"The brave and unselfish step of deciding not to stay at the party too long..."
It was roughly six years ago, now, when Kelly Slater shocked the world by announcing his second retirement from professional surfing. Australian great Joel Parkinson had just declared he would be stepping away from competition, after the 2018 season, when Slater gamely raised his hand and pulled straying eyeballs back his way with a quick “me too.”
The eleven-time world champion, of course, did not retire and here we are, days away from the 2024 World Surf League running and there we have Kelly Slater clutching his special season-long wildcard ready to give it all another go. The fifty-four-year-old’s longevity is, most definitely, eye widening, impressive, though is it seemly?
Five, though really six, time champion and Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore brought tears to eyes, yesterday, when she announced her own retirement. The heartfelt “dear surfing” social media video was moving. The New York Times feature note perfect.
This time, Slater kept his hand down though straying eyeballs still rolled his way and especially after reading this passage lauding Moore:
Carissa possesses both the poise and confidence required to venture away from the tour at the top of her game, complete with a full tank of gas. By taking the brave and unselfish step of deciding not to stay at the party too long, Carissa refreshingly demonstrates just how much honor and respect she exhibits for her sport.
Sizzle.
But let’s real talk amongst ourselves. Has Slater selfishly “staying at the party too long” become a piece of performance art? Something odd and beautiful and altogether mesmerizing?
Or is it straight up macabre?
David Lee Scales and I, anyhow, discussed what will happen to the second greatest to ever do it as the Lexus Pro Pipe gets underway.
Your thoughts?
Here’s mine.