Stephanie Gilmore set to compete at the Gold Coast Pro in her World Surf League Championship Tour return

Surfing superstar Stephanie Gilmore is set to return to world tour - with a catch. The eight-time world champion is a confirmed starter at this week’s Gold Coast Pro and has opened up about whether it marks a fulltime return to competition.

Eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) will make a one-off return to CT competition as an event wildcard this week at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM. Credit: WSL / Andrew Shield

Eight-time world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore will end her tour hiatus by competing in the Gold Coast Pro.

The Gold Coast surfing superstar has been given a wildcard for the event, replacing Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb who has taken leave from the tour for mental health reasons.

Gilmore hasn’t competed on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour since the end of the 2023 season, taking a break from competing in 2024 before deciding to do the same this year.

The 37-year-old said it would be a one-off appearance and didn’t mark her return to full-time competition.

Eight-time world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore pictured at Brighton Beach. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I’m super excited to have this opportunity to get back in the jersey for the CT’s return to the Gold Coast,” Gilmore said as she prepares to compete in an event she has won six times.

“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, but it’s still a perfect right point, so I feel like it’s a spot that suits my style.

“It will be cool to see everyone work out a new wave on tour, so hopefully, it delivers some of the perfection it’s known for. It will be my first time competing at Burleigh since I was a junior, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Eight-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore of Australia surfs in the Snapper World Champs Heat at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro on April 27, 2024 at Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. (Photo by Cait Miers/World Surf League)

Gilmore’s return will mark a clash between the sport’s greatest ever and the next generation.

The queen of surfing will come up against reigning world champion Caitlin Simmers and Brazlian Luana Silva in her opening round heat.

Gold Coast-based surfers Jack Robinson and Isabella Nichols are in the box seat to win the Australian treble, with the Gold Coast event to be followed by the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia.

Robinson and Nichols won the Bells Beach Pro last week, both have superior knowledge of the Gold Coast breaks and the former grew up surfing Margaret River while the latter won her first tour event at the WA break.

Australian Callum Robson has been given a wildcard into the Gold Coast Pro while compatriot Jordan Lawler will replace Ramzi Boukhiam who has withdrawn due to a knee injury.

Originally published as Stephanie Gilmore set to compete at the Gold Coast Pro in her World Surf League Championship Tour return