Pro surfers pay homage to Slater

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Author: SURFING
• Publication title: Northern Advocate, The (Whangarei, New Zealand)

Slater lost to fellow American Colapinto in the round of 16 of the Margaret River Pro on Tuesday, meaning he missed the World Surf League’s mid-season cut, falling off the Championship Tour

The 11-time world champion was chaired from Main Break, with fans and fellow surfers acknowledging a career that will probably never be equalled, winning 56 titles with his first back in 1992.

“It’s almost hitting me, it’s right there, it’s bubbling,” Slater said of the realisation that his fulltime career was at a close.

“It is what it is, everything comes to an end and if you don’t adapt, you don’t survive and my motivation hasn’t quite been there to put in that 100 per cent.

“I couldn’t quite pull a miracle off this week but I’ve pulled off a few over the years.

“I’ve been struggling since my surgery, fighting through the pain and hoping for adrenaline.

“It’s so much emotion for so long ... . it’s not all roses but it’s been the best times of my life.

“It feels like the end but it’s the start of something else, the rest of my life.”

The 52-year-old, who has battled a hip injury since 2022, said his tour elimination had a silver lining, giving him more time to prepare for the arrival of his baby with partner...