After failing to materialise for yesterday’s late afternoon duel with Mick Fanning, Kelly Slater has just ended speculation about whether he will surf round two via Instagram. The short answer is that he will not.

He posted the following message:

I have officially withdrawn from the #QuikProGoldCoast. For many months, my gut feeling has been to use this injury as a platform to overhaul and reset my mind and body. The looming excitement about a new year starting, my foot sort of magically allowing me to surf the past couple of days, and a number of other factors had me talking myself back into jumping in as soon as possible against my better judgment. I feel I’ve had a couple of half hearted attempts these past couple of years fighting injury and desire. The foot injury symbolizes a lot at this point in my career both as an ending and as a beginning. Hearing @mfanno talk about his reasons for retiring at the upcoming Bells event yesterday rang true for me also around going in the direction of doing things that make you uncomfortable. Competing is a natural environment for us both and it’s the easy route for me. I think it best that I properly rehabilitate the injury and choose to surf wholeheartedly, not from the excitement or stress of a last minute arrival. It’s not very professional or responsible and it won’t allow me to be at my best potential. I really love the energy around the events, especially a new year, and I find myself at odds especially with a potential Kirra swell approaching. I wish the best for everyone this event and a special good luck to @mikeyfebruary who will surf in my absence. Let him know if he wins I’m requesting a 10% caddy fee! Thanks to the WSL and crew for helping accommodate my predicament and I’ll be back when the time is right for me.

 

I have officially withdrawn from the #QuikProGoldCoast. For many months, my gut feeling has been to use this injury as a platform to overhaul and reset my mind and body. The looming excitement about a new year starting, my foot sort of magically allowing me to surf the past couple of days, and a number of other factors had me talking myself back into jumping in as soon as possible against my better judgment. I feel I've had a couple of half hearted attempts these past couple of years fighting injury and desire. The foot injury symbolizes a lot at this point in my career both as an ending and as a beginning. Hearing @mfanno talk about his reasons for retiring at the upcoming Bells event yesterday rang true for me also around going in the direction of doing things that make you uncomfortable. Competing is a natural environment for us both and it's the easy route for me. I think it best that I properly rehabilitate the injury and choose to surf wholeheartedly, not from the excitement or stress of a last minute arrival. It's not very professional or responsible and it won't allow me to be at my best potential. I really love the energy around the events, especially a new year, and I find myself at odds especially with a potential Kirra swell approaching. I wish the best for everyone this event and a special good luck to @mikeyfebruary who will surf in my absence. Let him know if he wins I'm requesting a 10% caddy fee!������‍♂️ Thanks to the WSL and crew for helping accommodate my predicament and I'll be back when the time is right for me.✌�� #Repost @wsl with @get_repost ・・・ 11x World Champion @kellyslater​ at Snapper Rocks �� #QuiksilverPro #GoldCoast | March 11 – 22 @quiksilver

A post shared by Kelly Slater (@kellyslater) on Mar 11, 2018 at 3:47pm PDT

What this means for the rest of Kelly's season remains a mystery. WIll he travel to Oz for Bells or Margaret River? Doubtful. Brazil? No chance. Keramas may peak his interest, or perhaps he'll return to slay the dragon that put him in this predicament at J-Bay? We wait with bated breath.