Slater Won’t be at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

March 23, 2018 by

Kelly Slater has officially pulled out of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach surfing competition. His withdrawal arrives just after another last-minute decision to give the Quik Pro Gold Coast competition a miss, and is thanks to the broken foot  that the 11-time world champ sustained at the Jeffrey’s Bay event last year.

Slater has been in the surf a few times since his injury, with the first competitive heat being Pipeline, where he surfed well although he was clearly favouring the hurt foot. He’s been at a few spots here and there since then, not excluding his wave pool, but has never been at 100%. He recently wrote on Instagram about getting back on the horse too soon, speaking of the excitement of a new year, his foot not bothering him for a few days, and some other factors getting him into the water before he was ready.

Slater stated that he thinks it’s best that he get his injured foot rehabilitated properly so that he can once more give surfing his all, adding that he would return when the time was right. Michael February, a South African surfer, was ready to take Slater’s spot, and is happy, considering. He stated that it was a strange way to get into the competition, but that he was sure it had happened for a reason. He will be replacing Slater at Bells, coming up against Griffin Colapinto, the rookie currently blazing a trail, and Filipe Toledo.

TOP online betting SITESMarch 2024
#SiteNZRatingBonusBet
1 IE allowed5/5100% Match up to $250 Bet now
Review
2 IE allowed4.9/5100% Match Bet now
Review
3 IE allowed4.8/5Login to see promotions Bet now
Review

Gary Hicks

More About

When it comes to knowing what’s going on, on the track, field or any other sporting arena, Gary Hicks is your man. With an almost unrivalled passion for journalism, sports and betting Gary decided to combine his love of all 3 and share his expertise with the world.
In the last few years Gary has risen through the ranks and prides himself on always keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s hot and happening in the sports betting world. Gary is the resident news expert at OnlineBettingNZ.co.nz and his articles make for invaluable fodder for any avid punter.

View Posts - Visit Website