New Generation (2007-2015)
With Layne Beachley retiring as the greatest female surfer
of all time, it was only a matter of time before the next
generation wrote their own history. The writing was on the
wall when Beachley invited a young Stephanie Gilmore
to compete at the Beachley Classic in Dee Why in 2006,
as a wildcard. The 18 year-old promptly consigned the
seven-time world champion to runner-up at her own event,
signalling the beginning of her dominance in women’s
professional surfing. A new champion was emerging, and
she had no hesitation in showing the former one what the
future looked like. In seven head-to-head heats between
the two greatest surfers of all time, Gilmore has never lost,
winning four semi-finals and three finals against Beachley
between 2005 and 2008. This was the new generation,
and Gilmore was the face of it.
Steph Gilmore began her run of four straight world titles
in her rookie year of 2007, winning 15 of 31 contests in
this period – nobody even came close. The next three
world titles proved a little trickier, coming over a period of
eight years, with the last in 2018, equalling Beachley’s all-
time record. Injuries, combined with an attack at her home
in 2010, stalled her momentum, and following the arrival
of Hawaiian Carissa Moore onto the pro circuit, Gilmore
had a tougher climb back to the top. Her hard work and
versatility has paid off, and she currently holds the record
for most contest wins in pro-surfing history with 30, the
most in a single country with 13 in Australia, the most at
a single location, 6 at Snapper Rocks, and at the time ofAGUIBO
One of the fiercest
surfers in the
world, Kennelly
has continued to
make history on
the Big Wave Tour
Keala Kennelly, Peahi, Hawaii.