Kelly Slater Unveils His World Surf League Retirement Plan

Kelly, one of surfing’s most vocal on social media. He’s got an ever-changing profile photo and uses the platform to push his agenda, make political statements a la Colin Kaepernick, and the occasional troll based argument. God bless him, he’s taken to Instagram with the readiness and wit of a millennial. However, in the past few years, the question of his retirement from the tour has been vaguely answered. This morning, he released a statement on Insta announcing that the WSL 2017 season will be his last. He’ll also be–at 45 years old–reaching toward his 12th world title. 

“My last wave in Portugal the other day,” states Kelly on IG. “Sick little bank with just @patchy_o (Pat O’Connell) and myself. Hugely inspired by the young guys on tour these past few months and what @john_john_florence has accomplished this year. So next year I’m gonna get my shit (and my body) together for real and see if I can make a last run at a title. Then I’ll go find the best waves on earth til my last day before being freeze dried and used as plant food to make a #Koa and #Monkeypod tree on my property or take the carbon from my ashes and make a diamond from it for my family. (Don’t forget to drop some of me in the tube also!)”

The back half of the 2016 season is breathing new life into the King. And if the WSL has a better year in terms of wave quality, Kelly’s run for another title can be a very real thing. The man has an insatiable appetite for quality surf, but it seems he’s also gotten his competitive spirit back–which makes for a dangerous Mr Slater. And after the 2017 season, he’ll chase the best waves on earth until he dies…it’s not like he’ll be bored; he’s got more side projects than Jack White.