,” he said this week.

‘I’m quitting full-time competition. [But] I will still do some competitions, the competitions that I like and that I get the opportunity to do.

‘Nowadays I’m not chasing titles and things like that anymore. I have plenty of things I’m working on and things I’m passionate about.”

So how does Slater keep his mind and body sharp enough to compete with the best in the world at his age?

‘I’ve tried many things over the years to maximize my output and keep myself youthful and youthful. Fortunately, I was able to have a long career because I stayed injury-free and stayed healthy,” he said News Corp.

“I just take care of myself and it’s probably probably the most important thing in my life. My girlfriend and I make sure the ingredients are healthy and natural and try to limit processed foods, sweets and sugars. It’s a big part of our lives.’

Slater will continue to compete in professional events after his child is born, but will be more selective and not pursue world titles

Slater said the key to staying young was living a healthy lifestyle and keeping himself injury-free

The Floridian also attributes his astonishing longevity in the sport to the fact that he barely touches alcohol. His motto when it comes to toddy is “just take a sip here and there.”

But for now, Slater is very concerned with impending parenthood.

He already has one child, Taylor Slater, who is 28, a well-known photographer and painter.

Kelly is ready to be a parent again and hopes the newcomer brings the best qualities of himself and his partner Kalani Miller.

“We’re very excited, a little nerve-wracking, a little scary, but that’s part of the excitement and anticipation that comes with parenthood,” Slater said.

‘I am generally quite calm in stressful situations. Kalani is much more organized, more concerned with everything she needs to get done. So I hope our child is like that.

“But it’s also nice to like excitement and excitement, so maybe a little bit more of the physical life that I like and the balance of life that she likes.”