At the age of 52, Kelly Slater will become a father again after nearly three decades. “Fatherhood isn’t always a planned thing, but when it happens you just do it. It’s very natural, and in that sense, it’s not really difficult.” However, before his own newborn arrives, it appears he’s enjoying some quality time with another munchkin, though not his own on Father’s Day that’s on 16th June. It turns out, he’s sharing a surfing trip with his friend’s newborn bundle of joy as seen in a recent Instagram Story.

The 11-time world champion and his girlfriend Kalani Miller announced their pregnancy in March. Despite being together for the last 16 years, this will be their first child together. Slater already has a daughter, Taylor Slater-Kelleher, born in 1996 with his previous partner. The way they revealed the news to the world was truly awe-inspiring.

In March, Kelly Slater shared an Instagram reel with  Kalani Miller. The black-and-white video showed the couple strolling along a tranquil beach, accompanied by the instrumental version of Ben Harper’s “The Three of Us.” The reel culminated in a close-up shot of Miller’s stomach, hinting at the new addition to their family. That was a pretty smart move.

As speculation swirls about what lies ahead for Slater, both personally and professionally, the question of whether fatherhood will mark a new chapter in his illustrious life remains unanswered. Miller expressed he believes, “Surfing is my religion, if I have one.” now faces with uncertainty about the balancing act Slater may face, pondering whether he will prioritize family over his competitive drive, which has defined much of his career.

Is retirement on the horizon for Kelly Slater?

With over 30 years competing at the highest levels of surfing, Kelly Slater is hailed as one of the sport’s greatest athletes. Despite receiving a wildcard for the latter part of the 2023 WSL Championship Tour, keeping his aspirations for the Paris 2024 Olympics alive, his chances were dashed as five other American surfers, including current world No.1 Griffin Colapinto, outperformed him in the rankings. This setback in the round of 32 in Western Australia may prove to be Slater’s final act on the tour, leading to his exclusion from the upcoming Olympic Games.

After this loss, Kelly Slater fought back tears and remarked, “Everything must come to an end.” However, he hinted at applying for a one-off wildcard for the WSL event in Fiji later this year. Throughout his career, he has faced many setbacks including injury in 2022, and physical challenges in his advancing years, including a recent off-season operation, have become increasingly tough to overcome. “I’ve been struggling since my surgery, fighting through the pain and hoping for adrenaline,” Slater admitted.

Reflecting on his storied career, he shared, “It’s been an incredible lifetime of memories. It’s so much emotion for so long … It’s not all roses, but it’s been the best times of my life. It feels like the end, but it’s the start of something else, the rest of my life.” This wouldn’t be the first time Slater has retired; he previously stepped away at 26 after winning five consecutive world titles from 1994 to 1998, only to return and secure five more titles.