Surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore blames high heels for keeping her out of the water

SURF champion Stephanie Gilmore says strutting the red carpet in high heels has contributed to her delayed recovery from a serious knee injury.

Fashion sticks heel into Gilmore recovery

STRUTTING the red carpet has left Stephanie Gilmore high and dry with the six-time world surf champion revealing high heels have contributed to her delayed recovery from a serious knee injury.

Gilmore has admitted the red-carpet attire — along with a decision to throw away her crutches too soon — has played a major part in keeping her onto the sidelines for one of her favourite World Surf League events in California.

The 27-year-old said she now realises she opted to start walking “way too early’’ and wore high heels at far too many events since suffering three hairline fractures in her knee during a free surf at the Margaret River Pro in April.

Stephanie Gilmore hasn’t competed for over four months.

Gilmore, whose world title campaign was derailed as soon as she missed her first world tour event, has attended numerous major award ceremonies and functions in recent times, including the famous Met Gala in New York and the ESPY’s.

Resplendent in a burgundy Marchesa gown and heels, fashion, art and music lover Gilmore made a giant splash when she arrived at the Met on the arm of 11-time world champion and friend Kelly Slater.

“I think I went to a few too many big events in high heels,’’ Gilmore said.

“But it was the Met Gala and other really major events. They are once in a lifetime opportunities.’’

Gilmore said she made the tough decision not to compete at the high performance wave at Lower Trestles in the Swatch Pro which started today, to give her leg further time to heal and gain strength.

“I was really close to competing but I just don’t think I could give it 100 per cent,’’

said the defending champion whose win at Trestles last year provided a springboard to her sixth world crown.

“It’s a bummer. I love this event.’’

Stephanie Gilmore at the ESPYs.

Gilmore said the knee injury is the most significant of her career and while only 70 per cent recovered now, believes she will return to the surf better than ever sometime this year.

“I really do believe I can return better,’’ she said.

“I certainly know I can’t wait to be surfing competitively again. I really miss it.’’