STEPH UP FOR J-BAY
Not even sharks deter Gilmore as women return to J-Bay
SURFING champion Stephanie Gilmore says she has fallen in love with the infamous J-Bay venue she has dreamt of surfing her entire life and could help deliver her a seventh world crown – sharks and all.
Even the very real prospect of sharks forcing officials to put the women’s event on hold as it has done in the men’s event this week hasn’t dampened Gilmore’s enthusiasm for the South African venue at which women will surf in competition for the first time in nearly two decades.
“It is raw here, so much wildlife,” she said.
“Sharks are something you think about. There have been schools of fish and mullets. You have to pay attention to what is around you.
“It’s one of those things. A few people have been bumped but nothing too crazy. They are just swimming by.
“There is a lot of food around here. They are not hunting humans.”
Gilmore said World Surf League officials had helped allay the fears of surfers preparing for the event by providing extra surveillance during free surfing sessions.
“Now, during our free surf, when surfers do feel a little edgy in the morning and afternoon when it gets a little creepy, they have put up extra hours of drones,” she said.
J-Bay is the site of the shark attack on Gold Coast champion Mick Fanning in 2015.
Officials put the men’s event on hold on Wednesday when a great white shark cruised through the competition area.
Earlier this year, they were forced to cancel the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia early due to sharks.
“I do think the WSL handled it well in WA. I have never felt unsafe during an event,” Gilmore said.
The Tweed Heads star goes into the women’s event at J-Bay, which could start as early as today, trailing world No.1 Lakey Peterson from the US by less than a heat win.
Six-time world champion Gilmore is having one of her most consistent seasons in recent years after being pipped for the last world crown by compatriot Tyler Wright.
The Australian believes the women’s tour is ready to put on a show in J-Bay.
“This is a special place and we can’t wait to compete,” Gilmore said.
“The women have really stepped up in terms of high performance.”
Gilmore will take on fellow Australians Nikki Van Dijk and Macy Callaghan when competition begins.