“Never Found Myself in This Situation”: Surfing Legend Kelly Slater on the Cusp of Facing a Major Career Setback

Kelly Slater’s fate to become the world champion for the 12th time is in serious question. For nearly three decades, the 11-time world champion has dominated the sport. However, the journey ahead appears to be a bit of a struggle for the great surfer. The 26th-ranked surfer in the WSL Championship Tour circuit needs to acquire a top 22 finish in the mid-season event at the 37th Margaret River Pro Australia, starting on April 20. However, considering his performance in 2022, Slater really needs to give his best.

On April 20, the 51-year-old appeared in a quick conversation with 10 News First at Perth Airport. He commented about landing in a career-risking situation like this and how he plans to tackle it. 

Why is Kelly Slater at risk to clear Margaret River Pro?

Kelly Slater has had a row of poor performances in 2022. After winning the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii in February last year, the surfer saw a series of 9th- and 17th-place finishes. Moreover, he experienced a couple of injuries – a major one at Bells Beach that tore his psoas tendon or labrum in his hip. Slater has been dealing with its pain for over a year.

Due to such shortcomings, the 11-time world champion currently ranks at 26 on the World Surf League Championship Tour circuit. Moreover, to stay in the running for WSL, Slater needs a solid quarterfinal finish at the Margaret River Pro. He has to get through the neck-to-neck competition against other brilliant surfers like Samuel Pupo, Nat Young, Jackson Baker, and Liam O’Brien, who are in the 21st position with 8,735 points. Nevertheless, in the 26th place, Slater is currently tied with Hawaii’s Barron Mamiya at 7,310 points.

Analyzing the tough battle ahead in the upcoming competition, the pro surfer stated in the conversation, “Now there’s definitely pressure on me…but yeah I’ve never found myself in this situation.” He also added his strategy while competing which was to surf with a clear mind. 

Read More: After Decades of Dominance, Waterman Kelly Slater Finally Decides When’s Surf’s Up

If Kelly Slater gets through the selection process in Australia, he will retire after competing at the Paris Olympics in 2024. 

Kelly Slater reveals his retirement plans

In February 2023, Slater appeared in an interview with Guardian Australia to promote his series Make or Break. In that conversation, he also talked about his surfing career. Slater explained that he desires to win at the Paris Olympics 2024, after which he will bid goodbye to the sport, “If I make the Olympics, I’ll retire at the Olympics.”

He stated that getting through the selection process is not going to be easy. He would be able to reach the Olympics only if he makes it to the WSL. Moreover, Slater believes that if he manages to jump every hurdle on his way, he will surely win the medal at the Olympics.

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Watching the WSL without its dominant winner, Kelly Slater would be a shock for his fans. Let’s wait to see how things turn out for the surfer.