KELLY Slater was standing on the sand at Jeffreys Bay in 2002, trying to explain the battles raging inside his head.
He was the holder of six world titles. His standing as the greatest surfer in history was confirmed.
He had abandoned the tour comeback to the competitive scene, jaded and world-weary all over again, wondering whether he should walk away for good.
He pointed to a rock in the cold South African water.
"The first time you swim out to it, it's an accomplishment," he said.
"You keep swimming out to the same rock and after a few more times, it doesn't mean as much any more. You know you can do it. You've proved it to yourself and everyone else.
feel any better? I don't know. You start looking around for other rocks to swim to.
"
Slater has reached the rock twice since then, winning back-to-back world titles, claiming his eighth yesterday with a Pro in Mundaka, Spain.
times.
Doubt that?
Formula one driver Michael Schumacher has won one number of Tour de France victories: seven.
He's basically a loner, never sure what he wants.
"I've got to get away from everyone for this to sink in," he said.
"I need a little space. I had a lot of stress the last couple of years before winning last year, but this year I haven't had any stress at all. My life is pretty cruisey now.
"I'll sit back later and think about it all. I'm a little cold and shaky, but I'm just stoked now I can go and sit down and relax. I used to play little games with myself when I was younger, like paddling for waves and saying, 'If I catch this one I'll win [this don't know what number I put in there, but eight sounds pretty good.
"
Another part just wants to run away. Yet again, he doesn't know if he'll return in 2007.
"I feel good, I feel like I'm surfing as good and strong as ever," he said.
"It makes me feel like I can keep going if I want. I just don't know if that's what I want. It's tempting to retire when you're at the pinnacle of your career, but it's also tempting to keep going.
you can have."
send photos, videos tip-offs to 0424 SMS SMH (+61 424 767 764), or us.
News RSS