Kelly Slater Announces Competitive Comeback at 53 Years Old

The specialty event is poised to run January 4th-16th, 2026, per the North Shore Chamber of Commerce. That makes the event window just about one month before Slater’s 54th birthday. And yet, age is just a number, so they say; the 11x world champion is one of the best ever at the world’s deadliest surf spot, and he’ll be joined by a star-studded team, including the proverbial king and queen of Pipeline: Jamie O’Brien, Moana Jones-Wong.

Also on team A New Earth Project: Koa Smith, Shayden Pacarro, and alternate Luke Tema.

Speaking to the beloved specialty event, Peter King, penned:

“The shootout is an incredible event that has endured for so many years while other brands have come and gone from being involved on the North Shore and so many events fall off and disappear.

“Eddie Rothman and Da Hui have kept the shootout going strong at the best wave in the world, providing the best contest for anybody fortunate enough to get in.”

Slater, for his part, has recently opened up about some injuries and medical conditions that he’s racked up during his multi-decade career. Like his scoliosis. And upon the announcement that he will return to competition, the always coy Slater wrote:

“Hoping I’m healed enough to surf by early mid January.”

We’re hoping so, too.