"I'm looking forward to freedom so much!" says 37 year old…
A couple of months ago, I was walking down the street when a pal of Taj Burrow’s said, “Did you hear? Taj is quitting after this year! Wait, was I supposed to tell you that?”
Anyway, half an hour ago, Taj, who became a father in October last year, officially announced his retirement from the tour, with Fiji his last event.
“I’m looking forward to freedom so much,” Taj, who did 19 orbits of the tour for 11 wins, said, adding that en route to the contest this morning, he had his favourite playlist on, was one java in the hole, and was “so happy to make the announcement.”
Taj figured his last run on the tour would be the most carefree of his career, but said it was anything but. “I wasn’t feeling myself in heats. I didn’t have my heart in it. Losing was making me sad and stressed.”
And life after Fiji in June?
“It’s going to be bizarre,” he said. “It’s going to be a bizarre transition not packing my bags when my favourite events are on.”
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Nice one Taj. Yet in his interviews he seemed somewhat perplexed.. Best he retires now in the advent he gets
too “horny” with all the pressure of a world title has a relapse & loose alf his goods in a pre nup…
You,ll be ok. You have done pretty good out of the sport. Chin up.
How good was that interview when he said that Webber shaped him a Shane Herring Banana inspired board a few years back – and that he hasn’t ever ridden it as he is sure it sucks! Wonder did Slater see the funny side of that comment?
Where is this interview?
It was on the dawn patrol, Ronnie and Ross couldn’t keep a straight face, it was the morning he announced his retirement, I’m not sure if you can watch the dawn patrols from a few days back
Its on YouTube “taj burrows on his big decision” he talks about the boards in the last five minutes of the interview
Hats off to the Taj… always tagged with being the guy that should have, but never won a title. Who really cares? I’d rather have had Taj’s lifestyle and career sensibilities than any of his peer title holders.
thought the dude already retired. C YA AND I WOULDNT WANNA B-YUUUUH
Least he had the perspicacity to only stay a year too long.
26 points for that word!
Not even half a year though
Over under on 13 point total heats that Slater surfs before he does the same?
You’re free Taj! Fly like a eagle! Fuck the WSL!
Commentors – come clean: how many of you surf dads named your kid “Taj?” I know you’re out there: half the groms at my local are named “Taj” (the other half are “Curren”).
Those dudes are totally into jazz and just happened to botch the spelling of their favorite scone ingredient.
What a world we live in. Paging young Taj Mahal Smith.