Kelly Slater’s bid for Sydney Surf Pro win ended by high-flying Brazilians

He was the king of swing on the golf course in the morning but an impressive air show by a pair of Brazilians has ended Kelly Slater’s bid for his first win of the year after just two surfs.

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He was the king of swing on the golf course in the morning but an impressive air show by a pair of Brazilians ended Kelly Slater’s bid for his first win of the year after just two surfs.

Slater was the highest-profile name in a mass exodus of world tour surfers from the Sydney Surf Pro at Manly on Thursday.

After six local and international world tour surfers were bundled out of the women’s competition, Slater (6.53) followed suit, finishing fourth in a heat dominated by high-flyers Jesse Mendes (14.67) and Alex Ribeiro (14.07).

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Slater, a single-figure handicap golfer who had limbered up for his surf with a hit against cricketer Steve Waugh, came undone in the small surf as his rivals produced a display of air whips, turns, rotations, reverses and high-flying antics to impress the judges.

Kelly Slater in action at the Sydney Surf Pro on Thursday. Picture: AAP

“I just didn’t get much going on out there,’’ said Slater, using the event to prepare for his campaign to win a 12th world crown.

Kelly Slater is mobbed by fans after his round 3 loss at the Sydney Surf Pro on Thursday. Picture: AAP

“I tried to be patient and wait for a good one but it never really happened.’’

Kelly Slater (left) and former Australin cricket captain Steve Waugh played golf earlier in the day.

Slater, besieged by a string of injuries over the past two seasons including a broken foot, said he prefers to surf in bigger conditions than small surf at Manly on Thursday.

“It is a lot harder for me to surf small waves with the injury,’’ said Slater who has been awarded an injury wildcard for the 2019 world tour this year.

Kelly Slater during his heat at Manly on Thursday.

Slater’s appearance at the Sydney Pro is the first part of a complex and ambitious plan to regain the world No.1 mantle in surfing at age 47 and potentially one of two spots for American men at next year’s Olympic debut of surfing at age 48.

Jesse Mendes on his way to winning his Round 3 heat against Kelly Slater at the Sydney Surf Pro. Picture: AAP

On a disastrous day for big names, Australian world tour surfers Nikki Van Dyk and Macy Callaghan were both bundled out of the world qualifying series tournament.

The Australian were in good company with American world tour surfers Sage Erikson and Coco Ho, New Zealander Paige Hareb and Frenchwoman Johanne Defay also sent to the beach.

In other news, the World Surf League announced the three-year renewal of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal as world tour events.