Burrow to retire from surfing tour

Australian surfing star Taj Burrow has announced the Fiji Pro in June will be his last event on the world tour.

Australian surfer Taj Burrow

Australian surfer Taj Burrow has announced the Fiji Pro in June will be his last event on tour. (AAP)

Top Australian surfer Taj Burrow has announced his impending retirement, saying the Fiji Pro in June will be his finale.

The 37-year-old, a perennial world title contender, made the announcement on Saturday at the Margaret River Pro - his home event.

Burrow finished runner-up for the world title in 1999 and 2007 and has been a world tour mainstay since 1998.

His announcement continues the changing of the guard among the top Australian men in the sport.

Owen Wright is having an indefinite break from competition while he recovers from the head trauma suffered last November in a Hawaii wipeout.

And three-time world champion Mick Fanning has started a mid-season sabbatical from competition.

"The sport has given me so much - years of incredible waves, experiences and friendships that I will never forget," Burrow said in a statement.

"The World Surf League officials and competitors have not only pushed me to be a better surfer, but have also become family to me."

World Surf League commissioner Kieren Perrow said Burrow had made a massive contribution to the sport.

"He is a surfer who inspired generations and sparked an approach that has raised the level of performance surfing in competition to unprecedented levels," Perrow said.

While Burrow never won a world title, he had 15 seasons where he finished among the top 10.

Burrow won his round-one heat on Friday at Margaret River, putting him into the third round.


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Source: AAP



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