Gold Coast Pro Wildcards Announced
With three days until the waiting period begins, the wildcards for the Gold Coast Pro have been announced.
On the women's side, eight-time world champ Steph Gilmore makes a short return from retirement, accepting a one-off spot replacing Tatiana Weston-Webb.
"I’m definitely not as in tune with Burleigh as I am with Snapper," said Steph, "but it’s still a perfect right point, so I feel like it’s a spot that suits my style. It'll be cool to see everyone work out a new wave on tour."
Curiously, in Heat 2 of the Opening Round, Steph will go up against Luana Silva who accepted a season-long wildcard when Steph widthdrew from the 2025 tour.
Still with the women, Nadia Erostarbe will replace Johanne Defay, who has withdrawn from the remainder of the season while she prepares to welcome her first child.
Steph slotted at Snapper (WSL/Shield)
When Gabriel Medina hurt himself back in January it was hoped he'd be out for three contests. Unfortunately for viewers - yet fortunately for surfers aiming for the top five - Gabs will miss yet another contest. Ian Gentil will once again step into the breech, as he has for each contest this year. It may be Ian's last shot to produce a good finish and put himself above the cut line before he relinquishes the spot back to Gabs.
Jordy Lawler assumes Ramzi Boukhiam's spot after Ramzi injured himself in the Bells shorey. The WSL explain that Jordy gets the nod due to being "the third-highest-ranked Challenger Series surfer available and not already in the event."
Both Hiroto Ohhara and Mikey McDonagh finished ahead of Jordy, and neither are in the draw so we have to assume they're unavailable and/or injured.
Meanwhile, Bonsoy team-rider Callum Robson has been awarded the sponsor wildcard.
Lastly, one spot remains in both the men's and women's draw, and it'll go to the winners of the upcoming Trials event. Men's winner will take on LOB and Italo, women's will take on Gabby and Bella Kenworthy.
Comments
Did the kid from le back break his ankle at the abb ?
Is Gabs even gonna bother jumping back on this year?
We don’t need to see Ian G again do we?
What about some one fresh.
yea the WSL make some odd decisions from a marketing point. why not have Julian wilson, thatd for sure bring some more excitement and views to the comp. crazy not to have ellie harrison in it over nadia considering recent results
really, um no
my bad meant isabel nichols, not ellie harrison
Julian and Kerrzy in trials lad
Wow, that's interesting, I'm wondering how savage J w ,will be ?
I love the bizzare situation of Luana getting a season wildcard due to Steph's absence, then Steph getting a wildcard. It's almost Yes Minister logic.
Anyhoo, I hope Steph takes it seriously and give it a red hot go, not just shows up and smiles coyly.
Thought morgz would get a wildcard after bells ?
I hope Steve is frothing for the Steph vs Luana heat after his criticisms during Bells. I think this heat will really show if Lulu is the real deal or not. We all know Steph is pretty much retired, but she's a competitive little thing and she'll be in her backyard. Wouldn't be surprised if she wanted to make a statement or two here.
Pretty sure a replacement slot and a wildcard are two different things
Edit - which comes through in Stu's article
OK, then why is there not a surfer filling the replacement spot for Tati?
She's out for the season, so by the same logic that Luana gets the replacement slot for Steph and Ian Gentil gets the replacement slot for Gabe, Nadia gets the replacement slot for Defay, Ellie Harrison should be in as replacement for Tati?
Yes, no, maybe?
No.
And this is not my opinion but how the wsl logic works:
Luana received the season wildcard because Steph chose not to compete and did so before the start of the season.
Ian Gentil is the replacement for whoever is injured and lucky for him, Medina hasn’t reported back yet but he’s not a personal replacement for Medina for the season because Medina never stated he will be out for the complete season.
Same for Nadia. She’s the replacement surfer for the season. Whoever is out with injury, will be replaced by her. The wsl seems to view pregnancy as an injury.
Al Cleland received a season wildcard because JJF chose not to surf before the season started.
Tati, however, chose to withdraw after a couple of events and the wsl decided they’ll turn her spot into different wildcards every event. Had she withdrawn before the season, her spot would probably have been assigned to Nadia and Yolanda Hopkins would have been the replacement for the season.
Ellie Harrison was only 15th on the challenger series last season. There were 2 other Australian females ranked above her: Macy Callaghan and Bronte Macauly.
Macy probably did not receive the local wildcard because Steph took it. Maybe she will make it through the trials?
On a different note: does Bronte plan a comeback? I noticed she signed up for the 1st challenger event in Newcastle,
OK, cheers.
That makes a certain level of sense, at least.
At 3:46am too!
I think I’m the only person not happy to see Steph. These spots should go to hungry future competitors rather than the old crew. Steph has even said she isn’t tuned into Burleigh. You had your time so move along.
Just imo.
Nah I’m with you Roadkill. She’s taken the year off. Leave it that way. Put in one of the Gold Coasts up and coming girls. A Burleigh local if there’s one.
Couldn't agree more Roadkill . Steph has been an awesome competitor and ambassador for women's surfing . However I reckon the young'uns should be given every opportunity to shine .
Steph has enough exposure without doing this comp .
Opportunities are so scarce, in this current era, and Steph has already been granted 2 full years off and a fresh clock next year if she wants it.
IMO, they should have set up exhibition heats for her (like they did last year which was awesome), so we could get to watch her surf live but without taking the Wildcard opportunity off someone at the start of their career.
Disagree completely about 'you had your time, move along'. What logic is that based in? Is there an age limit and a success limit to how long someone is allowed to be in a competitive environment that they thrive in? I don't understand that, but like you said, each to their own opinion.
Do agree she probably should actually take a year off, and not sneak in wildcards off someone else.... since that was what she wanted....and she's lucky to be gifted the extra year off so maybe a good time to disappear. Go work on some competitive flaws and come back all guns blazing.
fuknoath, steph is a free and loose journeyman that has stick that even kelly doesn't - she floats above the need for tour how-do-you-dos and win validation, I reckon she's stoked with what she's done and where she's at... if the wsl loses her we'll follow her somewhere else, no doubt; wildcards are their last incentive to have drawcards hang about.. once wsl loses all the champs, the up and comers can have the whole fucking shebang to themselves, and pay for the privilege.
Yeah @base!!!! (*insert muscle and clapping emoji)
I mean, is Steph taking an opportunity off someone really..? half the time people say the money's gone, the women's side is a bit shit compared to the men's, chasing CT bad-luck skunk waves is a mug's game (good on you JJF! we chant).. and here's an Aussie champ, not even close to doing a Kelly in terms of hanging around, and people are saying 'nice job, time to move on, luv'?
I'd like to see a few more of the girls get to have years' long exchanges with their heroes, it's part of the sport's narrative in the men's.
Yeah that one always cracks me up @base. 'give the spot to a young up and comer'.
You're either x factor or you're not. Doesn't matter age.
If youre that good as a young up and comer you'll find a way regardless.
Meanwhile, Bonsoy team-rider Callum Robson.....What the????. Milk sponsor!!!!. there a side Hussle there for sure
C'mon! Are the crew suggesting Steph ain't taking her lead role on Tour Seriously...
Sunday Session : The Queen gets airborne to heat up the Burley Spiderbait gig
https://www.indailyqld.com.au/theweekendedition-goldcoast/culture/2025/…
wouldnt be a stream for the trials today would there? wonder if old mate will set up on the hill. anywhere you can see a heat draw for the trials too ?
I think the ATS crew are doing a live formguide stream from 1pm at Burleigh...or 3 pm. I always get confused with the timezones. Could b entertaining!
So Julian won the trials did he? Looks like he’s in the draw.
Yep, and Sophie McCulloch for the women.