Wave of future - Slater, nearing the end of his competitive surfing career, is planning to work with conservation society

On the contrary. When he retires, after this season or next, he will endeavor to chase poachers on the high seas.

Slater, 35, revealed during an interview this week that, among other ventures, he'd like to work with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and its confrontational captain, Paul Watson.

"He's almost single-handedly saved tens of thousands of whales and probably hundreds of thousands of dolphins around the world," Slater said. "He's been busting people and they can do some pretty radical things at sea where, if you're doing something illegally, it's kind of open game on your boat."

But before he opens this thrilling new life episode, there's another he'd like to close on a high note.

He has eight world titles -- the only surfer with half as many is Mark Richards, with four -- and is making a run for his ninth.

Slater is ranked No. 4 on the Foster's ASP World Tour as its sixth of 10 events, the Boost Mobile Pro, gets underway beginning Sunday at Lower Trestles near San Clemente.

It's a pivotal contest for the innovative power surfer from Cocoa Beach, Fla., who is seeking his first win of the season.

Only with a triumph or high finish will he realistically remain in the race, which is led by Australia's Mick Fanning.

Slater cites a lack of motivation for his slow start, which includes two ninth-place finishes.

"I've just sort of not been in the driver's seat," he said. "I've been a passenger waiting for somebody to kick my butt into gear and take me where I need to go."

Though he seems to be coming around -- he made the final of the last event in South Africa, losing to Australia's Taj Burrow -- his mind has been on future projects.

Slater, who is of Syrian descent, will visit Israel next month with the legendary Paskowitz family to facilitate, through surfing, goodwill between Israelis and Palestinians.

"I have an interest in the situation and want to know more," Slater said.

But he claims not to be distracted and seems, based on his conversational tone, to have been duly kicked into gear.

At Trestles, he points out, he made the two-man final last year, won in 2005, made the final in 2004 and finished third in 2003.