The commencement of the 2024 Championship Tour at Pipeline is just five days away; a notable absence at the event will be female surfing GOAT Steph Gilmore.
Steph announced that she’ll be stepping away from the Championship Tour (CT) in 2024. The eight-time world champ shared these words on her Instagram this morning:
“I am planning to take this time as a refresh for myself physically, mentally, and enjoy following swells and free surfing in new places,” said Gilmore. “I have some projects and trips I want to do, which haven’t been possible while travelling during the season. I am still passionate and dedicated to competing, and I have goals and dreams that I am still chasing – I’m excited for this year to activate those and I look forward to returning in 2025.”
A cynical pundit might suggest this could be the end of Steph Gilmore on the Championship Tour. The 35-year-old may thoroughly enjoy retirement life in 2024 and decide not to come back, even though she has a wildcard for the 2025 season. While Steph chases swells and weaves across new waves in 2024, the GOAT may decide she is content with her eight world titles and hang up the comp jersey for good – And understandably so.
We presume the WSL office is in a state of commotion as Steph’s news drops three days after five-time world champ Carissa Moore announced she’s stepping away (maybe retiring) from the CT after this year’s Pipeline Pro.
Brazil’s Luana Silva will be Steph’s replacement on Tour, while Sunshine Coast’s Sophie McCulloch will take Carissa’s spot.
These retirement/ break announcements by surfing’s greats are spreading like wildfire. Carissa first, Steph second – is 51-year-old Kelly Slater next? Steph and Carissa’s bold exit strategies may well be cause for rumination as Kelly warms up for the 2024 Pipe Pro. However, it’s more conceivable that Kelly will wait till the mid-year cut and assess his situation. Another win at Pipe is likely to awaken the competitive beast and inspire Kelly to challenge for another title.
In any case, the absence of Steph and Carissa throws the door wide open for the other women on tour. Hopefully, we will have some waves for the Pipeline Pro (the forecast looks promising), with the waiting period kicking off on Jan 29.
Women’s 2024 CT surfers
Caroline Marks (USA)
Carissa Moore (HAW) * (Will step away after the Pipeline Pro)
Tyler Wright (AUS)
Caitlin Simmers (USA)
Molly Picklum (AUS)
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)* (Withdrawn from the 2024 CT season)
Lakey Peterson (USA)
Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
India Robinson (AUS)
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Sawyer Lindblad (USA)
Alyssa Spencer (USA)
Sophie McCulloch* (AUS) (Wildcard replacement)
Luana Silva * (BRA) (Wildcard replacement)
