- Stephanie Gilmore, 36, won’t compete on 2025 WSL tour
- Eight-time world champion wants to ‘heal from injuries’
- Aussie won her first world title as a rookie in 2007
Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore’s professional surfing future is in the balance after the Australian aborted her tour return days out from the season opener.
It comes as reigning men’s World Surf League champion John John Florence is also stepping away from fulltime competition as he takes on new projects, promising to be back to chase a fourth world crown next year.
The WSL says 36-year-old Gilmore will receive the 2026 season wildcard – just as she got the wildcard for the 2025 season – allowing her to return to compete fulltime next year should she wish to.
‘After careful consideration, I’ve decided to take another season away from the WSL Tour,’ Gilmore said in a statement.
‘This time will allow me to focus on healing from some lingering injuries and redirect my energy toward continuing my adventures of surfing around the globe.
‘I’m deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my sponsors, and I wish all the athletes on tour the best of luck this season.’
Stephanie Gilmore’s professional surfing future is in the balance after the eight-time world champion aborted her WSL tour return days out from the season opener
Gilmore, 36, has chosen to ‘focus on healing from some lingering injuries’ and will also explore other projects
One of only three surfers to win a world title in their rookie year, Gilmore won in five of her first six seasons between 2007-2012 before adding silverware in 2014, 2018 and then coming from fifth place in the revamped finals format to claim an eighth title in 2022.
In 2024 she signed an eight-year deal with Rip Curl and recently launched her own clothing range and is part of the company’s ‘Search’ project that sees surfers chase waves in all corners of the globe.
American Caitlin Simmers was a world champion at 18 in Gilmore’s absence, while fellow Australian Molly Picklum (22) and Canada’s Erin Brooks (17) represent the next generation.
Competing with them has stirred compatriot Sally Fitzgibbons, who has won her way back on the Championship Tour at 34, and could still do the same for Gilmore.
‘I was like ‘man, I wish I was there, what am I doing?” Gilmore said recently on the Howie Games podcast.
‘It was an interesting feeling, but I liked it, because I must still want to do it.
‘If I still want to be there then there’s something inside of me that enjoys that desire of competition and trying to push yourself. It was a good feeling. It also made me think, ‘huh, maybe I could win nine (world titles)’.’
Florence, the men’s world champion in 2016, 2017 and 2024, will receive the 2026 season wildcard after becoming the third-straight male to take a sabbatical a year after winning the title.
Natural footer Gilmore won a world title in her rookie year back in 2007 (pictured, competing in the Gold Coast Pro last year)
‘I’ll be focusing on surfing in a different way this year,’ said 32-year-old Florence.
‘I am looking to explore, find new waves, and push my surfing as far as possible. I’ll be filming into some new projects and sharing my adventures along the way – and intend to compete for another world title in 2026.’
Florence’s spot on the tour this season goes to Alan Cleland Jr, who will became the championship tour’s first fulltime Mexican competitor.
Gilmore spot on the women’s tour falls to Luana Silva of Brazil.
Due to injury, Brazilian star Gabriel Medina has withdrawn from the first three events on the 2025 men’s tour, with the season opener in Hawaii starting on January 27.
Kelly Slater, 52, will make a cameo as a wildcard, chasing a repeat of his incredible 2022 charge to victory at the same venue just days before his 50th birthday.
