World traveller Stephanie Gilmore ready to rock in opening event of world surf tour

For the past three months Stephanie Gilmore has done almost the exact opposite of her rivals for an eighth world surfing crown in 2019. And she’s good with that.

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For the past three months world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore has been travelling the world for photo shoots in the Caribbean, free surfing in Mozambique, been filmed for upcoming movies and catching up with friends and family.

Pretty much everything in fact except what most of her rival surfers for the 2019 world crown have been doing - ironing out niggles and jitters, testing new moves and honing their competitive edge in multiple pre-season events.

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In contrast Gilmore has not surfed competitively since winning her seventh world title at the Maui Pro in late November last year.

Stephanie Gilmore with surfers who took part in an all-girl clinic with the seven-time world champ at Duranbah. Pic: Nigel Hallett.

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While Gilmore admits a fortnight ago she realised the opening round of the world tour was on the approach and “freaked a bit’’ she says she is comfortable with her unorthodox approach.

With seven world titles to her name the 31-year-old knows what she needs to do to be mentally and physically ready for a campaign for a record eighth crown.

In the past it was doing lead-up events, sometimes the more the better. Now it’s having fun surfing at her home break, staying fit and healthy and being inspired by surfing’s Olympic debut in 2020 and the growing status and profile of female surfers ahead of the first world tour boasting prize parity.

Steph Gilmore at Duranbah. a

Steph Gilmore is chasing an eighth world crown.

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“I have have been doing preparation along the way. Not competitions though. I kind of like the idea of being a little fluid,’’ Gilmore said.

“I’ve been paying attention to what I need to do and have the engine ready

“My body is really good. It feels strong and I feel ready to go.’’

Gilmore last year finished second to American Lakey Peterson in the world tour opener.

This season she is hoping to go one better for a record seventh win at the annual event at Snapper Rocks en-route to a record-breaking eighth world crown.

“I’m still getting nervous and that shows I am still excited about what I am doing on the world tour,’’ said Gilmore, who has regularly dismissed suggestions she will retire “any time soon’’.

When competition in the Boost Mobile Pro kick off Gilmore will tackle New Zealander Paige Hareb and a wildcard in heat one.

Fellow Australian Julian Wilson is pre-event favourite for the men’s event, the Quiksilver Pro.

Originally published as World traveller Stephanie Gilmore ready to rock in opening event of world surf tour