- The 11-time world surfing champion semi-retires
- Ready for the next phase of life with a pregnant partner
Kelly Slater has uncovered some of the health secrets behind her record-breaking professional surfing career as she opens up about her hopes for her soon-to-be baby with partner Kalani Miller.
Many thought the greatest race in the history of the sport had come to an end at the Australian Margaret River Pro earlier this month when Slater fought back tears after being eliminated by points leader Griffin Colapinto.
He hugged his friend and rival, presided from the beach and told his fans ‘It’s not all roses, you know? But it has been the best moment of my life.
After winning the world title a record 11 times and claiming 56 victories on the Championship Tour, no one could blame Slater for walking away from the sport he loves.
After all, he is expecting his first child with pregnant partner Kalani Miller and will be spending time on the Gold Coast for some well-deserved rest.
Slater is ready to take on the next chapter of his life with pregnant partner Kalani Miller (pictured together)
Many thought Slater had retired when he was presided over from the beach following his elimination from the Margaret River Pro (pictured).
Even at 52, Slater, an 11-time surfing champion, could still take it against the best young talent in the world.
Surprisingly, however, Slater plans to continue participating in the professional tour until he is 50.
“It’s actually funny because I never said the word retirement,” he said this week.
‘I am retiring from full-time competition. (But) I will continue to do some competitions, which I enjoy and have the opportunity to do.
‘I’m not chasing titles and stuff nowadays. I have a lot of things I’m working on and things I’m passionate about.’
So how can Slater keep his body and mind fit enough to take on the best in the world at his age?
‘I’ve tried a lot of things over the years to maximize my performance and stay young and youthful. Luckily I’ve been able to have a long career because I haven’t suffered any injuries and I’m healthy,” he said. news corporation.
‘I just take care of myself and it’s probably the number one thing in my life. My girlfriend and I make sure the ingredients are healthy and natural and try to limit processed foods, sweets, and sugars. It’s a big part of our lives.’
Slater will continue to compete in professional events after his son is born, but he will be more selective and will not chase world titles.
Slater said the key to staying young was a healthy lifestyle and staying injury-free.
The Floridian also attributes his astonishing longevity in the sport to barely touching alcohol, and says his motto when it comes to grog is “just take a sip here and there.”
For now, however, impending fatherhood is firmly on Slater’s mind.
He already has a son, Taylor Slater, 28, a noted photographer and painter.
Kelly is ready to become a father again and hopes the new arrival has the best features of him and his partner Kalani Miller.
“We’re very excited, a little bewildered, a little scared, but that’s part of the excitement and anticipation that comes with being a parent,” Slater said.
‘I’m generally pretty calm in stressful situations. Kalani is much more organized and more focused on everything she needs to do. So I hope our son is like that.
“But it’s fun that you also like emotions and excitement, so maybe a little more of the physical life that I like and the balance of life that she likes.”