Slater’s win sends message

Kelly Slater hinted strongly last season, as he had during previous seasons, that he might retire from pro surfing.

He has grown weary of competition and tour travel; he’d like to pursue other interests; he has nothing more to prove.

And yet there Slater remains, nemesis to all, even at 36, the greatest competition surfer ever to have strapped on a leash.

It took only one contest for Slater, who finished last season ranked third, to reestablish himself at No. 1 on the Foster’s ASP World Tour. He had not held such a distinction since 2006.

The surfer from Cocoa Beach, Fla., on Tuesday defeated reigning world champion Mick Fanning to win the season-opening Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast event at Snapper Rocks in Coolangatta, Australia.

It’s noteworthy because Fanning last season brought the title back to Australia for the first time since 1999, and seemed to have stated, through his dominating performance, that the Slater era is over.

That in itself might have inspired Slater, who powered through three heats -- including a trouncing of three-time world champion Andy Irons in the quarterfinals -- to reach the final against Fanning, at Fanning’s home break.

It was a close duel for much of the 35-minute, best-two-waves final, with Slater posting an 8.67 out of a possible 10 to lead, then watching his rival slash a right-hander to the beach for a 9.33 to move in front.

But if a statement was made, it was by Slater. During a 9.27 ride that would put him ahead to stay, he bashed the lip and spun a reverse, then rode backward on his swallowtail, fins first, for at least 15 yards before spinning back around amid cheers from the beach.

“I wanted another wave to come through and unfortunately for me it didn’t happen,” Fanning said. “But Kelly surfed amazing all event and he’s the greatest surfer of all time. I was just praying for another wave, but it didn’t come.”

The winning margin was 17.94 to 15.23, giving Slater, who has eight world titles, his first triumph in a man-on-man heat versus Fanning since 2003.

“It’s really satisfying,” Slater said. “I didn’t feel like I really got into motion last year. Even getting into the quarterfinals today I was thinking, ‘This is the best result I’ve had in six months.’ It feels great.”

Now comes the intrigue -- again.

Slater said before the contest that he would surf only selectively this year and that he would not compete in the second event at Bells Beach, Australia.

But he said the same thing in 2006, the last year in which he won the Quiksilver Pro, ultimately decided to compete at Bells, and went on to win his eighth title.

Thomas reported from Los Angeles.

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pete@ thomas@latimes.com