"(San Clemente) is my girlfriend’s hometown and a second home to me. So I’m looking forward to competing as a wildcard..."
Well, wow… Kelly Slater got a gift today.
Minutes ago, the great World Surf League Championship Tour critic JP Currie declared, after returning from a brief sabbatical, “Somehow in my absence the WSL has transitioned beyond recognition. Where once she was a flaccid auld whore, sooking up the dregs of desperation; now she appears as a supermodel gliding into a Berlin club, whilst we look on, open-mouthed, saliva dripping. This transformation has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike, highlighting the evolution of surf culture and competitive surfing.
Minutes later, the “Global Home of Surfing” announced its historic wildcard for the upcoming Lexus Trestles Pro.
The announcement of Slater’s wildcard entry has created a buzz in the surfing community, as many see it as a testament to his enduring talent and passion for the sport. Fans are eagerly anticipating what this legendary surfer will bring to the competition, especially given the high stakes of the Trestles Pro.
The 53-year-old winningest professional surfer of all-time, Kelly Slater, is not just a competitor but a symbol of excellence and resilience in the sport. His career, spanning over three decades, has inspired countless surfers around the world, making him a living legend.
Kelly Slater: A Living Legend in Surfing
Per the press release:
The impact of Slater’s return extends beyond just his participation; it rejuvenates the competitive spirit of the event and serves as a reminder of the history and legacy he has built in the surfing community.
Surfing’s GOAT, the 11-time World Champion, Kelly Slater (USA), will return to competition as a wildcard for the 2025 Lexus Trestles Pro Presented by Outerknown. As the Championship Tour (CT) field narrows following the Mid-season Cut at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Slater will return to competition for Stop No. 8 of the World Surf League (WSL) CT. The event will hold a competition window from June 9 through June 17, 2025. This marks not only a critical point in the season but also a pivotal moment for Slater as he seeks to prove he still has it against a new generation of surfers.
The 53-year-old Slater previously competed as a wildcard in the first event of the 2025 season, the Lexus Pipe Pro. This marked his 33rd CT event at Pipeline, where he earned a Quarterfinal finish. As a wildcard, Slater will look to shake up the narrowed field of surfers at the high-performance wave at Lower Trestles, which was also recently announced as the Olympic surfing venue for the LA 2028 Games. His performance at such a significant venue adds to the excitement surrounding the competition.
Slater, himself, declared, “I’m excited to surf Lowers after having a few months of downtime with family and watching the events online. Surfing this event obviously makes good sense with Outerknown sponsoring the event and celebrating our 10th anniversary. Trestles has been an ongoing great memory for the past 35 years since I won my first event as a professional there, had a number of great wins there while on Tour, and is my girlfriend’s hometown and a second home to me. So I’m looking forward to competing as a wildcard and surf against a top seed or two straight away. At Outerknown we do things a bit differently and this is a different twist for me being the underdog. I’m honored and excited to compete next month. This sentiment resonates with many athletes who thrive under pressure and embrace the challenge of competition.”
Quick question, how old is too old to have a “girlfriend?”
While age in sports can be a contentious topic, Kelly Slater’s continued success forces us to reconsider the notion of age limitations. Many athletes have found a second wind later in their careers, showcasing that experience can often outweigh the advantages of youth in high-stakes competitions.
More as the story develops. The excitement around the Trestles Pro is palpable, not just for the competitors but for the fans who live for these moments in surfing history. As we await the start of the competition, discussions about Slater’s potential impact and the future of surfing continue to generate buzz. The legacy of Kelly Slater will undoubtedly influence the sport long after he hangs up his board.
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Thank goodness the WSL came through with this on its annual checking off the boxes ‘CT Tour
to-do list. I was starting to get worried they were skipping the annual Kiss-the-Ring day with Kelly. We’re only left to predict what he’ll be promoting, via Kaipo’s clown show, the hardest – the blanket shirts or the turtle sandals…
You have a gift with the metaphoric imagery. Much gratitude…
True… Whenever someone says my partner to me I’m always like wait…is he gay?
Sam Clamenty his second home?
I’ve been heremany years and have never seen him.
“middle aged man wearing Blue Oyster Bar style leathers sliding across an intersection on their back in front of spectators after dropping their overpriced bike at jogging speed”
Hey… a guy’s gotta have a hobby.
53
Quick question – is Ke11y going to use an electric or manual wheelchair to get to the beach?
Give Victor Bernardo the local wildcard, no need to see Kelly in California
R. Kelly was groomed so that Griff can groom
And Pam actually looking quite regal at that New York gala thing
His reputation loses. It would be like Bjorn Borg turning up at aus open next year, except without being known by anyone except tennis s aficionados.
Can we have alessa quizon too, please?
word on the street is , Kelly’s foot has finally healed from being broken at J-Bay…..and now his air game is stronger than ever?
also he’s a new old dad.
The Gary Busey of surfing.
Oh man , I’d be highly surprised if ol’ boy surfs more than two heats there.
I like turtles
Medina is already surfing, fully recovered.
Planning carefully his return.
Meanwhile on tour, Jordy is looking strong, but Italow is a Champ. Good chances he will be again.
Next year, Medina will Dominate as never before.
Slater at Trestles is like an over weight rent-a-cop trying to chase down a flash mob at the mall.
Paul “Slart” Mall Cop
She was particularly good in her short guest appearance on the final series of the MagnumPI remake, but a pity they only gave her one scene.
P.S.
Actually she was very average, but looked good doing it…
Though notice how he didn’t refer to her as his ‘Chinese’ girlfriend.
Maybe something to do with the tariffs, and him not wanting to pay extra charges…
And whatever happened to that Russian ‘girlfriend’ he was stuck with in Bali (for what seemed like half a year, when the Chinese one was back home) during the first covid lockdown ?