Stephanie Gilmore, the most accomplished female surfer of all time, has made a comeback to the World Surf League (WSL) after a two-year hiatus. At 37 years old, Gilmore returned as a wildcard entry in the Gold Coast Pro, unsure of how she would fare against younger competitors, some of whom weren’t even born when she started making waves in the sport. Despite this, she approached the event with a relaxed attitude, joking that her performance could be attributed to her side gig playing guitar with the band Spiderbait.
Having first joined Spiderbait for a performance at Byron Bay’s Falls Festival a decade ago, Gilmore has remained involved in the music scene, performing with the Australian rock band on several occasions. Her dual passion for surfing and music shows her versatility, and despite her lighthearted excuse for her return to competition, she proved her mettle by advancing comfortably through the opening round, sending junior world champion Luana Silva into the elimination round.
Gilmore’s return to competition is significant, as the landscape of women’s surfing has evolved considerably during her time away. With equal prize money in place since 2019 and an integrated tour schedule since 2022, the sport has seen rapid improvement in performance, especially with a new generation of female surfers like Milla Brown and Sierra Kerr, who are just as skilled in the air as their male counterparts.
Gilmore, ever the realist, has tempered her expectations for her return, acknowledging the rise in competition and the need for top-tier performance to win events. Having dominated the sport for years, including winning her eighth world title in 2022, she says her goal now is to enjoy the process of competing rather than stressing about the outcome. “I’m being very honest with myself,” she explains, reflecting on the increasing talent of the younger surfers on tour.
Her decision to take a break after the 2023 season came after a long and successful run. “I’ve spent 17 years on tour,” Gilmore shares, “I’ve had a lot of great success, really achieved my main goal – to win an eighth world title. I was looking for something more, in myself and in my surfing.” During her time away, she focused on finding new waves, testing out different equipment, and enjoying a slower pace of life, spending more time at home and with family.
Gilmore’s break also gave her the opportunity to reflect on the demands of the WSL tour, which spans across multiple continents, from Hawaii to Abu Dhabi, Portugal, El Salvador, and Australia in just a few months. With the grueling travel schedule behind her for now, she is able to appreciate the lifestyle of surfing without the constant jet lag.
Looking ahead to 2026, while Gilmore hasn’t made any firm decisions about a full-time return to the WSL, the possibility remains. Next year’s WSL format change, which will determine the world champion based on overall points rather than a final event, could create a more familiar path for Gilmore, who once dominated that format.
Gilmore is fully aware of the emerging young talents on tour, such as Caitlin Simmers, Luana Silva, and Molly Picklum, but she is determined not to let age dictate her future in the sport. “There’s a massive amount of young women in this next generation that are just pushing the boundaries,” she says. While her time at the top may be limited, she remains open to competing for more titles and inspiring the next wave of surfers.
Her goals are not just about winning another world title, though. Gilmore’s eyes are set on the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, where surfing will return to the Games for the first time since 2020. A spot in the Olympic team would be an exciting milestone in her career, even if it is a long shot.
For now, Gilmore is focused on the present, competing with the same passion that has driven her throughout her career. Whether she continues to chase world titles or sets her sights on new goals, Stephanie Gilmore is back, and she’s still dreaming big.
