Slater To Retire After The Olympics (If He Qualifies)
There once existed a sub-genre in surf journalism devoted entirely to Kelly Slater's retirement.
The topic provided fodder for quiet times but heated up towards the end of every year from 2011 - his last world title year - to about 2017. I don't know for sure as the topic just kinda faded away as Kelly kept on competing and proving the speculators wrong.
It popped up again in 2018 when Parko announced his retirement and Slater subsequently made an unsolicited announcement they'd he'd be also retiring, albeit the following season, in 2019.
The moment never came and Slater stayed on tour, next announcing his retirement to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani. That was in December 2021 and he said he'd be done by 2022.
That moment never came either.
After the first contest of the 2022 season, when Slater won Pipe in glorious conditions against a stacked field, speculation was again rife. Commentators were sure there'd never be a more fitting time for Slater to drop the mic.
Slater after winning Pipe in 2022 (WSL/Heff)
Instead he stayed, put on the vest for Sunset and finished second-last after copping an interference.
While his peers have largely made gracious exits from the sport, choosing a fitting moment has eluded Slater.
Yesterday, he made another retirement announcement, this time to The Guardian, telling them he'd retire in 2024 - but with a proviso: "If I make the Olympics, I’ll retire at the Olympics,” said Slater.
“I’m really hoping to qualify for it, but I need to get my butt into gear,” he continued.
“The qualification process is going to be tough, but if I can get into the Olympics, the location the event is at in Tahiti – that wave really suits my strengths. So if I can get there I think I have a really good chance of a medal, but I think the harder part is going to be getting there, to be honest.”
Slater made no mention of what will happen if he doesn't make the team, nor if he doesn't make the mid-year cut this year or next. Being cut was unthinkable a few years ago, yet his rankings have inexorably slid. He currently sits equal 16th, sharing it with nine surfers, meaning he's right on the cut line, albeit with three events left.
At the Olympics each country can send two surfers by gender. At Tokyo, Slater was third behind John John and Kolohe Andino, however a new rule has been added that whichever nation wins the World Surfing Games can send a third surfer. If the US win - a hard task against Brazil - then Slater's chances at the Olympics increase.
Comments
his seinfeld moment has passed. we all know how this ends. shame really.
I turned 40 recently, I'm not old, but I'm not young either. Slater is an inspiration to show us all what's possible. Pipe last year was one of the best moments I've ever seen in pro surfing. I for one am glad he's stayed in the fight.
I'm 48 and reckon I could give Kelly a run in the air nowadays. I train 10-12hrs/week in MMA and yoga. Doesn't change my comment. You need to know when to hold and when to fold. He finished 17 last yr. He can't keep up with young guys in air and Jack robbo and Gabe are better all rounders.
Fully agree, he doesn't have the all round game, not by a mile. But the dude still finished top 20 at 50, which depending on how you look at it is arguably as impressive as being in the top 5 in your 20's. Each to their own I guess. Doubt he can make the olympics cut, and that contest will probably be some pool shit anyway - but big Chopes on the other hand...
dont disagree with any of the above. all very valid points mate.
I think the Paris Olympics surfing is being held at chopes. So if he can somehow qualify he'd be a good chance for gold.
Agree Roth, Gabby, Robbo and I'd put John John in there also, as better all round surfers, have been for years. Obviously Slater would give anyone a run in the barrell front or backside. He should've retired at Pipe 2022, what a Swan song it would've been. Anyway, it's his life, all the best if he makes the Olympics!
absolutely JJF belongs in that elite group of 3. but i think John has bad genetics and his knees are gonna get the better of him. i think he has been out water for 3 of the last 5 yrs with knee injuries. i feel his career may be cut short and he may need better health advice or injury more serious than he lets on and then he doesnt let it heal. something is not right here and he needs to listen to his body and drs more, and perhaps only practice airs in the pools primarily where he knows he can stick most of them. and you are right its slaters life and we can enjoy the entertainment!
hey Roth, how do your airs compare to JJF?
They don't. The new generation of aerialists is a paradigm shift. I would say Filipe is the best aerial surfer on tour. But I haven't killed my knees so maybe I'm not trying hard enough.
He’s still a savage competitor and in waves of consequence he’s one of the best. Can he win another event, there is no question YES!!. Just adding another notch to his incredible record. He is the inspiration to every ageing surfer and there is no one in that age group that can get anywhere close to his surfing ability…..Greatest ambassador to our sport, the GOAT
If I could surf on a world tour (that I legitimately qualified for) in perfect waves, or retire and surf with the masses, it would be an easy choice for me
never before has such truth been typed into the internet
how does it end ?...and what is the shame component ? ....Him staying on tour as long as possible, is like getting a parking spot outside the building, I believe that is in fact a Seinfeld moment.
Currently has Griffen, JJF, Seth Moniz and Nat Young in front of him.
Should stick to sandbar slabs. Seems much happier there.
In his favour, there really aren't a bunch of seppos tearing the bag. Assuming JJF is a gimme (if fit), are Grif, Kolohe and maybe Nat Young the main threats he needs to best? Barron Mamiya maybe?
Or, he could transition and clean up as a chick. Can we really say the 11x champ has "done it all" until he has won Olympic gold as a woman?
I reckon he should have bowed out after 2022 Pipe, but can't blame him either for sticking around. Seeing as he is still here, it would be cool to see him at the Olympics.
Griff and JJF definitely well ahead of him.
I'm sure there was another retirement call in there as well- possibly Pipe 2019.
Lets be honest, it is hard to keep track of them all.
Dec 2011: "Kelly Slater to retire again"
https://www.swellnet.com/news/surfpolitik/2011/12/12/kelly-slater-retire...
Nov 2008: "Right now would be a great time to retire and just watch from the sidelines," Slater, 36, said Friday after winning his record sixth Pipeline Masters."
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/sports/15iht-surf15.18697301.html
June 2007: "Slater tipped to retire from surfing"
https://amp.smh.com.au/sport/slater-tipped-to-retire-from-surfing-200706...
Feb 2006: "Kelly Slater Awaits Quiksilver Pro Outcome Before Deciding Future: Could Kelly Retire?"
https://www.surfer.com/surfing-magazine-archive/surfing-news/slater-0214...
Probably be still giving it a crack at 60!
If he is enjoying the ride, why get off???
Always thought Kelly’s ‘retirement’ announcement straight after Parko made his was a real dick move.
Calling it quits after Pipe last year really was the perfect time to walk away, I think he may come to regret that big time when he doesn’t make the mid year cut.
He would need to make the cut first...which you would imagine he needs conditions for barrels and not turns...
Supertubos and Margies if they get Box/North Point are realistic...Bells he might jag a result if it gets solid?
Do they parachute him in with a wildcard if he doesn't make it?
If he makes the cut he then needs to out place JJ and Griff I would imagine...
Chopes, J-Bay and The Ranch are ok for him, but you got El Sal and Rio in there...
Can't see it KS sorry...
A fairytale finish might end up being just that.
Could you imagine the hysteria though if he qualifies and nails Gold in 8-10ft Chopes!!
It is conceivable he could win Gold at Chopes.
But yeah, getting there will require lots of levers to be pulled.
In an ideal world he really should be gifted a spot into th Olympics.
The GOAT has done so much for surfing and im sure every single viewer would want to see him in the Olympics at pumping Chopes.
Wish there was another way, because i can't see him qualifying unfortunately.
nope... not me
I'm sure not every single viewer would want that, some still think,,,,lets put the athletes in the events that qualify properly each year, so we can watch the current best. GOATS are great and all, that's why we can watch replays if so desired, of when they were competing at the peak level. Give Kelly a parade and a highlight reel for sure, but not a free pass into anything.
Burleigh. Hi. Re; Kelly should be gifted a spot into the Olympics.
I’m interested in your comment where you state Kelly slater has ‘done so much for surfing’. I disagree with you. Please elaborate, because my view is that Kelly Slater has simply and purely done so much for Kelly Slater Surfing Inc. , period. AW.
If he is chasing the fairytale finish-perfect ending scenario then calling it quits after winning Pipeline in pumping waves as a 50 year old should of been the go.
I think anyone who has half a clue about surfing and surf history would prefer to win the Pipe Masters in epic waves than a gold medal for surfing at the Olympics
He's already won 8 pipe masters. So IMO the fairytale finish would be a gold at the Olympics.
Good point, and if it was macking Teuhupoo (spelling ???) it would be pretty epic
"Wolf!"
Totally .............@ Andrew P
.
Despite not really enjoying seeing him on the tour that much, it would be legit great to see him in the Olympics. The Olympics is a bit more of a spectacle than your average event and this would just aid in making it so. Probably a bit rough for him knowing he'd likely have a bunch of golds already if they'd just introduced the sport earlier.
I reckon the whole idea of going out gracefully is bullshit. Do it until you don't wanna do it anymore.
Im with you Peabo, who retires from work just because you had a good day in the office ?
Better than getting the sack for having a bunch of bad days!
He will get a wild card for 2024 as long as Outerknown sponsors Tahiti.
Im not upset about it, he's good to watch as the Sandbar clip shows.
(Does he still own the Wavepool or is this now in the hands of the Woz?)
Have you considered that this, what we see right now and the last few years, might be Kelly's idea of retirement? It's certainly interesting.
I am also not retiring from surfing before the Olympics, just to end any speculation on that front. I will not be answering any questions at this time.
Could be a possibility if serum testosterone concentration has been less than 5 nmol/L continuously for a period of the previous 12 months and secondly, meets any other requirements reasonably set by the Executive Committee and/or Medical Commission.
Seriously though when I'm catching up on highlights, Kelly is definitly a heat recap I never miss.
He's acting more like maddona every day.
Tragic really. Has his exit last year
...........
Southpak could do an episode of Kelly retiring and announcing he is retiring and coming back, and being an alternative healing promoter, and retiring and anouncing he is retiring.
It's getting a bit "stop looking at me"
he won't ever retire willingly. it's like getting a really good wave.. what happens next is, you froth out for another one. that is exactly what happened to slater after 2022 pipe win.. I don't think he can stop competing... kinda like a good guitar player, they make music up until they die...
He should of been given a wildcard last Olympics regardless of where he finished, first time surfing in olympics I recon there was room for an 11 time world champ that’s still competing
Might have to change his nickname from Jimmy Slade to Johnny Farnham at this rate.
To be fair though, he did retire once, but then came back again.
Regardless, as long as he's on tour, i'll happily continue to keep watching him. He's a pure magician in the ocean.
Being that good and dedicated to something comes at a price. It’s clear Kelly has committed every single fibre in his body to professional surfing over the last 30 years and that has come at the cost of his personal life and life outside of pro surfing.
He is afraid to retire as it’s all he knows. Power to him though but not sure why he always feels like he has something to prove, surely after all these years he’s not travelling around the world in a circus with people a third of his age for the love of it.
Maybe he feels robbed of the 12th title and wants to prove it - I thought he was robbed when the difference came down to one or two waves. I'm a Mick&Parko fan from Oz but there was one year even I thought Kelly should have won his 12th, if not for underscored waves. If he had I don't rekn he would still be competing.
Kelly wants a gold medal. Oh lordy. Not a bronze, not a silver, golden glory for the goat. Individual honours, we've got the extravaganza of the world wide wozzle for that remember, you won 11 times and rightly so you earned them all but
I'd like to hear something new from the Olympics like they're going to introduce a mixed doubles or a teams medal at Teahupoo? That's the Olympic spirit isn't it? Team!
Mixed doubles takeoffs at overhead Teahupoʻo could be entertaining if it was big enough....
maybe for extra points; one natural & one goofyfoot tandem?
& we can support other Olympic artistic swimming events like "the warriors" below
US are Kooks at Olympic Surfing, leaning on Hawaiians for a medal chance!
Unless they hijack the games...(Here's Team USA's dastardly desperate evil plan to win a medal)
Swap French Beach breaks for Team USA preferred Heavy Weight Teahupoo.(Tick!)
2024 adds Jock Team slots to suit Team USA Jet setting High Flyers.(Tick!)
Hook up Compulsory 2022/2023/2024 ISA /WSL Qualifications in Americas (Tick!)
Throw in a Universal Surfer that looks a little too much like Kelly already! (Tick!)
WSL 2023 Olympic Americana Banned Qualifying Events
30% of Surfers Banned from 2022 ISA US Event + [-] Unvaxed Test for ISA 2023
30% of Surfers Banned from 2023 WSL US Events 1/2/6/Finals + [-] Unvaxed Test for Event 8
Here's how USA over cooked their home ground advantage lock outs.
US Chix WSL 6/10 + ISA Qualification / US Men WSL 3/10 + (ISA 2nd preference Qualification)
To date "All" 2022/23 ISA / WSL / IOC Qualifying Events have been banned to 30% of the World.
In what world is that fair...IOC rubber stamp ISA / WSL / USA unsportsmanlike behaviour.
Ask why IOC approved any US Qualifying events while nation mandates closed borders!
Unless of course they were instrumental in knocking out 30% athletes to ramp USA quota! Correct!
Upcoming Brazil CT 2022 / Chile ISA 2023 also require Unvaxed [-] Tests
Why must Olympics insist on breaching Covid nations that mandate against Worldly competitors.
Just leave the poor sick bastards isolate & run Qualifiers with Nations sharing the Olympic Spirit.
US Kelly is afforded 16 Olympic Qualifying chances for 2024 Games.
Any one of 10 WSL Event Wins + ISA 2022 (1) / 2023 (1) 2024 (Top 5)
2022/24 (2x USA Team win picks) + Hot Fav' for The Universal pick.
30% Unvaxed surfers have just 2 chances > 2024 (Top 5) Finish + Universal pick...(No chance!)
Unvaxed CT surfers soon have 7/10 WSL chances + Just 1 > 2024 (Top 5) or 2x Teams + Universal
Also consider many Unvaxed Surfers need to comply with 'US' Wave Pool Training. (Game over!)
Let's not hear about how tuff GOAT's chances are!
Team USA + ISA + WSL + IOC + CDC have corruptly stacked everything they could in Kelly's favour!
Notes...
(Universal Surfer/s) must finish in Top 50 or there about Round 4 in either ISA 2023/24 Comps.
Reminding That all Surfers must Participate or seek exemption for ISA 2023/24 Comps
Kelly is #1 Qualified (Universal Surfer) that would survive Teahupoo
Tripartite won't sacrifice a virgin to spark a diplomatic incident!
Olympic Surfing 2020 Cheapest Seats > 2024 No Tickets or Event + Now a Ban on Olympic Qualifying!
https://tickets.paris2024.org/obj/media/FR-Paris2024/ticket-prices.pdf
News flash !!! Hawaiians are in fact Americans. It’s a quirk of the ASP/WSL that they compete as Hawaiian. (I don’t mind the quirk - just saying). Would get a bit crazy though if Molly flew the NSW flag and Jack the WA flag and everyone else followed
Quirky alright...
Carnie : "Ya just gotta Loop 5 Olympic Rings over 7 continents...piece of piss it is!"
Hawaii & Tahiti qualify under own Flags but compete for gold under their Master's name.
Hawaiians never wave USA flags & Tahitians don't wave French Flags during WSL Olympic Qualifiers
Tahiti & Hawaii qualify under entirely different coloured Olympic Rings to France & USA.
Oceanic Green Ring Oz / Hawaii / Tahiti > Europe Les Bleu Ring France > Americas Black Ring USA.
Unless of course the 5 Olympic Coloured Rings mean Shit...wash yer mouth out tbb! How very dare you!
1956 Hawaiian Surfers competed as Hawaiians & won Olympic Surfing Gold / Medals + Ceremony!
History records more Sovereign Hawaiian Surfing Olympians than (2020 USA + Hawaiian Olympians)
1973 Tahiti form own National Olympic Committee, now members of 13 International Sport Federations
2000 Oz again invited Hawaiian + Tahitian swimmers to proudly qualify for Olympics under Own Flag.
Hawaiians / Tahitians proudly compete alongside Aussies under our Oceania Green Olympic Ring.
https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/team-hawaii-announces-8-swimm...
Hawaii & Tahiti + 16 other non sovereign nations compete in Olympic Qualifiers under own Flags!
Oceanic Green Circle affords this independent Flag Waving Olympic Qualification.
1994 FIFA > 2013 OZ Tahiti Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup > Invited France who failed to Qualify in EZ.
That's correct! France weren't good enough to compete in highly competitive Tahitian FIFA World Cup.
Tahiti jumps the Shark to bite the Master's hand that never once fed them.
2009 Tahiti qualify for Olympics thru Pacific / World Games
Tahiti competes under it's own flag in most world sports & Olympic qualifiers
ISA annexed Hawaii in 2013 Sonny 2014 TWW (jnr) (Hawaii Last competed against USA in ISA Comp)
ISA annexed Tahiti in 2017 (Tahiti last competed against France in ISA Comp)
(Resourced from ISA comp results > often don't feature all results Junior / masters / longboard)
2018 ISA Oceania Surfing Federation includes Tahiti not Hawaii but refuses Olympic Qualifying to each.
Sure seems as if ISA were asked to white wash Pacific Islands to be awarded their Olympic Prize.
But Tahiti / Hawaii surfers compete & rogue state Flags flown at WSL Olympic Qualifiers...How so?
Think the crew can answer this one...
WSL does not host National Teams Olympic Qualifiers where as ISA hosts several over the 4 year cycle.
Team = Surfers representing & legitimizing a Rogue Nation!
ISA Rogue Team flag waving & cheering promotes uprising amongst the natives...it must stop! Got It!
Once ISA disarmed the Head Hunting savages all read from the same page & cheer thy Master's Name.
ISA were rewarded their Olympic Games Surfing Holy Grail...
Wanna see just how weird that Looks...
Green Circle Tahitians surf for Les Bleu's Olympic Ring at the Oceanic Olympic Green Circle Cauldron.
Green Circle Hawaii must surf for Black Olympic Ring in their Oceanic Green Circle Aquatic Zone.
That's how the Psychedelic Olympic Circus Rings Roll...Just as well they say the Rings now mean shit!
What the ? Surfing was only added in 2016 and first appeared in Tokyo 2020/21 so I have idea what you are talking about. Sure people fly all sorts of flags but Hawaii is a state of USA.
1900 Paris Olympic Life Saving Comp Winner's Gold Plaque (Land / Sea Rescue Exhibition Comps)
https://www.topendsports.com/events/demonstration/lifesaving.htm
1956 Australian Olympic Surfing Medal
https://www.soulsurf.com.au/product/1956-surf-life-saving-olympic-medal/
Hawaii won Gold 3 / Silver 3 / Bronze 1 (Hawaiian Team finished equal 4th with USA)
Olympic Surf Carnival featured Surf Teams / Surf / Board / Marathon Surf / Ski + beach events
Yes! Surfers did surf on their feet at times whilst competing as it was also an exhibition of Surfing.
Duke toured with Hawaiians that Competed on Fibreglass surfboards & sold them to Aussies.
https://www.surfresearch.com.au/1956_Olympic%20Carnival_SMH.html
1900 Paris Life Saving was an Exhibition Comp (4x Criteria Swim / Floats / Sea Bed / Rescue Boat)
1912 Stockholm Olympics Swimming was held in The Bay with Wind/Swell Lines to surf to Victory!
1956 Surf Life Saving Exhibition Comp (Various Surfing) Olympic Medals awarded to Hawaiian Surfers.
2020 /2024 Olympic Surfing is reduced to a solitary boardriding Exhibition Comp > ends in 2028.
tbb is not saying that's the final list...rather, it's only the beginning...Huh!
Most Olympic Baton Relays exhibit many Surfing Displays & often by Pro Surfers.
That's Right...Baton held aloft & alight whilst surfing to shore...
A dozen displays by a dozen nations that most or all here, witnessed in part.
Clearly Tokyo was not the First Olympic Surfing Display, merely the last in a long line!
Sure : Carton of 2020 Stickers will plaster over a Century of Olympic Surf History...Wot!
Surf Industry & Olympic Godz have the Power to do that now!
Tokyo Winner let 3 waves pass without Bodysurfing any...whilst lazily wading for new board!
tbb awards the First Anti surfing display Gold Medal [0] [0] [0] For each failed attempt to bodysurf.
(Demonstration of how to break a surfboard & how to slovenly mope & holler for a caddie!) Kidz Today!
By all accounts the 1956 Olympic Surfing Exhibition set the Benchmark according to News Titles!
Happy to share the many Olympic Surf / Lifesaving Exhibition Medal Events!
PS: Hawaii is a US State but IOC also approves Hawaii & Tahiti to qualify in own Oceania Green Ring.
So naturally Hawaiians & Tahitians choose to compete under their own flag in their Official Oceanic Zone.
Meaning they fly their own Flags for 95% of Olympic Events & only Salute their Masters in the Big Top.
Doubt if Team USA would foot the bill for Hawaiians Jetsetting the length of Massive Americas' Group
These are news features on Hawaiian Surfers competing for them alien Stars & Striped Black Circle People.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/17/sports/olympics/olympic-surfing-hawai...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-12/native-hawaiians-fighting-for-cul...
Kelly Slater is working towards another world record: more farewells than John Farnham.
2028 US Olympics
World voted for The Ranch to run ELO's Prime-time US Gold Medal Surfing Extravaganza .
Kelly was granted his finals berth via the fully certifiable IOC Ultimate Universal Wave Pool Rule.
And coz it's his Pool Party!
JT : "Silver medalist seems troubled by the on/off power surges, the machine has a mind of it's own!"
"Wow! Never seen a more perfect wave, that's a glowing Gold Medal performance from The GOAT!"
Huey : "That's how The Ultimate Universal Olympic Ideal dream sequence went of the rails!"
He is not that worried about the cut - he will 100% be gifted wildcards to the second half and is a good chance to do just enough to make top two or be 3rd and get it when 1 or 2 are injured. I’ve not been a fan of his ‘injured wildcard gifts’ and games he has played but given its Tahiti there’s a pretty good argument he’s still top 2 out of the US surfers and would
be great to see him there.
They set the wildcard bar extremely low with Sally Fitz that it would be an absolute crime to not gift the GOAT a few
I’ve been pretty vocal about the Sally wildcard - completely unfair to the surfers doing the hard work on the challenger series. There is no place for a kaleidoscope of Harvey Norman wildcard.
If the surfers above him are injured jjf griff etc ..,his in !!!!!otherwise no chance Kelly .. it’s a big list ..
I’m 48 and reckon I could give Kelly a run in the air nowadays.
WTF… best call of 2023 so far!!!!.. well done old son
I laughed out loud at that comment too.
My old man told me once… son..woman love a confident man
Honestly think he doesn’t care about public opinion and “fairy tale” endings. Will retire when he wants to retire. Don’t mind that
I've said it before and many will disagree but ...Kelly is not well . In fact I reckon he needs help . There you go .
May be something to that PCS.
Wise man once said.. don’t get your confidence mixed up with your abilities.. but great call though had me laughing..
No need to retire if you still qualify and enjoy the event game. He can still win heats, it's possible he could win gold if that's what he's into. Probably likes being an underdog now instead of a favourite. His read on waves is still masterful and he draws the biggest heat crowds at any given event (well, maybe not in Brazil). I know I'd rather watch him compete than videos of him answering inane Twitter questions like "How do wetsuits work? Does your whole body stay dry or what?" FMeDead
Even though he’s clearly past his prime (excluding big tubes) he’s still better than the 10+ dead weights on your that nobody wants to watch surf
Like any simpsons series post season 8, I would say that kelly is actively damaging his competitive legacy at this point.
A wildcard for the Olympics? I think there's some confusion here between a WSL event and the Olympics itself. May as well hand a wildcard to Mick Fanning and Kieran Perkins. Selection should never be based on sentiment in the Olympics, unless you're 'Eric the Eel'.
'Eric the Eel' was gifted a wildcard to encourage developing nations. The bloke had never seen an Olympic sized pool in his life but set a P.B. of 1:52 in the 100m freestyle. Amazingly he won his race after his other two competitors were disqualified after false starts. That was probably his 'Bradbury moment'. Kelly should give Eric a wildcard into his own 'pool'.
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=eric+the+eel&sxsrf=AJOqlzVkT5UUr0fdGO...
The guy is a goal orientated individual. Never under estimate him. He has a clear path on what he wants to now achieve and in his own words has some work to do. This is what has been lacking for many years and is fresh ground, plus it is the only thing he hasn't achieved ................... I would put some money on him to at least qualify for the Olympics.
Retirement is a stupid word for all aspects of our lives........ "Change of direction" should be the term used to replace the R word.
KS will be an major influence for a while yet I think. he's that good.
Kelly can do what Kelly wants to do, always has, but his surfing just isn’t competitive anymore.
Perhaps JJF or Griff or anyone else ahead of him will ‘pull a hammy’ for him. It would be a nice gesture in one way but they might not get a chance again. I would not like to see that.
If he gets there legitimately then good luck to him.
He should retire now so that some 25 year old who can't beat a 50 year old can have a turn
may need a longer board..... at least for a paddle battle back to the line up...
no idea what that GOAT is trying to achieve, apart from self-flagellation.
He could do anything except win another championship, and he already has 11...
Is he frustrated that his boards didnt make a bigger impact on the sport?
Should transition, no need to change his/her name; go on to win another 10 world titles; then we will see just how woke the WSL is? Might give the ratings a boost though...
If Kelly doesn’t qualify for the US Olympic team, I hope he is still a part of it either as commentator or maybe US team coach? But then again, if the waves are on elsewhere……
WSL change Cut Wild Card Rules for Past Top 5 & or Champions.
Meaning Points can be Accumulated...
Now tbb naturally thought this was a Ham-fisted joke...but pod confirms it...maybe!
Kelly Automatically Qualifies himself for Ranch WildCard. (Correct)
Word is Kelly can be gifted enough Wild Cards to pose as a legit Top ladder tour surfer.
Recap...only Top 5 or Past Champs are gifted this option...since about...just waiting for Kelly's last score...
And ....5/4/3/2/1...comes into effect...right about now!
Wot! ...(Cough!) Nevermind...It's Nothin' suss!
But also can now as a past champ...accumulate Points as a legit CT Tour Surfer.
Automatically bypassing the Cut & requalifying for 2024 -2100 Tours.
Here's the Pod Cast & CT Wildcard Champ Rule review...
[32:35] Kelly Wildcard
https://beachgrit.com/2023/04/world-surf-league-changes-rules-under-cove...
Some good stuff here...just let it run...gets a tad funny as well...crew will enjoy this!
Here's a rundown...on Oz leg...
Bloke says he can't get a WSL Surf Forecast for Bells but get Apple everything ridiculous!
Ranch Tickets doubled at end of 2022 > Now plummeted to half of original past Price!
Wildcard slips Kelly Date Rape Drug ...Like Wot!
Jaoa / Molly were cut last year...Now #1