Each December, surfers compete for the coveted Pipeline Masters surf title.
At the prestigious Pipeline Masters on the North Shore of Oahu in 1999, Slater attempted a rodeo flip.
Lopez last surfed Pipeline in December during an exhibition as part of the Pipeline Masters, an event he won in 1972 and 1973.
It was the 17th time Slater has competed in the Pipeline Masters, which is the longest running event in competitive surfing, at 38 years.
It was the 17th time Slater had competed in the Pipeline Masters, the longest-running event in competitive surfing at 38 years.
"Right now would be a great time to retire and just watch from the sidelines," Slater, 36, said Friday after winning his record sixth Pipeline Masters.
The wider surfing community first became aware of the tensions at the 2007 Pipeline Masters contest, when Brazil's Neco Padaratz became involved in a fight with North Shore regular Sunny Garcia.
Now, without a rival or anything to prove, Slater faces questions about his possible retirement after the season's final event in December, the prestigious Pipeline Masters, which he has won a record six times.
Hawaii's Pipeline Masters is the last stop on the world surfing tour and that scheduling, combined with Pipe's standing among the most dangerous waves on the planet, have conspired to produce extraordinary drama over the years.
In keeping with form this season, Slater cruised to a win at the Pipeline Masters, the most prestigious event in surfing, where he had not won in nine years.
