Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore marked her 2026 comeback with a home win at the Gold Coast Pro at Snapper Rocks on Monday, as Ethan Ewing took the men's event for an Australian double.
Gilmore, 38, held off Brazil's Luana Silva in the final, posting a dominant 9.5 in the second run to secure victory. The 'Queen of Snapper Rocks' had taken two years off for free surfing and other projects, losing early in her first two events back.
"I really didn't think I was going to win a contest this year," Gilmore said. "I wanted to push myself. I wanted to feel that feeling like, 'Can you do it?'"
Gilmore defeated 2024 champion Caitlin Simmers in the quarterfinal and Spanish rookie Nadia Erostarbe in the semifinal. Silva rises to world number one as the tour heads to New Zealand for the fourth of 13 events.
On the men's side, Ethan Ewing used a buzzer-beating 9-point ride to win his semifinal against Liam O'Brien. In the final, his smooth forehand carves scored 8.33, topping Connor O'Leary's 7.67 for a 14.56 total to 14.17 win.
"It's been such a big goal of mine, because it's like an hour away from home," Ewing said. "This has been at the top of the list to win."