Team News

Rumor mill grinds with speculation on Slater retirement

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 June, 2007 : - - Eight-time World Champion Kelly Slater may have surfed his last professional surfing event, with speculation mounting that he may retire before the end of the year. After bowing out in his Round 4 heat against Australian Dean Morrison, a disappointed Slater was on the first plane out of Arica, Chile and it is not known if he will surf at J-Bay, the fifth event on the WCT calendar.

Whilst Slater hasn’t announced his retirement, insiders are wondering if he will last the year on tour. He has been known to not turn up to events, or turns up at the last minute.  Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, President of the ASP hasn’t been made aware of Slater’s retirement.  “At this point it is pure speculation. Kelly has made no notification to ASP regarding retirement,” Bartholomew said.

“He is still a confirmed starter at J-Bay. I think that a lot can be read into his disappointment. He is still surfing great, but the reality is that the World Title is getting away from him this year and that is probably all he is interested in.” Rip Curl, who are holding the event in Chile, are also not aware of Slater calling it quits yet.

“It’s just speculation at the moment. ASP, nor Quiksilver, nor Kelly have made any announcements,” Dane Sharp, Media Manager of Rip Curl said. “Kelly said that he was doubtful of coming to Chile – right up until two days before, but once he arrived he said he was keen to surf J-Bay next month. “After his loss today, one of the team managers said the loss here could mean no J-Bay, but nothing else has been announced.”

Kelly Slater : photo Rowland/ASP Covered Images

Quiksilver, Slater’s major sponsor declined to comment. The Floridian is currently sitting in sixth position and with a second equal 9th place finish this year, it is becoming unlikely that he will be in contention for a ninth world title.  With the Australians performing well on this year’s tour, it is becoming frustrating for overseas surfers, including Slater.

Slater fell victim to Coolangatta’s Dean Morrison in an anticipated Round 4 match-up of the Rip Curl Search Pro Chile. Needing a wave-score of 9.37 to progress through to the Quarter-finals, time got away from him, which gave Morrison a much-needed victory. “I’ve surfed in two heats that they claim have been the heat of the year, so it’s starting to frustrate me,” Slater said.

“Dean obviously is a wave magnet. You’re usually behind the eight ball with him. You have to really out-surf him, but in waves like this, it’s just who gets that deep barrel and he got the best wave in that heat.” With the loss for Slater, he is aware that a ninth title is becoming out of reach. “I think at this point, it’s not feeling like a World Title year for me so far. I would expect that if I could get something going, it will be in the next two events (J-Bay and Trestles).

“I’m just going to focus on performance from here on out and not really worry about it. Even though I lost to Dean, I feel like I put on a good performance. That’s what we get paid for. That’s why we do this.” When Slater does finally make an announcement regarding his retirement, it will not only be a sad day in surfing, but a sad day in sport.

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Cassandra Murnieks

Team - Surfersvillage