One more for the road!
I full well thought that the World Surf League was going to run some Billabong Pipeline Pro today and was happy that they did not for I was indisposed but did anyone steal down to Ehukai’s sand and peek at the lineup? Was it any worse than, say, historic day two when the women were trotted out to equality?
Well, happy, nonetheless and happy, also, that yesterday was a lay because it found me first in San Clemente, chatting with David Lee Scales, and second in Studio City at a famed old western recording facility speaking my next book onto tape (buy here).
But back to Lee Scales. He is convinced that if Kelly Slater becomes 2022’s Billabong Pipeline Pro in pumping surf, beating John John Florence in the final, as they are on opposite sides of the draw, he will retire.

As his reasoning goes, Slater has been vocal about Sunset, the next wave up, not being his favorite. Then, if things hold, he won’t be able to travel to Australia. With the mid-year cut looming and no throw-aways allowed, will the world’s greatest surfer let himself fade into oblivion or will he take this glorious moment to see himself out?
The tour seems as much a part of Slater’s DNA as chia pudding so I think he’ll slink around for another decade plus but what do you think?
Is this it for the BOAT?
We discuss this and whether or not a man should shake hands before entering a room. I think yes, always. David Lee is all about shedding antiquated custom.
Listen here.
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LEGENDARY post! BUT does KS know he is battling ED or has his blowup doll told him yet?
Now that” Gambling in the Surf World is allowed, got $20.00 on Kelly not retiring in 2022.” Kelly-” If you see this leave a message.” Dennis your bookie..
Is this the TMZ of surfing? Constant drama on here.
Yep. Most likely outcome. He should Brady it but he won’t
I am not sure if the he is still battling hair loss or if that battle was already lost.
I cant be the only one sick and tired of the GOAT/BOAT acronyms… just type the damn words out. Or better yet, somethings dont constantly need to be said. It just feels pushy.
Anti vax POS. Uneducated, but talented at surfing. Selfish kook
Pretty much. Entertaining though
Please please please retire so sick of his bs
He’ll get some results and claim it to be the fault of foreign governments that he didn’t get 12 titles. Walks away from the sport to shout at clouds.
Baby Chumbo!
Kelly will be squeezing every last ounce of juice he can out of the WCT purely so he can keep getting time at Pipe with an empty lineup. At the rate he’s going, he’ll still be hanging around the joint at 60.
There is no indication Kelly is not vaxxed, He talks against forcing it on others, but he never said he did not get the vaccine. He might be allowed to complete in Australia
– Wins Pipe and retires
– Starts legal action against WSL, Aus & Indo Gov re: discrimination
– GOAT takes the WSL “2022 most cunty trophy”
– Throws another one in Mom Mom Florence out of spite
Maybe Ke12y can celebrate a memorable victory over John John Florence in the final by getting vaccinated?
Just saying.
After this showing I reckon the goat will be backing himself to put on a show for the people at chopes and g land.
Kelly should rent a yacht, anchor offshore from each Aussie leg contest site, have his jersey shuttled out to him and never touch Australian soil.
Can he get JJ to sail him down on the Gunboat?
This should legitimately be put out to the goat.
Or just have the WSL change the venues for him. They would love to.
Or just change venue since it might very well be the CCP leg by the time it rolls around.
True dat. Checkbook diplomacy.
They have been pinching surf coaches from Australia for years in their attempt to get on the world stage.
Only thing holding them back imo is the one child policy.
I’ve been around quite a few of the golden child single males here in Victoria.
Soy boys is an understatement.
Exactly what I was gonna suggest.
Wasn’t JJF talking about sailing to all the events for ‘sustainability’ reasons
Gabe had head problems before Pipe.
Can imagine how shitty he feels watching all of this going on.
You know he’d semi final…at least.
Just missing the great conditions would do it to me.
Kelly will have enough points regardless of Aus leg to make the cut. One throw away as well in the first 5 events so he really will only miss 1. He says he hates sunset but watch him ride a 5’5 Banana quad and backdoor into some sunset west bowls
The more relevant Q is how does one retire from BG, or are we all going to be doing this same shit until 2040?
You’re posing an anon Q.
Fuck I hope so.
Young bexy’s balls should have dropped by then.
Hopefully he’ll become more mature but I’m not all that sure about that.
Call me crazy..but I read a headline saying Djokovic is getting vaxxed.
If Kelly wins Sunset, is the crown enough of a carrot to get the jab?
I realize he is dead set against it.
Why can’t he do what most sensible NYC parents are doing…get a fake Vaxx card?
Different here, need it on your phone. Might be too hard.
He would be on their radar for a fakie.
He said on Instagram in one of the threads that might get it, but doesn’t agree that it should be mandatory.
Amazing.
Same way I felt. I wanted natural immunity, but got backed into a corner by the Victorian government and got my double.( soon to be triple)
Money talks
Djokovic potentially last a major.
I respect Kelly for his stance.
In some way, I would forgive him for going against his values for a title more than an athlete who does it for money.