And says she'll back on the tour in 2026 in her thirty-ninth year.
It was to nobody’s surprise that ol Stephanie Gilmore took one whiff of Caity Simmers and Molly Picklum’s foaming and frenzied madness last year and quit the tour.
It was, ostensibly time off, but the champ, who turned thirty-seven in June, and who won her first world title in her rookie year of 2007, wasn’t going to upset her reputation for beatitude and calm with the sloppiness of age.
The zenith for Stephanie Gilmore’s career came in 2022 when she dominated Finals Day, starting in fifth place, mowing through all-comers before beating Carissa Moore in the winner-take-all surf-off.
Stephanie Gilmore’s cunning and intelligence were laid bare a few minutes ago when it was announced she would be climbing off the bench to compete as a wildcard at the Gold Coast, which is to be contested at Burleigh Heads, waiting period starting this weekend.
Real smart ‘cause Stephanie Gilmore has won the contest six times.
I’m super excited to have this opportunity to get back in the jersey for the CT’s return to the Gold Coast,” Gilmore, who says she’s gonna return to the tour in 2026 in her thirty-ninth year, says. “I’ve been enjoying my time away from tour, but I’m still a competitor at heart, so I am really looking forward to clicking back into that mindset and testing myself after some time away from competition. It’s so close to home as well, so it’s really a no-brainer.
“I’m definitely not as in tune with Burleigh as I am with Snapper (Rocks), but it’s still a perfect right point, so I feel like it’s a spot that suits my style. It will be my first time competing at Burleigh since I was a junior, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Ain’t gonna be easy.
She hits world champ Caity Simmers and Bells runner-up Luana Silva in the opening heat although hard to imagine anyone slaying those little Rincon-esque runners better than the eight-timer.
How’s it going to play it out?
Good chance she gonna win, I say.
And a 2026 return? Smart play or Slater-esque in its futility?
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Michael Peterson is worshipped like a God in Australia – he was far less influential in the US, Europe, Japan, South Africa or Brasil.
It’s a cultural thing –
I like Steph in the comp. My bigger gripe is why do we have to put up with another Ian Gentile in place of Gabby?
yes agree , but what about Sasha?
Farrk let’s go the whole hog ( pig) and give lame beachwhaley a wild card as well and really drag female surfing back to the future.
She is only relevant on the Gold Coast, the Gold Coast is the selfi influencer celebrity idolising capital of the surfing world .
What Gila said above- Steph is a mainstream sports star in Oz, she’ll attract immense amounts of media to the comp.
From the current Schedule and what we’ve seen so far- Steph would still be Top 5 surfer- no probs.
And will be next year too.
C’mon LT we’re not biting on that hype. Nothing wrong with Steph as a marketable Australian woman surf icon but it’s time to put grandma to bed.
The real test for the women will be at upcoming fully throated big Cloudy and macking Teahupo’o. That should separate the women from the girls. Here’s a list of women that I would bet on anytime over Steph at any contest with waves over 6ft – especially in Hawaii.
Gabby
Caity
Molly
Isabella
Sawyer
Erin
Luana
Betty Lou
Vahine
Brisa
totally agree mate- but in the soft right-handers that the tour has featured so far, Steph wins more than she loses.
bullshit, 8ft sunset can can take any of them, any day
Steph is a big deal in aus, she’s on the weetbix box
If it’s just a case of Aussie celebrity couldn’t we just have a heat between Margot Robbie, Naomi Watts and Elle McPherson?
I’d watch. definitely be a bigger draw than Gilmore.
Usually make a sammich when Steph’s on, because after what seems like 50 years of watching her surf she’s just too predictable…..kind of like Igarashi.
for us Steph is a national treasure , she surfs with probably the best style of any woman surfer, amazing personality……so which women do you watch??
I’m n0t really into the “national treasure” stuff, considering that almost everyone has a different heritage than the place in which they live.
Honestly, I consider you more of an Australian national treasure than Steph. You’ve done way more to advance the sport and technology, and the indigenous peoples of Australia than she ever will. The legendary Mo Brutus Maximus.
Steph’s surfing was great in her era, but so was Beachley, Zamba, Copper, Burridge, Oberg and Sunn but women’s surfing has just made an incredible leap forward in the past three years so I like seeing the progression and gusto of female surfers like Simmers, Brooks, Picklum, Nichols and Fierro. Steph would never charge like this new pack.
As far as greatness in womens surfing, Carissa was probably the best. Been in the water many times with her. she absolutely rips. speed, power, flow….and progression all day. best female surfer I’ve ever seen and a wonderful person.
mate I am national disgrace , and proud of it…as the “system” has worked me my whole life…..if it doesn’t kill you it makes ya stronger!
Steph is such a down to earth classy act…..she pioneered modern womens surfing not unlike Lisa Anderson’s affect on womens surfing.
and then there was Rell and Margo the golden girls…again incredible classy acts and pioneered womens surfing…….yeah there’s a new era coming with Simmers Brooks etc…..lets hope there not a vanilla as the new mens contenders!
In Australia, being a “national disgrace” instantly qualifies you as a national treasure.
just look at Sam Newman. ken treasure
when first I read this I thought, what is the actual definition of “wildcard”.
here’s what I found:
a person or thing whose influence is unpredictable or whose qualities are uncertain.
Stephanie is anything but “unpredictable” or “whose qualities are uncertain”.
Yeah but you can’t tell me any of the current crop have style close to Steph. Caity is good but needs more power
Makes sense. I’m in California and my kid’s favorite surfer is Caity Simmers by a country mile, fwiw
Money talks like sponsors influence. Unlike departing this life permanently surfing has no such equivalent.
Sometimes I’m just confused by sentences that begin with “She hits world champ Caity Simmers”
I appreciate you candor on women’s surfing. good and bad. props to you.
Watch out for the mechanical engineer gal (Iza Nichols). She could channel a young Steph, but with more energy.
Iza Nichols is Aldi Steph
Follow the Goats 🐐🐐! Retire and Pop out some Groms! We need her Eggs more than her comeback….”Do the Right Thing” Spike Lee…
From expression session to the elimination round.
fuck you and hamas
I mean, are they trying to make events more boring?
She’s the only nostalgia act I want to see for women’s
Gosh, I’m Loving that call! Now you’re getting it.
How did you get from Khan Yunis to Angourie so quickly?