Damian King is leaving the professional bodyboarding circus. The Australian's last event will be the Pipe Challenge 2013.
The rider who won the 2003 and 2004 IBA World Tour titles and the 2011 Dropknee World Tour trophy is packing up his bodyboard fins, after a long professional career.
King was the first bodyboarder in history to win both Prone and Dropknee world titles. Now, without sponsors, Damian calls it quits.
"After being a professional bodyboarder for the past 15 years, unfortunately this will be my last international contest. Due to not re-signing my board contract, I won't be able to afford to do the rest of the tour", Damian King tells Riptide.
"I was going to retire at the end of 2013 World Tour, so not being able to finish the final year is a bit of a disappointment. However I've had an amazing career and thankfully have a good job waiting for me in real estate. If there is another event in Australia, I'll do it, but I won't be chasing the World Tour".
Damian King grew up in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, the capital of Australian bodyboarding. He was featured in "The Joker" and "The Joker" bodyboard movies.