Surfing Legend Announces Full-Time Return
Australian surfing icon Stephanie Gilmore has officially confirmed she will make a dramatic full-time return to the World Surf League Championship Tour in 2026, setting the stage for an audacious bid to claim a record-extending ninth world title. The 37-year-old champion will end her two-year hiatus from the elite tour by accepting a wildcard entry, a path also taken by her long-time rival, Hawaiian surfer Carissa Moore, who is also planning a comeback after becoming a mother.
The Competitive Fire Still Burns
Gilmore's desire to compete at the highest level was reignited during a cameo appearance at this year's Gold Coast Pro. Reflecting on her experience, she revealed that the competitive drive that first propelled her onto the Championship Tour two decades ago is still powerfully alive. "I'm really excited that I've accepted the 2026 WSL Championship Tour season Wildcard," Gilmore stated. "The last few years, I've enjoyed time off to do some exploration and other things, but I'm looking forward to heading back to the CT in 2026, and seeing how I compete against the young talent on the tour."
She acknowledged the mental challenge of returning to a full-time competitive schedule after a period away. "I'm mostly excited just to see how I go in these challenges again," she admitted. "When you step away from competing full-time, you can really switch off, and it can be hard to get back into that headspace, but I'm excited to feel that energy and that challenge again. I'm definitely excited to get back to all of those locations."
A Champion's Pedigree and New Challenges
Gilmore's credentials for this ambitious comeback are undeniable. Her last world title victory came in 2022, a stunning achievement where she entered the Finals ranked fifth and then powered through with five dominant heat wins to lift the trophy. With a record 34 Championship Tour wins to her name, she has already proven her enduring class. During the Gold Coast Pro, the New South Wales surfer demonstrated she can still match the current generation by eliminating 2024 world champion Caitlin Simmers.
However, the path to a ninth title will not be easy. Gilmore will have to topple Australia's newest world champion, Molly Picklum, and a host of other young talents who have risen to prominence during her break. Her time away from the tour has been far from idle. Gilmore has filled the years with global surfing adventures, launching her own clothing collection, performing on stage with Australian band Spiderbait, and co-founding a tequila brand with four other female surfers.
Despite these diverse pursuits, Gilmore finds herself looking forward to the structure of the tour. "I've had incredible opportunities over the last few years, and it's actually been busier than I could have imagined," she said. "It will be nice to get back on tour and have a schedule mapped out for the year. It's been fun, but I'm looking forward to getting back into a bit more of a routine, so we'll see where that leads me."
Fans won't have to wait long to see her back in competition. Stephanie Gilmore is scheduled to make her official competitive return at the iconic Bells Beach in Victoria during April 2026, which will serve as the first stop on a freshly revamped World Surf League tour.
