Julian Wilson secures World Surf League Championship Tour return at the Gold Coast Pro
An emotional Julian Wilson will compete in his first world surfing tour event since 2021 alongside a fellow Aussie who has returned from a serious back injury to line up alongside the best.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An emotional Julian Wilson has secured his spot in the Gold Coast Pro main draw in what will be his first world surfing tour event since 2021.
Wilson won the trials at Burleigh on Friday to secure his wildcard alongside female trials winner and fellow Sunshine Coast product Sophie McCulloch.
“(The return to the World Surf League’s Championship Tour) has come far sooner than I thought,” Wilson said.
“I had nothing to lose but I really wanted to gain the opportunity.
“I’m proud of myself for performing at a high enough level to get through. It gives me confidence I can get some proper scores and have a real swing at it.”
The 2018 Gold Coast Pro winner decided to leave the world tour in 2021 but is on a mission to requalify for the top level competition full time this year so he can appear at every event in 2026.
“It’s a second chapter for me. I can’t believe it’s come around this quickly. I’m a bit taken back to be honest. I was emotional a few times out in the water which is very surprising. It means quite a lot to me.”
McCulloch’s win adds to a stunning return from a serious back injury. She won the Gold Coast Open Qualifying Series event at Burleigh in February and now has the chance to win again at the same break.
“This one is extra special. I’m excited to continue to be able to compete well and maybe take a few scalps,” McCulloch said.
EARLIER
Why former world title challenger Wilson has returned
Julian Wilson says he still has what it takes to match it with the best surfers on the planet as he prepares to compete for a place in his first world tour event in four years.
The difference this time is a world title isn’t the reason for his return or why he is chasing a spot on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour.
“I still feel like I’m fully capable and able to compete against the best and want to have another go,” Wilson said ahead of today’s Gold Coast Pro trials where one male and one female will secure a spot in the main event that starts Saturday.
“I’m doing it from a different approach. It’s not all about chasing a world title, it’s about chasing those battles and seeing if I can still pick a few of the best guys off.
“I just want to soak it all in and not be chasing that world title dream because there is just another level of sacrifice that goes into that.
“I want to show my kids what I used to do and try and find a way to enjoy it. I want to go and test my measure and see where I’m at, see what I can achieve again.”
The 36-year-old Sunshine Coast resident was once touted as Australia’s next world title hope.
Wilson won the WSL Rookie of the Year award in 2011, finished second in the world in 2018 and has won five Championship Tour events already.
He made the sudden decision in 2021 to leave the top level after a gruelling period that included competing for Australia at the Tokyo Olympics and battling through various stints in quarantine due to Covid while competing on the tour.
Now Wilson has three children and his own surfwear business called Rivvia Projects.
“I never retired. I never looked at it like that,” Wilson said.
“I just needed to take a break under the circumstances. We ended up having a third child and now she is one and a half and no more kids on the horizon for us.”
Winning the trials won’t be an easy feat in both the men’s and women’s rankings.
Along with Wilson, former world tour surfer Josh Kerr and daughter Sierra will be competing along with established stars Sheldon Simkus and Macy Callaghan.
Add to that a stacked list of juniors including Burleigh’s very own sisters Isla and Mia, Huppatz, under-16 world champion Ziggy Mackenzie and more.
More Coverage
Originally published as Julian Wilson secures World Surf League Championship Tour return at the Gold Coast Pro
The gaping hole Crows must fill ahead of Curnow, McKay battle
Adelaide have a huge task of stopping Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay on Saturday — especially given they are missing a crucial cog of their defence. Here’s how they can still get the job done.
AFL Now: Sunday teams, young Saint’s huge show of faith
Matteas Phillipou is poised to re-sign with St Kilda in a huge show of faith in Ross Lyon’s rebuild. Find out and more and get Friday’s biggest footy news in AFL Now.