Australian Jack Freestone has joined the list of surfers who are either leaving or deciding to take a break from the world surfing tour, he announced on social media an hour ago.

“This year has been a rollercoaster of emotions (…) and I’m happy to take a break and be okay with it,” she wrote. She added: “So many things went into making the decision: Injuries, family, travel, mental health, Covid, etc.”

The Australian says the Haleiwa Challenger will be his last event “for a while.”

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He clarifies that it is a pause and not a retirement: “I am not closing the door to competitive surfing, I am simply leaving the space for a while.”

“It’s time to free surf and make a movie again.”

Freestone is the fifth surfer in a short period of time to announce a break or retirement, joining Bronte Macaulay, Jeremy Flores, Adriano de Souza and Mikey Wright.

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