Huge if true. Oh wait...

As much as I would love to see Slater in the Olympics, and I certainly think hes earned the right to compete there, he needs to get off tour. Unfortunately though the only way to qualify for Olympics is to stay on bloody tour.... argh

It's all about marketing innit? Fair play to give KS the 2023 slot but should a WC be given an automatic spot for the following season? That's hard on the CS blokes who finish on the bubble. The possibility of Kelly bombing out this year validates a no-go for '24.

Kellys attempt at a carving 360 in the heat to save his career suggests he's not really interested.

Not surprising really, but really feel for Ramzi and Jadson, neither of which got to surf a single event this year due to injury.

Johanne Defay is fair, but Brisa getting the wildcard over Sophie is total BS.

WSL doing a great job of antagonising their fan base.

I would bet my left nut that Kelly knew this before Margies- at least before that Final Presser where he was incredibly cheery and not a single word about retirement or going on the CS.

Probably the safest bet in pro sports that they would give Kelly a Wildcard for the next year.

Ah well, there goes any pretence of credibility.

Next they'll adjust the rulebook and add a 6th spot to Trestles finals day for a wildcard.

Ever since I shifted my perception of the WSL from something serious and credible to a slapstick comedy, I really have been enjoying it more. In fact, life, in general, has been better.

For any jaded fans turning their back on it, just think of the Seinfeld theme song when you watch or consume any of its media — it works!

lmao...what a fucking amatuer organisation.

OK - Im officially a conspiracy theorist

The future of surfing.....is a couple of long termers that failed to make it...yet make it.

Defey getting a wildcard is even more hilarious than Slater getting it

KS has gone from the goat to a joke

Surprise!!

tbb bets whole swellnet crew mandated Kelly's 2100 Wildcard last Century before WSL had a crack!

CT divas now toss out any soggy sangas from their Cut Lunch to score an invite to Fab 5 High Tea Party.

Weetbix Grom Od's on Unsportsmanlike WSL Full Frontal preservative supplement [CT 1,330]
Coach : "I Tried to tell him that the potent hodad supplement WSL [CT 1,330] won't advance his career!"
Media : "So, yer not much of a Coach then are you!"
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/tour/mct?year=2023

No surprise after seeing them gift Sally fitz wildcard last year. Kelly is still the biggest advertising drawcard they have by far , lose him and then its almost a full cast of rotating unknowns (except Stef obviously and maybe JJF? ) as far as mainstream non surfer surfing contest viewers go (as well as all the 50year olds). Might have to drag Mick Fanning back into the mix too wsl?

If a surfer doesn't make the cut then its tough luck and they (well most) had their chance - Including KS.(this is putting aside if the cut is fair in the first place or not).
But the wildcard is at the WSLs discretion and of course they will give it to the biggest audience drawcard.
I know I will be tuning in to watch KS at places like Jbay and Chopes over 99% of other surfers who didn't make it. Seems cruel but it makes sense from their business model and they aren't doing it for sh!ts and giggles. Its still a business and we keep tuning in.

Hard to argue against the GOAT getting a wildcard, but would have been a bit more credible if they gave him wildcards to his favourite events rather than another whole year

Yeah Ke11y, you get to use your extensive competitive nouse and stomp some more rookies into the elimination round then resort to incomprehensible surfing while getting trounced by any of the top 5.
Booyah #zombiegoat

wildcards use to be for injured surfers...now they are for precious, pampered rich surfers who are part of the inner circle... very unprofessional

Had hoped Slater beat O’Brien at Margaret River, so he qualified on his own for 2024; however, in the WSL/Logan’s prioritization of “storylines”, there is no way WSL would drop the ball on pro surfing’s biggest storyline of Slater’s farewell tour year.
And, his chance of making the Olympics depends on beating Colapinto and Florence in points, so he will probably have to win two of the remaining five events, and at least quarterfinals in the other three, which is looking unlikely considering his surfing in this year’s first five contests.

This is perfectly logical in a world of TBTF banks, bailouts for all and sundry, jobkeeper, and an absolute divorce of any form of consequence. I understand it completely. Party on.

I'll continue to watch Kelly. Just to see how a fifty plus guy can surf. Can't see him making many heats.

Will he show up at El Salvador and Brazil?

Is mathematically possible for Slater to win the title this year?

Can we have less Kel and more Al?

"Coke masterminded another PR masterstroke when in 1991 they launched the Classic Wave Competition, the winner of which received a wildcard entry into the main event of the Coca-Cola Surf Classic at North Narrabeen. The winner was Allan Willis, a 32-year old brickie from Bundaberg who’d surfed twice in the last six months and was recovering from haemorrhoids.

"Unsurprisngly, Willis lost his first round heat to Ross Clarke-Jones then retired to the VIP area for schooners. According to Tim Baker, Willis had “arrived with an esky full of fresh Bundaberg prawns as a gesture of gratitude to dispense to his hosts.”

"When his hosts then gave him a new surfboard and cheque for $1,750, Willis couldn’t hide his glee. “I’m just stoked off my tits,” said Willis."

https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2018/04/16/where-the-wil...

Will Bobby M comment ?

Im surprised that everyones surprised......Kelly said he 'knows a guy' ......

taking a wildcard spot from ramzi to full-fill some kind of selfish fucked up dream is disgusting, he will come last every remaining heat this year.

He doesn't need this, he's a sook. If you don't do your job you get fired.

Unless you're the WSL, then you do as you please.

“The WSL Rule Book allows for only former World Champions and previous WSL Final 5 competitors to be eligible to earn points in the second half of the season as the Season Wildcards."

How long has this rule existed? Since it looked like Kelly might retire?

Thats why big Kel has been so smug lately

The WSL is like a junkie and Slater is their Methadone. They don't reach the highs they once did but just need a little taste to get through the day. They're going to have to live without him one day so just go cold turkey. It'll work out in the end, might just be tough for a while. Slater has to surf out of his skin just to win a heat against anybody these days, he's chipping away at his amazing legacy.

I’m not so sure why this draws the ire of so many. It is what it is and also no surprise. I don’t understand why Kelly would want to keep going but I imagine things can’t continue for too long. He’ll make a few people happy in whatever places he visits in that time I’m sure.

Anyone with a Tab account ( or similar ) be able to tell me what the current odds are for KS11 to become KS12 ?

BET RESPONSIBLY - YOU WIN SOME.....YOU LOSE MORE

Sorry ...Typo

You win some....you Lemoore

I guess that's why they changed the name from Association of Surfing Professionals.... Must be hard for ELO with both Kelly and Ziff shoved up his arse but he wears it well.

The sports world is littered with those who hung on for one season, one fight or one tournament too long. Retiring after the Pipe win would have meant ending an unrivalled career as number one in the world which very few have had the opportunity to do. Whether or not he deserves the wild card (obviously he does), unless the next 18 months produces heaving barrels at the majority of locations, I think it's a slow slide down the rankings. His legacy doesn't deserve it but his ego probably won't prevent it.

Could see this coming a mile away..

Lol woweee

Just for the for the sake of the argument, is there another pro sport where an ageing champion who failed to qualify, could be kept in the top echelon by an arbitrary wildcard?

I'm struggling to think of one, but surely there must be a precedent?

Only 7 guys have won a CT more recently than Kelly, 5 of whom occupy the top five spots on the current leader board and the other two book marking Kelly in the rankings.
Plenty of the top 22 have never won a CT (and are unlikely to ever win one).
With so much dead wood in the Top 22 surely it's understandable the Ziff would want to bolster the competition with a little Kelly magic? He is, after all, in the business of generating entertainment content to sell advertising space

Oh well. Carry on Ke12y.
One more title up your sleeve?

Who gets the wildcard when Kelly gets injured?

If Slater was a decent bloke he’d politely decline and pass it on to a young up and comer or an injured surfer.

Fuck the man is just desperate for it, give it up Slats. You’ve had your time.

Why not just give him a wild card for Pipe or Tahiti instead of the whole season that includes places he’s probably got no interest in going to.

I guess he still is a big draw card for the WSL so just as much about them than it is him.

After 2024 he should get a wild card to three events of his choice for life though.

Over the last few days Toby Martin has been making some astute commentary on the situation, made all the more meaningful cos he was someone heavily invested in the sanctity of competitive surfing.

Amongst other things he's critical of Slater having prior knowledge of the wildcard so, for better or worse, he surfed Margaret River knowing there was a safety net, and that's a disadvantage to all his opponents.

Jeez, so many begrudgers. We all knew it was going to happen. I am glad Kelly is getting a very long lap of honour next year to say goodbye. I think his motivation to keep going for one more year is purely Olympics...while also pushing the boundaries out of ageism in sport as far as he can, competing with the world's best and giving them a good run for all their ratings points, egos and money. I wonder what will the whingers say if he wins again in Tahiti later this year, or Pipe again next year? Both outcomes are more probable than possible. And if there is an injury to John John or Griffin, well, then his Olympic dream at Tahiti is reality. Win or lose more events, qualify for Olympics, or not, I am happy our King gets to conclude his incredible long reign on his own terms. So, no worries, it will be all over next year, unless he requalifies, ha! Either way, there will never be another like him. I will enjoy every one of his performances this year and next. And I reckon many of those complaining will too. Cheers.

As well as needing an injury to John John or Griff, Seth has made the cut as well.

Im really happy for the GOAT, seems a little maybe minorly corrupt and biased due to his power and status and getting chosen, but good on him...No one will ever be a 53 year old or 54 year old again on tour surfing pipe chopes and good waves as good as him. and no one will ever be his age again in the olympics....He also seems fairly injury free most of the time compared to jjf.

But Marzo deserves a wild card at chopes, mikey wright too!

Jakes point deeper usually unridden section slab is heavier and deadlier and full of oyster shells and barnacles than chopes and less makeable(which chopes doesnt get heavy till 6 foot plus) and mike took it on like a champ last time he was there.Inspiring stuff but some don't like his down carves and different style of approaching a wave i guess..but everyone loves watching marzo.

This guy is legendary, still, he is the GOAT. I am so stoked to watch that guy surf and glad to hear that news, he maintains his dynamic and pulls off trick maneuvers that keeps us all entertained. His freakish micro split second timing and amazing reflexes are phenomenal, some moves unmatched for what I have seen.
In indigenous societies he would be considered an Elder, a very noble position that garners the highest respect within the clan. Elders in our teared society should be considered with the highest regard also as they hold the experience and share their knowledge and story, providing guidance leading by example. (Okay he turns up at the last minute for events, ha!) But when he’s there, the new ones entering the sport can surely benefit from his virtues, his inspiring examples of humbleness, graciousness in defeat and in winning too.
The emphasis should be on community where the support base is intact, as an extreme example: 3 year olds cannot learn from other 3 year olds, that’s why the school system of same age kids isn’t a good system, People need variety for a quality and richness of life for a balanced advancement of the developing young guns. The differing ages participating in the WSL is a good thing for mentoring and should be respected and appreciated so attitudes are kept in check and things don’t go off the rails. No doubt Kelly gets inspiration from the young men and women surfers too, which in turn keeps the dynamic alive.

tbb agrees with the crew, all saw straight thru Elo's Old Maid Pair.
swellnet crew trumped both wildcard claims...think you'll find that pot is ours Kelly!

9th April GOAT's #1 Wildcard
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2023/02/24/slater-retire...
23rd April GOAT's Red Ring Reefer Madness! Oh...The carnage! Look away gromz!
https://www.swellnet.com/news/form-guide/2023/04/22/margaret-river-pro-d...

24th April Le Defay Blue Ring Wildcard
https://www.swellnet.com/news/form-guide/2023/04/23/margaret-river-pro-d...

Italo got a low ball score on that insane left hand air at margs cos he wouldn’t rim the hole.
Kelly knows how to rim the hole.
See what he gets.
You gotta rim the hole.
Bex anyone?

i rimmed a hole once in a brothel of a very attractive and very fun Thai girl and heard laughter...asked are there people next door and she was straight up telling me the truth people watch through that big mirror..i was spewing they didnt pay guys like me for that sort of thing.

there were 8- 10 people in there.

World Slater League.

Kelly is becoming like Ali (without the Parkinson’s) lining up to get beat by his younger rivals, event after event. If he’s so addicted to the limelight then celebrity golf tournaments & reality tv should be Kelly’s arena. I admire the guy & what he has done for the sport, I was on the beach for his famous win in the ‘95 Pipe Masters, he was that far ahead of the pack at that time but I just feel like he’s damaging his legacy by not accepting that he’s just a little bit off the pace.
I’d be avoiding the crowds rather than gravitating towards them but that’s just me.

Too. much focus only on Kelly, imo. Defay is equally as underserving as was Sally last year.

Thankfully, for me, Kelly Slater getting a wildcad/one more lap of the world tour doesn't directly affect me. Thank fuck it doesn't cos it seems to stir up alot of emotion for those that it does in the above posts.
I'm just looking forward to the times i flick on a surf comp (which if Woz continues on its trajectory are getting fewer and fewer) and seeing one of the most groundbreaking surfers in history still competing.
He still rips, he still charges. And he still draws a crowd.
Full respect given to the most influential surfer of all time.
You don't know what you've got until its gone so enjoy seeing our GOAT in our lifetime.
Theyll be talking about him in 10,000 years and we were here to witness it ffs!
Geez one more year, who cares. So a couple of journeymen miss out at the expense of a once in a multi generation phenomenon taking a final lap.... Lifes not fair...or is it?
Good to see service rewarded!
I challenge anyone on this thread to say Slater hasn't benefited their own personal surfing technique and approach to wave riding in their lifetime and that we don't all owe him a debt of gratitude for how we all ride waves today and the equipment we ride them on.
Thanks Kelly Slater. Legend.

Haven't seen many comments considering if KS wasnt begged to stay on tour. There is not much point being the GOAT of a sport that is a commercial disaster and falls into a financial ruin and dies. Maybe just maybe the GOAT realises this and has agreed to continue on to assist save the sport and his legacy. Otherwise he is another great surfer off making videos and detracting from the tour he has been involved with his whole life.
So many great surfers off tour, I am glad at least at this stage KS is still going to be in the mix.

For example has anyone seen the Greastest Surf film ever with MF and Mason etc. Another couple of world best surfers off tour. The reality as many have suggested is that the idea of Surfing as a commercially viable competitive sport (attracting all the worlds best surfers) just doesn't work in this current format.

.

Not wanting to start a pile on but Slater is also registered to surf in the upcoming Gold Coast Challenger Series event.

Keep in mind there's only six CS events and their explicit purpose is to decide which surfers get promoted onto next year's CT. If he's already guaranteed a place, why is he there?

Getting a start at CS events is highly sought after, surfers have to qualify through the regional QS events. For instance, Australia can only send the top seven men and top four women from the QS. Last year CS fields were reduced from 96 to 80 to reduce comp time which further squeezed the ascension for kids on the rise.

Is it really necessary that he takes a place when his position is already secured? 

Further, last year they had a heritage heat so if he's driven by surfing Snapper uncrowded then just put his name down for that.

How Farked is that..... !!!

me me and me , its all about meeeeee

When you cut through all of the opinions there is a real lack of integrity here if this was implicitly known early on by anybody within the circle
There are betting markets on the outcomes of heats yes? Starts to get murky when there is information that could influence the outcomes of heats, as might be the case when someone is competing (or not) for a win to make the cut.

Thanks Stu!
#1swellnet also earlier called / shared GOAT's Goldie Wild Card.
swellnet clocked all of them...
9th April Goat's Tour Wild Card (Above)
23rd April Goat's Goldie Wild Card
https://www.swellnet.com/news/form-guide/2023/04/22/margaret-river-pro-d...
24th April Johanne's Wild Card (Above)

Can skip all of that & tbb will link the direct source for GOAT's Goldie Wild Card.
22nd April ~ Sea of Seven :
Jack English : "Kelly will continue with a Wild Card entry at Snapper Rocks at Rainbow Bay.

Note: WSL Ditched the CT > CS mandate for 2023.
No talk of Goldie CS apart from local Southern Goldie surf sightings pre Bells / Margs comps!
So how does a Surf Photographer play the Goldie Wild Card before Kelly has it in his hand! (Wild Huh!)
https://seaofseven.com/blogs/news/surfings-great-kelly-slater-falls-off-...

Can read that tbb made light of the comment but also felt the need to share with crew as it had merit!
Kinda deep down we Goldie locals expected this one also, as Kelly is based at Palm Beach Reef Pad!
As explained...his Sydney Crash Pad is being Sold...(Palmy > The Ranch is the hot tip!)
tbb also shared his Tour itinerary with previous shitty Oz CS results...
Signs CS stickers then obligingly tanks after round 1 or 2...so long...thanx for all the Fish!

Yeah / Nah fuck tbb...he's always full of shit! GOAT to win the CS.
FFS...ya just put next weeks rent on Kelly didn't ya...OMG!
2022 CS Kelly tanked in Round 2...all know he can boss this event!
Unless!
Starkie likely tipped off Kelly that this is the Final CS Event...Win Goldie win the CS Tour!
GOAT : "Outta my way you Kooks...got one hand & my name on that CS Trophy!"
Odd thing is...Kelly is a finals surfer at Snapper & could win...few doubt that!
Still reckon he's just returning the favour for his Wild Card...

[Factcheck]
Italians were banned from Oz Entry / events when Leo won Sydney 2020 only CS Title / CS Tour
Shit Happens & Kelly is full of it! Put yer money on this being the Final CS...that's a safe bet!

Kelly should get a wild card. He is the most important and influencial surfer of all time. He is done. After this round we will never see him on the World Tour again. Professional surfing without him is going to leave a giant hole. He will be spoken about in revered tones for decades to come. What is going on in 2023 has got nothing to do with the full scope of his career. It is just a blip, which noone is going to remember. I for one am gutted that this athlete who has given so much to surfing will no longer be competing. Long live the King!

There's been plenty of criticism of KS here including about him entering the GC Pro. Until only recently the rule has been that CT surfers needed to do at least one Cs event a year. In fact CT surfers were actively encouraged to do CS events to add to the prestige of the event. The GC Pro without any CT surfers would be considerably less of a draw card so in my opinion any criticism of KS for entering the event needs to be applied equally to other CT guys and girls as well. Given how many of them seem to be at Snapper right now there could be quite a few.
In my opinion the cut and the ramifications of it make no sense. It's brought in after only 5 events and most of those were in questionable surf quality. If you don't start well then you strike some tough heats pretty early on and the difference between 18th and 25th is generally only a single heat win. So stupid to have so many surfers on equal points going into the 5th event. Only my opinion but many surfers give years to make the CT only to get cut after 5 comps. Seems really rough to me and sounds like there are changes coming anyway.
I'm not a total KS lover but the sport will be poorer for when he's gone. From what I saw in WA he looked highly competitive and beat the world no1 as well. He certainly wasn't out surfed massively but LOB and could have taken that heat but for a fall at the end section. Seems like lots of people want to put the boot into him but I think he deserves a decent go. And as others have mentioned his turns can be really innovative and just don't get any judging recognition even though degree of difficulty and skill are right up there. The current judging obsession around the power carve in the pocket is a case in point. Italo's left and Kelly's beyond vert reo don't fit so are marked down. Reminds me a bit of AI back in the day with the rad floaters and big foam climbs. Personally I'd like to see variety given more than lip service as it's part of the criteria. So it's just my opinion but I've got no problem with KS getting a WC and more so no problem with him competing on the GC. And most of the crew have to book their schedules reasonably early then KS was probably anticipating being at Snapper. He does have a house their doesn't he?

It would have to be said that there is not and will never be a bigger comp head than Kelly - in surfing or any sport similar. It’s almost gone to a level of psychotic obsession. What normal person that had accomplished what he has accomplished would give a flying fuck about still competing? He competed against most of the commentators, who are younger than him and retired 20 years ago.

These days I would rather see Jackson Baker surf a WSL heat than Slater

We can measure GOAT power from 10-30% Cut / Finals viewer boost.
What if WSL could double the GOAT grunt.

GOAT Slater & his Ultimate Pool Boy (vs) Billy GOAT Slater & his wannabe Kellie Slater kid GOAT.
Man is that some high power White Trash VIP Wave Pool Party!

The ultimate in Daggy Dad shaming as yer Grom idolizes the wrong Hodad GOAT Slater (Bummer!)
Billy : "No son...keep sayin'...he's not yer Dad & yer not a Grom...so lose yer Yank Tank Top!"

Mick : "My Urbnsurf Footy Team ain't big enough for two GOAT Slaters!"
Billy the Kid's Grom now proudly wears Urbnsurf #1 Slater!
https://www.mazda.com.au/mazda-news/billy-and-the-kid/

8th May 2023 CT Immortal Kelly flicks outta CS Goldie Slums
Aloha Hawaii...Wai Kai...go with the flow!

11th May 2023 Wave Pool Immortal transforms as EU Flow Tour Immortal Pin Up.

Wai Kai ~ City Wave Test Pilot for Shane Beschen Surf Academy.
Kelly can build up his leg muscles faster on Freshwater Flow to Surf his Ranch.
Kelly's Wave Pool Nite Life Safari kicks on!
https://atthelineup.com/wai-kai-surf-wave-oahu/

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