Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater will return to surfing’s elite tour as a wild-card in Tahiti and Fiji this season.
Slater, the greatest surfer of all time, bid an emotional farewell at Margaret River last week after his elimination in the round of 32 which relegated him to missing the mid-season cut.
The 52-year-old did not announce his complete retirement from the sport but indicated his time as a fulltime competitor on the championship tour was likely over with him expecting a child with partner Kalani Miller in July and admitting he was getting ready for a “different lifestyle”.
During the emotional interview, Slater revealed that he had applied for wild-cards at two of his favourite event
And on Thursday, the World Surf League confirmed it had granted him entry to the Tahiti Pro at Teahupo’o and Fiji Pro at Cloud Break, events he has previously won a combined nine times.
Slater will also reportedly surf the challenger series event at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast starting on Saturday.
Five-time world champion Carissa Moore, who accepted the wild-card earlier this year, will also return in Tahiti, while 24-year-old local Vahiné Fierro has been handed the final spot in the women’s event.
“Fierro, a Teahupo’o standout, will be a fierce addition in the line-up,” the WSL said in its tweet announcing the decision.