Gold Coast Pro Wildcards Announced

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

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Still with the women, Nadia Erostarbe will replace Johanne Defay, who has withdrawn from the remainder of the season while she prepares to welcome her first child.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

Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean Wednesday, 30 Apr 2025 at 2:11pm

Did the kid from le back break his ankle at the abb ?

Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone's picture
Nick Bone Wednesday, 30 Apr 2025 at 4:51pm

Is Gabs even gonna bother jumping back on this year?

Moonah's picture
Moonah's picture
Moonah Wednesday, 30 Apr 2025 at 8:54pm

We don’t need to see Ian G again do we?
What about some one fresh.

wavie's picture
wavie's picture
wavie Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 5:43am

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

benjis babe's picture
benjis babe's picture
benjis babe Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 7:00am

really, um no

wavie's picture
wavie's picture
wavie Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 8:37am

my bad meant isabel nichols, not ellie harrison

lui's picture
lui's picture
lui Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 10:24am

Julian and Kerrzy in trials lad

Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 11:35am

Wow, that's interesting, I'm wondering how savage J w ,will be ?

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 6:38am

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.

12345678's picture
12345678's picture
12345678 Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 7:19am

Thought morgz would get a wildcard after bells ?

TH's picture
TH's picture
TH Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 8:00am

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.

belly's picture
belly's picture
belly Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 8:20am

Pretty sure a replacement slot and a wildcard are two different things
Edit - which comes through in Stu's article

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 8:41am

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?

Roadkill's picture
Roadkill's picture
Roadkill Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 11:52am

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.

Mexican's picture
Mexican's picture
Mexican Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 3:37pm

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.

PCS PeterPan's picture
PCS PeterPan's picture
PCS PeterPan Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 6:16pm

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 .

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 7:23pm

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.

southernraw's picture
southernraw's picture
southernraw Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 6:51pm

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.

basesix's picture
basesix's picture
basesix Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 7:16pm

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.

southernraw's picture
southernraw's picture
southernraw Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 7:22pm

Yeah @base!!!! (*insert muscle and clapping emoji)

basesix's picture
basesix's picture
basesix Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 8:28pm

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.

southernraw's picture
southernraw's picture
southernraw Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 8:50pm

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.

Elliedog's picture
Elliedog's picture
Elliedog Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 2:28pm

Meanwhile, Bonsoy team-rider Callum Robson.....What the????. Milk sponsor!!!!. there a side Hussle there for sure

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 7:46pm

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/2025/0...