Kelly Slater & Tyler Wright Pull Out Of El Salvador

Amiss. 

11x time World Champ, Kelly Slater and 2x time World Champ, Tyler Wright will not be surfing in El Salvador. 

With John Florence also out of the mix, that will be 15 world titles missing at Punta Roca, the roping (occasionally tubing) right-hander. 

Kelly cited a mystery injury, while Tyler cited post-Covid complications. 

Kelly will be replaced by Barbadian tube pig, Josh Burke. Tyler will be replaced by Sally Fitzgibbons. “After complications from COVID, I am going to sit out of the El Salvador event to rest and recover at home,” said Tyler who was forced to withdraw from the 2018-2019 season after a horrific bout of post-viral syndrome. “Thankful for all those that have helped and supported.”

Kelly said less. 

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Currently more questions than answers on his condition, although he has previously mentioned niggling back pain this season. 

Currently the list of surfers who’ve pulled OUT of this event include: 

• John Florence (torn MCL)
• Kelly Slater (mystery)
• Seth Moniz (unspecified knee injury)
• Tyler Wright (had covid in G-Land, pulled out of this event for “personal reasons”)

Surfers who are IN for this event include:

• Carlos Muñoz (replacing JJF)
• Yago Dora (replacing Seth Moniz)
• Gabriel Medina (WSL wildcard)
• Bryan Perez (trials winner)
• Sally Fitzgibbons (replacing Tyler Wright)
• Caroline Marks (WSL wildcard)
• Tia Blanco (Ultimate Surfer wildcard)
• Josh Burke (Kelly replacement)

The start of the waiting period begins slow but Surfline is calling for a 8-10 feet at Punta Roca Wednesday through Friday next week. Kelly’s squeeze, Kalani Miller, recently shared a photo carousel on Instagram of her and the GOAT enjoying Uluwatu, Mr. Slater spinning gorgeously. 

Perhaps he tweaked something? Regardless, El Salvador will be a throwaway for Slater.

Remember, nine out of ten contests this season will count. 

That’s three very notable withdrawals before the waiting period begins tomorrow for the Surf City El Salvador Pro, the second of three events for the WSL in June.

Not faring so hot for El Salvadorian pres, Nayib Bukele’s bold bet on turning the Central American archipelago into a crypto-based surf haven after pouring two-point-five million dollars in United States legal tender, or perhaps Bitcoin, into the WSL’s bank account.

This is part of a larger plan by the Central American nation, who have invested $70 million in surf-related endeavors over the past three years, with another $100 million in funding on the way.

You can read all about that here.