Stephanie Louise Gilmore (born 29 January 1988)[1] is an Australian professional surfer and eight-time world champion on the Women's WSL World Tour (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2022).
Career
Of Scottish descent, Gilmore's life as a surfer began at age nine when she stood on a bodyboard. By age 17 she was entering world tour events as a wild card competitor, which paid off with a victory at the 2005 Roxy Pro Gold Coast.[2] In her next season she won another wild card event, the 2006 HavaianasBeachley Classic.[3] Gilmore's success on the WQS (World Qualifying Series) tour qualified her for the 2007 Women's ASP World Tour and she did not disappoint. She won four of the eight events and claimed the 2007 World Title. She would repeat her success in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2018.[4]
Gilmore is currently the top athlete on the ROXY Surf Team.[4] In 2014, Gilmore starred in a feature-length documentary titled Stephanie in the Water.[8]
Although the 2007 season was Gilmore's rookie year, she captured the Foster's ASP Women's World Title. She won three events in 2007 to enter the final event of the season, the Billabong Pro Maui, ranked in first place; when the other contenders - former world champion Sofia Mulanovich and sophomore Silvana Lima - bowed out before her, she won the title.[10]
In December 2010, she was attacked outside her home in New South Wales Australia, by a man with a metal bar. She ended up in the hospital with cuts to the head and a broken wrist.[12]
