Surfing's world tour may not miss Stephanie Gilmore like it will John John Florence

What impact will the simultaneous absence of two top surfers have on the sport? Will the World Surf League's events lose their luster? Or will this provide an opportunity for a new generation of athletes to shine? These questions are about to be answered.

This week, the World Tour kicks off in Hawaii, but we won't see Stephanie Gilmore. The Australian, who has won a record eight world titles, is the most decorated female surfer in the history of the sport. This will be her second consecutive year missing the surfing "dream tour." The 36-year-old Gilmore stated that she is stepping away to "shift her energy towards continuing to explore surf adventures around the globe."

On the other hand, the current world champion, John John Florence, will also be absent from the competition, although he will participate in the first event of the year at Pipeline. Afterwards, the three-time world champion seems to be embarking on a similar journey to Gilmore. "I want to create time to explore, find new waves, and draw different lines," Florence said.

Nick Carroll, a veteran surf magazine editor, documentary maker, and brother of two-time world champion Tom Carroll, believes that the absence of these two athletes, one more surprisingly than the other, is significant. "It's a bit of a coincidence, but it's certainly tricky," he said. "I guess people will be looking and thinking, 'Wait, why aren't these great surfers competing? What's going on?'" Carroll stated that the fierce competition in the women's division means that Gilmore's absence has not diminished the appeal of last year's competition.

Californian surfer Caitlin Simmers, who won the 2024 world title, declared at the start of the season that "Pipeline is for the girls." This was a landmark call for the teenager who has just established dominance at one of the world's most dangerous surf spots. Additionally, Texan teenager Erin Brooks will also be starting her rookie season, having won the tour event in Fiji last year. "There are a bunch of really hot young girls and women coming onto the tour right now, and they really led the charge last year," Carroll said. "It doesn't seem to have affected anyone's interest in the competition that Stephanie isn't there."

Nevertheless, this does not diminish Gilmore's achievements. Carroll stated that fans and her sponsors alike enjoy watching her surf outside of competition. "Man, she's so good, she's the GOAT," he said. "I don't know if people expect the same of Stephanie as they do of John Florence." Carroll believes that in competitive surfing, the defending champion is always very important. "Unless you're injured or somehow incapacitated, or you're at the end of your career, or you've just fluke-won a world title," he said. "But that's not the case with John. He's at the peak of his career."

This kind of break is not unprecedented. 11-time world champion Kelly Slater also took some time off after winning five consecutive titles from 1994 to 1998. He will also be competing at Pipeline this week, at the age of 52. "I don't think people's expectations of [Slater] were affected when he just said, 'I just need a break, right?' And you know what? Honestly, maybe people were a bit tired of him at that point too," Carroll said. He stated that the situation is different for the 32-year-old Florence – who, like Gilmore, started on the tour as a teenager. "It's different. I don't think anyone's tired of John Florence. He's an amazing surfer. He's the best in the world," Carroll said.

One of Florence's biggest rivals, Gabriel Medina, is also expected to miss most of this year's competition due to injury. This could open the door for two Australian male surfers – Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing. Carroll stated that Robinson, from Western Australia, will thrive in the big waves of this year's tour, while Ewing, from Queensland, is "the most perfect, beautiful surfer. His style is impeccable." They have been contenders in recent years during a low point for Australian men's world titles.

It has been over a decade since the last Australian man won a surfing world title – the longest drought since the World Tour was established. While Carroll believes there will be no questions about the women's competition in 2025, the men's division might have an asterisk. "Whichever great male surfer stays in the competition, whichever one of them wins the world title – if it's their first, if it's their only one – there will be a little asterisk next to it," Carroll said. "You know, that surfer has to work through his own internal label of, 'Damn, I wish John was there.'"