Who is Stephanie Gilmore?
Stephanie Gilmore is an Australian professional surfer who has won eight women's world surfing titles, a record. She won her first title in 2007 as a rookie on the championship tour.
Gilmore was born in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, in 1988 and grew up on the Gold Coast at Kingscliff and Coolangatta. She started surfing as a child.
She entered the women's championship tour in 2007 and won the world title in her first full season, an extraordinary achievement. She went on to win four consecutive titles from 2007 to 2010.
Record eighth title
Gilmore won further world titles in 2012, 2014 and 2018. In 2022, she won her eighth title, breaking the record of seven held jointly with fellow Australian Layne Beachley.
Known for her smooth, stylish surfing, she is one of the most admired athletes in the sport. She also competed for Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, when surfing made its Olympic debut.
Gilmore has been involved in campaigns for equal prize money for women in surfing. In 2010, she was attacked by a stranger with a metal bar near her home, but she recovered and continued her career.
Did You Know?
Gilmore has won major events at famous breaks such as Snapper Rocks and Bells Beach.