Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Kelly Slater is 54, had hip surgery late last year and his most recent World Surf League event win was in 2022.
But the 11-time world champion’s fearsome reputation as a competitor, plus his peerless resume at the Teahupo’o break, means no-one in the men’s field at the Tahiti Pro next month will feel comfortable while he is in the draw.
The GOAT of men’s surfing has been announced as a wildcard for the August 8-18 event, which is round seven of the championship tour.
There is a strong commercial element to his latest comeback. The clothing brand he co-founded 11 years ago is the event’s title sponsor.
“I’ve been recovering from hip surgery late last year and recently got back to surfing daily,” Slater said in a World Surf League statement.
“I’m really looking forward to getting myself locked in before August comes around and hoping for great conditions in Tahiti to give us all a good challenge.
“No pressure for me coming into this one, but I also haven’t competed in quite a long time, so it’ll be fun to see how I go getting in the mix with everyone.
“If I can relax and just focus on what I know out there, I should have a good time.”
Slater also had a wildcard entry for the Trestles Pro in California, where he did not survive the first elimination round. Slater’s Outerknown brand was also a sponsor of that event.
And while the last of his five wins at Teahupo’o was in 2016, it has been one of Slater’s most successful venues.
He has a record five event wins from seven finals there and the American remains one of surfing’s best tube riders.
His 2014 Teahupo’o semi-final against Hawaiian John John Florence is revered as arguably the greatest heat in World Surf League history.
Kelia Gellina also will be a local wildcard in the women’s event and Eimeo Czermak likewise has earned a spot in the men’s draw.
