Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore has aborted a planned return to professional surfing World Championship Tour and will be joined on the sidelines by reigning men’s world No.1 John John Florence in 2025.
Gilmore took a professional sabbatical last season after almost two straight decades on tour, but had been expected to return at next week’s Pipeline Pro in Hawaii.
The 36-year-old, whose eight world titles are the most by any woman in history, had been active in the media as recently as last month ahead of her anticipated comeback, but will instead now take another year off.
“After careful consideration, I’ve decided to take another season away from the WSL tour,” Gilmore said on Wednesday morning.
“This time will allow me to focus on healing 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.”
Gilmore had been expected to be a leading challenger of surfing’s new generation – led by 19-year-old world champion Caity Simmers, Australian Molly Picklum and Canadian prodigy Erin Brookes – given the retirement of her regular sparring partner Caroline Marks last year.
Stephanie Gilmore celebrates her record eighth world title in 2022.Credit: Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League
Gilmore’s 2024 ‘gap year’ saw her release her own clothing collection with new sponsor Ripcurl after signing an eight-year deal that ranks as one of the most lucrative in Australian surfing history, and feature as a key figure in the company’s famed ‘Search’ project – where select surfers traverse the globe chasing far-flung waves.
Throughout 2024 she spoke often of thoroughly enjoying her first break from competitive surfing in 17 years, but still felt the itch when tuning in to every WCT event.
“I was like ‘man, I wish I was there, what am I doing?’” she said recently on the Howie Games podcast.
“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. it also made me think, ‘Huh, maybe I could win nine [world titles]’.”
Both Gilmore and Florence have been granted 2026 season wildcards, allowing them to return to the WCT next year without navigating the usual gruelling qualifying process for surfing’s top tier of competition.
Florence’s call to take a year off throws the men’s 2025 draw wide open. The three-time awaiian world champion had been early favourite to defend his title, but he too will take a sabbatical in a similar theme to Gilmore at age 32.
“I’ve decided to focus on surfing in a different way this year,” Florence said.
“I want to create the time to explore, find new waves, and draw different lines. I intend to compete full on for another world title in 2026, but right now this idea of adventure and creatively pushing my surfing as far as possible is really exciting.”
Florence’s withdrawal, along with a pec injury to Brazilian star Gabriel Medina, was followed by confirmation of Kelly Slater being granted a wildcard to compete at Pipeline.
Now 52, the most successful professional surfer of all time recorded his most recent WCT victory at the same historic wave in 2022, just days shy of his 50th birthday. Brazilian champion Filipe Toledo also returns to competition after taking 2024 off citing mental health issues.
