It was almost fitting that it took the current world number one to bring down the curtain on the biggest race in surfing history.
11-time world champion Kelly Slater decided to give Griffin Colapinto a hug as the clock ticked down on their round of 32 series at the Margaret River Pro on Tuesday with one last miraculous escape past the 52-year-old legend.
Slater needed a win in WA to survive the mid-season cut. After surviving a Tuesday morning eliminator at Main Break, he found current leaderboard leader Colapinto too much to handle.
Slater was carried off the beach and up the stairs to loud cheers, high-fiving fellow American Colapinto along the way, before revealing that he had asked for a wildcard for the next event in Fiji because he didn’t want to finish. in a wave that had never been kind to him.
The 52-year-old surfing legend was struggling to contain his emotions after being eliminated from the Margaret River Pro on Tuesday.
Slater presided from the beach in what will surely be his last event as a professional surfer.
“It’s so much emotion for so long, so much dedication,” she said, fighting back tears.
‘It’s not all roses, you know? But it has been the best moment of my life.
‘My family is at home watching, I love you guys.
‘I couldn’t achieve a miracle this week, but I achieved a few over the years.
‘I still had that hope, you know? One could appear with a minute left.
“But losing to No. 1, you know, Griff.” [Griffin Colapinto] He’s the number one guy, I’ve been close friends with Griff for a long time.
‘So I’m avoiding that emotion, because it’s there bubbling away.
‘But it hit me at dusk [Hurley Pro Sunset Beach] this year [where Slater first said he was questioning whether to retire].’
Eleven-time WSL champion Kelly Slater gave it his all in his final competitive event at the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia.
Slater has dominated surfing like no other during his three decades on tour, but said the time was right to move on with a baby due in three months.
“It’s been an incredible life full of memories,” he said.
Australian surfing champion Mick Fanning led a chorus of tributes to Slater, praising him for inspiring a generation of surfers.
“Congratulations on such an incredible career,” Fanning posted.
‘What you did for the sport of surfing is unrivaled. Pushing the limits of what is possible.
‘The dedication to his craft inspired everyone to improve.
‘Thank you for all the memories and battles. It was truly an honor to share heats, surf and experiences over the years.
‘You taught me what it takes to become a champion in and out of the water.
‘I wish you all the best for your future and that of your new growing family. Love and respect.’
Slater and his longtime partner Kalani Miller (pictured) are expecting their first child together.
Slater’s legacy will be to win the World Surf League World Championship a record 11 times, making him widely regarded as the greatest surfer of all time with 56 Championship Tour victories.
He began surfing at age five, demonstrating his early talent by winning his first U.S. championship title at age 10 and earning a third-place finish in the junior division at the world amateur championships in England at age 16.
Slater turned professional in 1990, quickly making his mark by winning his first contest on the Bud Pro Tour and qualifying for the World Surf League Championship Tour the following year.
Slater and Pamela Anderson (pictured together) were a couple in the early 1990s after meeting on the set of Baywatch.
After 31 years of mourning with the ocean, Slater is finally ending his decorated career.
Despite a challenging start, finishing 43rd in his first year, Slater won his first pro circuit event in 1992, becoming the youngest world surfing champion at age 20.
He dominated the sport during the 1990s, winning five consecutive world titles from 1994 to 1998, a period that also saw the popularity of televised surfing events grow.
After a brief hiatus from competitive surfing in late 1998, Slater returned to the circuit in 2002, continuing to achieve major victories and maintain an influential presence in professional surfing.
Slater’s career accolades include three Triple Crown Surfing Championships, eight Pipeline Masters Championships and victories in major surfing competitions around the world, including the Hurley Pro at Trestles, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Billabong Pro Tahiti and others.
His achievements have earned him induction into the Surfers Hall of Fame.