King announced last year that he would retire at the end of 2013 but circumstances out of his control has seen him draw the curtain early.

He will walk away from competition after this weekend's second World Tour event to be held on the South Coast.

The three time world champion and dual local surfer of the century, said there was one main contributing factor to the decision.

"My sponsor, Turbo, has pretty much gone bust," he said. "So I pretty much don't have a major sponsor anymore.

"I really wanted to go to the end of the year but due to the circumstances, it's probably the right time for me now."

As King prepares to wind down a stellar career he and his family are preparing for the next stage in his life and something the surf lover hasn't taken on before, full time work.

The larger than life character is making a move into real estate with the Port Macquarie Laing and Simmons branch.

"I'm really excited about it actually," he said. "I've been doing a bit of work experience there recently and they are a great bunch of people. I'm really looking forward to it."

King admitted he will miss competing but is buoyed by the chance to spend more time with his young family.

"I'm really competitive in whatever I do," he said. "So I'll no doubt miss it but it will give me the chance to spend more time with the family instead of being halfway across the world."

King said his health was another factor in the decision saying the sport had taken its toll on his body.

"If I kept going there's a good chance I'd be in a wheelchair by the time I'm 40," he said.

King said he wanted to go out on top of his game and coming seventh in the first pro round this year means he will complete his career in the top 10.

"That's at least something I can take out of it," he said. "I was always going to go out on top."