At 52 years old, Kelly Slater continues to defy expectations, proving he’s still a dominant force in surfing. The eight-time Pipe Master, just days away from his 53rd birthday, showed that age is no obstacle when it comes to the sport he loves.
Slater, who last won at Pipeline in 2022 and had previously announced his “retirement” following the 2024 season, reminded the surfing world of his unmatched skill during the Lexus Pipe Pro, particularly during his Round of 32 performance against Indonesia’s Rio Waida.
But it was in the Round of 16 that Slater truly shined. Facing world title contender Ethan Ewing, Slater dropped a 9.33, demonstrating his strategic approach to the wave. “I wanted to be deep but not too greedy,” Slater explained after the heat. His 7.83 backup score brought his total to a commanding 17.16, securing his place in the quarterfinals.
Competing on a wildcard after officially retiring following last year’s Fiji Pro, Slater’s competitive spirit remains as strong as ever. While many close to him joke that he’ll never fully retire, his passion for the sport continues to fuel his drive. “Retirement’s great,” Slater smiled after his victory over Ewing, showing no signs of slowing down.
Slater’s last win at Pipeline came in 2022 when he triumphed over Seth Moniz in a historic final. Now, with Finals Day approaching at this year’s Pipe Pro, there’s speculation that the 11-time world champion could make more waves of history.
Reflecting on the emotions of his 2022 win, Slater said, “I committed my life to this. To all of this. To all of the heartbreak and winning… I’ve hated lots of it, but I savor this. This is the best win of my life.”
Tom Servais, a renowned surf photographer and SURFER Magazine legend, likens Slater’s approach to surfing to that of a Formula 1 driver—he thrives in the best conditions. “It’s doubtful Slater would have much interest in competing in junky beachbreaks,” Servais noted, emphasizing that the perfect, eight- to ten-foot waves at Pipeline are what continue to inspire him.
Slater himself has made no secret of his love for the iconic Hawaiian break. In a past interview with SURFER, he shared his long-term goal: “I’ve made myself a goal that I want to get barreled out there when I’m 90 years old… at Backdoor. I’m biding my time. This is a slow burn. I figure, at 90, no matter how crowded it is, I’ll go out there and catch any wave I want. I can probably only get one or two at that age, if at all, but I’m going to go on the one I want… Mike Ho will probably drop in on me.”
As Slater continues to impress at Pipeline, one thing remains certain: his passion for the sport and competitive spirit are far from fading. With Finals Day on the horizon, could Slater be poised for another chapter in his legendary career? Time will tell.
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