Kelly Slater also retires...at the end of next year
Just hours after Joel Parkinson announced his retirement from pro surfing, Kelly Slater sat in the commentators booth at the J'Bay Open. "I'll make an announcement," said Kelly raising his hand.
"Go!" replied Ronnie Blakey excitedly.
"My basic plan is to get myself really healthy," said Kelly, "get ready for April next year and make next year my last year on tour and just be done with it.”
So, a quick recap:
Parko is retiring this year and announced it yesterday
Kelly is retiring next year but also announced it yesterday.
There was no heartfelt press release, as there was for Parko, nor any symbolism - Parko announced his retiement in J'Bay because he first won the contest as a wildcard. His career going full circle and all that.
Kelly's disclosure almost seemed like an afterthought, it coud've been announced at Tahit or Pipeline with equal effect.
With 18 months to go, cynics may wonder why he'd choose that particular day though there is some form on the board. In 2015, when Adriano De Souza won the world title, Kelly unleashed vision of his wave pool and set mouths agog. In 2016, John John celebrated his world title win in a 'private party', even the WSL having to film from over the fence, yet there was Kelly front and centre. Kelly's timing off the waves has proven as equisite as his timing on them.
Kelly's retirement wasn't unexpected, for the last two years he's intimated that he wouldn't be competing for much longer. At present, it seems he'll have to rely on an injury wildcard to qualify for next year, being currently ranked 36th on the CT and facing Jordy Smith in Round 2 of the J'Bay Open.
When, at the end of next year, the curtain finally falls, it'll conclude a lengthy, celebrated, and intriguing sports career.
Watch Kelly in the booth announce his retirement.
Comments
Slater - no comments cause no one cares. Parko - all class, well done mate on an incredible career.
Some perspective, let's rewind the clock:
The 2003 Pipeline Masters final is in progress with Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Joel Parkinson and Phil McDonald in the water. Kelly and Andy are vying for the world title; whoever wins this final becomes the 2003 world champion.
It's small Pipe with a weak north swell hitting the reef throwing more rights than lefts. Toward the end of the final a good looking wave approaches the reef with Kelly sitting in prime position. It's a heat winning wave, which, under this scenario, means a world title winning wave. The only other person who could possibly catch it is Parko, sitting north of Kelly, though he appears too deep to actually make the wave.
Parko takes the wave knowing he may not make it and also knowing he's got nothing to gain. However, the more important matter is that if Kelly doesn't catch the wave then Andy - Parko's friend and Billabong stablemate - wins the World Title.
@stunet
All hail 3X world champ AI....
Always seems like backhanded compliments from Slater. Goes without saying he is the best surfer this planet has seen but I find the bloke hard to believe.
So Kelly's status as potentially the greatest athlete in history is being degraded by his clinging to the media spotlight. The media are enabling this, but all of us who have read the above article are also guilty of the same.
Shoulda stayed out injured GOAT.
After his behavior at JBay, he should not even get the chance to surf next year. He admitted yesterday that he was in South Africa for a sponsor photo shoot and not to surf in the comp and he went out and surfed on a 5'3" with no real attempt to win.
And then today he is beaten by Jordy and whinges that it was too windy and that they wouldn't have been surfing if he had been there and been included in the decision as to whether they surfed or not.
There is no doubt that he is the GOAT but at the moment, he is acting like a goat and keeping a younger surfer out. Retire gracefully and join the commentary team and that would keep him in the spotlight if that is what he needs.
Yep he hasn't handled this at all well.
People totally reading into this wrong.
Most surfers like Mick or Joel seem happy to call it a day as their hearts aren’t in it anymore(their words)
Me thinks Kelly’s heart and mind Would love to keep going, however end of the day he is human and 45+ years old his body and reality is catching up.
The guy obviously doesn’t really want to retire it’s not something he wants to talk about or make a big deal about or celebrate, hence why if this is an announcement it’s done in such an unofficial casual way.
Yeah but he seems to want to still be centre of attention announcing it after Joel. Hubris?
Nah, it’s typical Slater knob behaviour to mention it on the same day as Parko.
Amazing surfer but he just can’t handle anyone else having the spotlight on them
Edit: this is reply to indo not memla
Parkos surfing sublime, definitely my favourite surfer through the 2000's. Good all rounder and will be missed from tour!
Kelly is so competitive he's probably trying to lose fans faster than the WSL.
Oh wait, he's also sorta part of the WSL... classic Kelly mindfuck.
Last one, last year or last time always = BAD LUCK.
Out of curiosity hows he gonna requalify. His recent images of the goats hoofs seemed like a desperate last ditch effort at being taken seriously for a injury wildcard after getting caught out taken sickys at 40ft cloudbreak after jjf got injured and probably will have a shot at one with caiio ibelli
Date: End of Tour Xmas 2019
*Kelly finishes WSL #8.
*Kelly has just scored #1 WSL Barrel of 2019
*Triple Crown Winner.
*Kelly announces to WSL he's competing on the 2020 Tour...
Kelly's dream of Olympics fell short by just one result ..or so 99% of surf magz imply.
Hawaiian JJF (US Team mate finished ahead at #7)
2020 Olympics (Nationality) Flexible & corruptible Olympic Rule...Never rule it out!
JJF is Hawaiian (Exceptions allowed Hawaii to keep it's Surfing Flag & comp records)
ISA/WSL could still push the point for separate Hawaiian Surfing inclusion.
Kelly has already hinted (Olympic entitlement) for Ireland (Mum) & Syria (Dad)
Kelly considers himself an Australian Resident since aged 20 (His first Oz residence)
Kelly returns each & every year & even a 15 year stint as a live in Oz Resident.
Note: Kelly finished ahead of crack WSL Oz Olympic Team...(Be captain of Oz Team)
Kelly could backdate nationality to ISA 2019 (re: WSL Tahiti, Japan, Brasil surfers)
Simply flashes Multi/Passport + a Selfie in Irish ISA Tent.
Olympic Comp Qualifying
Rules clearly state Olympians must compete via ISA Comp. (Open to review)
2020 ISA comp is in end of May (Around same time of 2019 JJF pulled up)
NOC (Team selectors) Deny non participating injured Athletes as a rule.
Kelly being next in line is a shoe in! (All here know this a likely event!)
2020 ISA / 5 Olympic spots is most open to interpretation to competitors.
The more you read these rules the more avenues open up.
Qualified WSL surfers are excused but JJF has yet to comply with ISA?
Full quota nations need not apply, but JJF is not compliant. (May allow next US surfer!)
Kelly hasn't qualified so may compete for 5 tickets but WSL rank is still above ISA.
One published interpretation..."(Provisional Olympians are just that!) NOC decides!
Current Provisional spots relate to the individuals...In other words, big finishes at the ISA event could disrupt rosters; the full Teams will not be locked in until June 2020".
This implies next WSL Surfers from full quota nations can compete in ISA 2020.
US NOC would easily choose #8 "ISA 2020 Champ over non participant injured #7
Kelly Slater is entitled to numerous...(more than any)...Olympic Qualifying options.
tbb is flabbergasted the whole world over & under have ruled out his Olympic Quest.
Ain't no whizz at Olympic Surfing Qualifying but reckon Kelly knows more options.
Kelly can easily qualify for "Olympian" Surf Sticker Prize Pack!
Olympic Surfer X...Never has to surf for rogue nation, just threaten to do so.
Invite alone is enough to wear Olympian tag! (None can take that away from him!)
Should Top 10 Kelly go around again & qualify...it comes as no surprise to any here!
2020 WSL Wave Pool Pro Surfing
'WSL Ultimate Surfer' won't wheel out a 2nd rate washed up retired Pro.
WSL has a Top 10 Pro host.(WSL can't buy that cred) Weekend at Kelly's (You bet!)
Texas Twister
2020 WSL Top 10 Pro opens his new Wave Pool...
Perhaps Pro Surfer could host & compete in Freshwater Texas Wave Pool.
(No reason why he couldn't) Comps change venues at drop of a hat...be crazy not to!
tbb exhibits just a sample of GOAT's 2020 year of possibilities.
Pause & consider what's on Kelly's plate...that's plenty enough without the tour.
This Week ~ Team USA News
US Olympic Surf Coaches to date...
May 2018 Joey Buran (Retired Dec'18)
Jan 2019 Chirs Gully Stone
2020 Olympic postponement doesn't change the Olympic Cycle of Coach Contracts.
July 2020 (4 US Olympic Surfers voted for new 2021 Olympic Coach).
Cue: Kelly Slater a certain Olympic Medal served up on a dias....(Well, no actually!)
Candidates: Gully (c) / Rainos Hayes / Shane Beschen / Mike Parsons / Brett Simpson
Congratulations Brett Simpson (Head Coach) (Unanimous Vote)
tbb thought, is this a trick? Kelly as Technical Coach or Back Up Surfer Invite-Medal?
Now we're getting close...recent interview Kelly said he stands ready to Go!
tbb previously noted that Kelly often lets JJF try out his latest rad toys at The Ranch..
You've all seen the Tonya Harding Movie...
Just saying as Kelly strokes his lap cat & elbows the Tidal Wave/GWS release button.
In this ABC interview Kelly reels off a diary of US Olympian's injuries...while drooling!
ABC : You are an Alternate for 2021 Team ...are you thinking about 2024.
Kelly : "Ha Ha! Well I'm still thinking about next Year!
Cause, we'll see... that both the guys ahead of me....(Names Athletes)
...I was just behind those guys!
Both had injuries, numerous for John & one for Kolohe recently and last year as well.
I'm trying to stay healthy in case that spot opens up!"
Kelly gifts JJF a Good Luck { TIKI }
2024 Teahupoo "Really dangerous amazing wave, which I've had a lot of success at!
I guess I would be probably the Oldest Olympic Athlete if i made that team?"
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/video/surfer-kelly-slater-talks-pivot...
Greatness Code (Promo) > ABC > (Nothing about ABC Ultimate Surfer?)