HAPPY GILMORE

You may have read recently about Kelly Slater’s record-breaking 10^th world surfing title. It is a remarkable achievement. He won his first world title way back in 1992, at the age of 20, making him the youngest world champion ever. He has won his 10^th 18 years later at the age of 38, meaning he also holds the record as the oldest world champ ever. He has won a record 45 career events,  He has collected a record $2,384,255 in prize-money. As a bonus for his 10^th world title, his surfwear sponsor Quiksilver gave him 3% of the company, a stake currently valued at around US$22 million.

The US Congress recently passed a Bill honouring Kelly’s achievements.

But there is one record he doesn’t hold and that he will never take be able to take away from current, and four-time women’s world champ, Stephanie Gilmore. At just 22, Steph has won the world title in her first four seasons on the World Tour, a feat unmatched in the history of professional surfing – male or female. When Kelly was her age he’d just won his second world title. Who knows how many she might win before she’s done. Layne Beachley’s once unassailable seven world titles is already in her sights.

For all this, Steph remains the most unaffected, ever-smiling, and unflappable young woman you could ever hope to meet. She hails from the small coastal town of Kingscliff, in Northern NSW, and now resides in surf city, Coolangatta, on the Gold Coast. She’s a handy guitarist, even has the same guitar sponsor as surf muso Jack Johnson. She’s working on a creative lifestyle movie, featuring some of her favourite surfers, artists and musicians, exploring, “what’s going on in their heads while their doing their art.”  Tentative working title is, “Because It’s There.”

Amid all this, Steph made time to contribute a chapter to the Grommet edition of Mick Fanning’s book for us. Steph’s passionate about promoting women’s surfing, knows what it’s like to paddle into male-dominated lineups and hustle for her share of waves. She’s dealt with the stares and the caveman misogyny and silenced the jocks with her razor-sharp talents in the waves.

Steph’s advice is simple, practical and effective – find a break that’s less crowded, recruit a few surf buddies to help give you confidence, learn to read the waves and understand surfboard design. Hopefully, her words will launch a new generation of grommettes into the waves.

Steph wrapped up her fourth world title in Puerto Rico two weeks ago, and just took out the Cholo Women’s Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa.

You can follow all the Hawaiian contest action at:

http://www.triplecrownofsurfing.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmVPIJJm1vU