Tracy Gilmore speaks on her daughter’s break, sends ominous warning to WSL competitors
Steph Gilmore’s mother has revealed why the year off the pro circuit is having a huge impact on her eight-time world champion daughter’s life. Read the latest
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Steph Gilmore may have taken a year off the World Surf League this year but that doesn’t mean she won’t come back stronger in 2025.
That is the belief of her mum, Tracy Gilmore, who noted many of the best surfers have returned stronger after prolonged absences.
“Mick (Fanning) had that injury with his leg and he came back so much stronger afterwards. Kelly (Slater) had a break over the years and came back,” Tracy said.
“Chelsea (Hedges) said she came back much stronger after her first child, it just seems to be a formula that works.”
Tracy added the break had been refreshing for her eight-time WSL champion daughter.
“You don’t have all that travel, having to get on planes and get to events and schedule things and look for rentals,” she said.
“It gives her time to breathe and just relax and have a lot of fun with her friends and enjoy the area she grew up in.
“There will be a lot of fun trips away, but at the moment she’s just exploring and taking long service leave.”
Gilmore competed in a “world champions” exhibition heat at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro last Saturday alongside fellow world champions Slater, Fanning, Joel Parkinson, and Mark Occhilupo.
Tracy was impressed with her daughter’s showing - the unofficial scorers and Slater said Gilmore definitely dominated - and pointed out she has the freedom to experiment for the next 12 months.
“If the heat at Snapper the other day is anything to go by she’s firing and loving it and exploring making her manoeuvres as strong and sharp as she can,” Tracy said.
“Being free to surf and not having to be under pressure when you do it allows you to develop those sort of things.”
Tracy Gilmore will be a guest speaker when the 2024 Seas the Day returns to Kingscliff Beach later this year.
Seas the Day was the world’s largest female surf participation event in its second year running, and aims to encourage women of all skill levels to compete in a pressure-free environment.
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