Surf legend Kelly Slater opens up about his hopes for his unborn son - and the health secrets behind his incredible ability to take on the world's best into his 50s

Kelly Slater has uncovered some of the health secrets behind his record-setting professional surfing career while talking about his hopes for the baby he'll soon have with partner Kalani Miller.

Many thought the greatest career in the sport's history had drawn to a close at the Australian Margaret River Pro earlier this month, when Slater choked back tears after being eliminated by points leader Griffin Colapinto.

He hugged his friend and rival, was chaired from the beach and told his fans 'It's not all roses, you know? But it's been the best time of my life.'

After winning the world title a record 11 times and notching up 56 Championship Tour victories, nobody could blame Slater from leaving the sport he loves.

After all, he is expecting his first son with with pregnant partner Kalani Miller and spending time on the Gold Coast to get some thoroughly deserved rest.

Shockingly, though, Slater plans to keep taking on the professional tour well into his 50s.

'It's actually funny because I never said the retirement word,' he said this week.

'I'm retiring from fulltime competition. [But] I'll still do some competitions, the ones I enjoy and get the opportunity to do.

'I'm not chasing titles and stuff nowadays. I've plenty of things I'm working on and things I'm passionate about.'

So how does Slater keep his body and mind sharp enough to take on the world's best at his age?

'I've tried a lot of the things over the years, to maximise my output and keep myself youthful and young. Luckily I have been able to have a long career because I have stayed injury free and been healthy,' he told News Corp.

'I just look after myself and it's probably maybe the number one thing in my life. My girlfriend and I are making sure ingredients are healthy and natural and try to limit any processed foods, candy and sugars. It's a big part of our lives.'

The Floridian also puts his amazing longevity in the sport down to hardly touching alcohol, saying his motto when it comes to grog is 'just have a sip here and there'.  

For now, though, impending parenthood is firmly on Slater's mind.

He already has one child, Taylor Slater, who is 28,  a noted photographer and  painter. 

Kelly is ready to be a parent again and hopes that the new arrival has the best characteristics of himself and his partner Kalani Miller. 

'We are really excited, little unnerving, little scary but that's part of the excitement and anticipation that comes along with being a parent,' Slater said.

'I'm generally pretty calm in stressful situations. Kalani's a lot more organised, more on it with everything she needs to get done. So I hope our child is that way.

'But it's fun to like thrills and excitement too so maybe a little bit more of the physical life I like and balance of life she likes.'