Slater returns to compete next weekend at the Surf Ranch

Signaling she's ready for Tokyo if JJF or Kolohe don't make it? Pool event has plenty of dropouts and replacements, check in to find out

June 12, 2021

Cover photo: WSL/Rowland

Kelly Slater will return to competition June 18-20 at the sixth leg of the CT, the Surf Ranch Pro, which will be held in the wave pool he invented in Leemore, California, the WSL said in a statement.

Slater missed the entire Australian leg due to various injuries, the foot that kept him out of the water a few years ago, his hips and other ailments. The best in history is now 49 years old.

With Kolohe Andino and John John Florence out of the tournaments due to injury, Kelly, who did not go to El Salvador presumably due to injuries, is sending a strong signal that he is ready to go to Tokyo 2020 in case either of them does not recover.

Meanwhile, one of Slater Designs' shapers, Akila Aipa, said in a post on social media that they are working on a specific design for the Surf Ranch wave.

The pool event had a flood of casualties, which we will detail below:

-Injured Kolohe Andino will be replaced by Mikey Wright (WSL replacement)

-Injured John John Florence will be replaced by Liam O'Brien (who placed third at Rottnest Island.

-Julian Wilson who went home to quarantine and prepare for Tokyo will be replaced by Patrick Gudauskas (fourth in the North American regional QS).

Jordy Smith (who underwent knee surgery) will be replaced by Lucas Vicente (current world junior champion)

Michel Bourez (injured man, DUKE learned he has a hernia that needs surgery) will be replaced by Eli Hanneman (highest ranked in the Hawaiian QS)

Women's Withdrawals And Replacements

-Lakey Peterson (back injury) replaced by Amuro Tsuzuki (WSL replacement, first to not qualify in 2020)

-Bronte Macaulay (who apparently never left Australia since the stages there), will be replaced by Alyssa Spencer (fourth in the North American QS)

Macy Callaghan (no reason for foul) will be replaced by Coco Ho (who won the Rumble At The Ranch)

Tyler Wright, who also did not declare a reason for absence, will be replaced by Caitlin Simmers (ranked 1 in the North American junior rankings).

Finally, the wildcards for the event are as follows: Nat Young (1st in the North American QS), Michael Dunphy (2nd in the North American QS) and Kirra Pinkerton (2018 Junior World Champion and 1st in the North American QS).