GOAT Stephanie Gilmore and reigning champ Florence won’t surf in 2025

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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, believed to be worth at least $6 million in total, and feature as a key figure in the company’s famed ‘Search’ project – where select surfers traverse the globe chasing far-flung waves.

Florence’s call to take a year off, meanwhile, throws the men’s 2025 draw wide open. The three-time Hawaiian 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.

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