Eight-time world champ Steph Gilmore taking second season off World Surf League

Eight-time world surfing champ Steph Gilmore is taking a second season off the world tour despite teasing recently that winning “nine” had entered her thoughts.

Reigning men’s champion Jon Jon Florence also dropped a bomb on the eve of the opening event of the World Surf League in Hawaii, declaring he would copy Gilmore and take a year off the tour in 2025.

Gilmore opted out of competing on the tour in 2024 and the 36-year-old surfing great said she wanted to “focus on healing from some lingering injuries” in 2025

But Gilmore is not done and will receive the 2026 season wildcard, which will allow her to compete next year and bid for a record ninth world title.

“After careful consideration, I’ve decided to take another season away from the WSL tour,” Gilmore.

“This time will allow me to focus on healing from some lingering injuries and redirect my energy toward continuing my adventures of surfing around the globe. I’m deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my sponsors, and I wish all the athletes on tour the best of luck this season!”

On a recent edition of the Howie Games podcast, Gilmore said she spent her year off touring the world but also watching every event, and it was clear she still wanted to compete.

“I was like man, I wish I was there, what am I doing?” she said.

“It was an interesting feeling, but I liked it, because I must still want to do it.

“If I still want to be there then there’s something inside of me that enjoys that desire of competition and trying to push yourself. It was a good feeling.

“But it also made me think, ‘Huh, maybe I could win nine’.

“My whole career I have had such a joy when I surf. Even if it is in the jersey. It’s a pure love for what I’m doing, and I enjoy the challenge.”

Surfing legend Kelly Slater has also bucked talk of retirement, taking a wildcard in to this week’s event at Pipeline where young gun Molly Picklum as well as Olympian Tyler Wright, Isabella Nichols and veteran star Sally Fitzgibbons will all be in the line-up flying the Australian flag.