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Slater (right) shows John John how his legs will move when he's walking out the door. Photo: Steve Sherman @tsherms.
Slater (right) shows John John how his legs will move when he's walking out the door. Photo: Steve Sherman @tsherms.

Question: Will the world’s greatest surfer Kelly Slater retire in jaw-dropping fashion if he beats John John Florence to become Billabong’s Pipeline Pro 2022?

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.

Slater (left) waving goodbye to florence.
Slater (Left) Waving Goodbye To Florence.

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?

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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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36 Comments
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Picard Madeoff

LEGENDARY post! BUT does KS know he is battling ED or has his blowup doll told him yet?

Dennis Mullin

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..

CHINATALIBAN-DUMP

Is this the TMZ of surfing? Constant drama on here.

Mista Spakle

Yep. Most likely outcome. He should Brady it but he won’t

Sean Connery

I am not sure if the he is still battling hair loss or if that battle was already lost.

Anthony Arturo Leone

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.

Dmack

Anti vax POS. Uneducated, but talented at surfing. Selfish kook

Mista Spakle

Pretty much. Entertaining though

Noncompetitor

Please please please retire so sick of his bs

Dogsnuts

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.

Tomas' silky smooth arms

Baby Chumbo!

Lolo

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.

benkei

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

Andy C

– 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

JSC

Maybe Ke12y can celebrate a memorable victory over John John Florence in the final by getting vaccinated?

Just saying.

Stay at home lad

After this showing I reckon the goat will be backing himself to put on a show for the people at chopes and g land.

Otto

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.

J H

Can he get JJ to sail him down on the Gunboat?

Waterproof Polo

This should legitimately be put out to the goat.

Gino

Or just have the WSL change the venues for him. They would love to.

Chibagato

Or just change venue since it might very well be the CCP leg by the time it rolls around.

Gino

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.

Urchin Sepsis

Exactly what I was gonna suggest.

Noncompetitor

Wasn’t JJF talking about sailing to all the events for ‘sustainability’ reasons

Gino

Gabe had head problems before Pipe.
Can imagine how shitty he feels watching all of this going on.

J H

You know he’d semi final…at least.

Gino

Just missing the great conditions would do it to me.

Erik Bogan

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

Derek Hynd's Missing Fins

The more relevant Q is how does one retire from BG, or are we all going to be doing this same shit until 2040?

Otto

You’re posing an anon Q.

astro

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.

Gino

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.

J H

Why can’t he do what most sensible NYC parents are doing…get a fake Vaxx card?

Gino

Different here, need it on your phone. Might be too hard.
He would be on their radar for a fakie.

Jimmy the Saint

He said on Instagram in one of the threads that might get it, but doesn’t agree that it should be mandatory.

Gino

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.


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