Why Stephanie Gilmore should be every young woman’s role model

SHE’S a five-time world champion, has 208,000 Instagram followers, dabbles in modelling and is about to release a film — but you wouldn’t know it from talking to Stephanie Gilmore.

Why she should be your role model

“NEVER underestimate yourself. Work hard. We only have one body so make sure you look after it and treat it well. No dream is too big, find a way to succeed. And have fun! You can’t take anything too seriously.”

That’s the advice world class surfer Stephanie Gilmore has for the girls of today — and it sure is refreshing.

The five-time world champion dabbles in modelling, has 208,000 Instagram followers and is about to release a documentary about her achievements to date — but you wouldn’t know it from talking to her. On the press circuit ahead of the release of her documentary Stephanie in the Water, the 26-year-old surfing sensation is unaffected by her fame, describing the doco simply as “pretty special to me.”

“It’s a portrait documentary shot during a really important and exciting part of my career. The film’s director Ava Warbrick and myself met four years ago and became friends, and throughout the filming process I let her into the world as much as possible. You see me competing, dealing with drama, trying to win world titles. It’s a very intimate fly on the wall type of film. It tells a story. And there are some beautiful surfing scenes!”

Stephanie in a scene from film Stephanie in the Water.

Ms Gilmore is also gearing up for the release of two new ranges for Roxy, which called for her to swap the surf for some sultry. But there’s no airs and graces here — she brushes off cover girl as gig “awesome, because I’ll have some cool photos to look back on.”

“In my eyes, Roxy is the most iconic female surfing brand ever, and they continue to push female surfing and draw attention to just how cool female surfing is. So for that reason, I’m really excited to be involved with Roxy and all of the new summer lines.”

Ms Gilmore quips that one of the benefits of being the face of Roxy is “getting to know what works for your body.

“It’s cool when you start to understand your body and what works best for you, whether it’s clothes or bikinis or wetsuits. My shape is athletic so I’m always looking for things that make me look a little more curvy and feminine. I’ve realised I love high waisted stuff. I think being comfortable and confident are so important.”

Stephanie Gilmore for Roxy.

Ms Gilmore also rates being healthy high on the list of things that are important, and of course, spends as much time as she can surfing.

“It’s such a great exercise and a lot of fun,” she says. “It’s way better than running around a gym staring out the windows! But I know not everyone can hang at a beach all day, sometimes I can’t either. I always make sure I’m walking around, and if I’m travelling or not near the water I practise at being a tourist, always keeping on moving. I do some swimming stuff at home, I love being in the water. And then stretching, yoga and pilates, going out dancing with my friends — fun stuff. And you can’t just lie on the beach in summer! You’ve got to get up and into the water, grab a surfboard, get active.

“I’m pretty relaxed when it comes to my diet, but I understand the importance of fuelling your body. For me it’s about being hydrated, eating fresh foods, fresh fish and salads, the lighter stuff. As long as you’re hydrated and saying active, having some chocolate and wine at the end of the day is OK.”

Stephanie Gilmore for Roxy.

And while Ms Gilmore seems as if she’s got all the time in the world to chat, she’s actually gearing up for another surfing competition.

“The last event on the ASP World Tour is coming up at the end of November, so I’ll be trying to win the world title,” she says. “It’ll be my sixth if I win! It’s going to be a really exciting event, hopefully we get good waves.

“When you don’t get good waves it’s like showing up to a tennis match and the tennis court doesn’t want to play. Or going to a basketball game and there’s no ring. It’s very frustrating! But it’s part of surfing, that’s why we love it. I have pinch me moments every day, that I even get paid to do this. I have the best job in the world.”

Stephanie In The Water, directed by Ava Warbrick.

Stephanie In The Water premieres tonight at United Cinemas, Warriewood. More: www.stephanieinthewater.com