Steph’s start a bit off tune
STEPH Gilmore has suffered a bizarre injury scare on the eve of her quest to become the most successful female surfer of all time.
The Gold Coast surfer and keen muso, who last year equalled fellow Aussie Layne Beachley’s record of seven world titles, dropped an electric guitar on her left foot last week.
The injury has restricted her final preparation for the World Surf League championship tour season-opener, the Boost Mobile Pro, due to start at her home break, Snapper Rocks, today.
“It’s not broken but the nail’s pretty dead and it’s been pretty sore to surf on,” she said yesterday, her big toe in a bandage.
“I haven’t been surfing too much but it should be OK. It’s just about strapping it up and pushing through the pain. It’s not broken so I can’t do any more damage.
“I know all the other girls are fighting fit and ready to go and this is a little setback.”
Gilmore, who has rocked with the likes of Jimmy Buffett, the Foo Fighters and the Sunnyboys, tested the dodgy toe in an ‘expression session’ alongside young female fans at Duranbah yesterday.
The event for girls aged eight to 16 was part of the WSL’s Rising Tide program to encourage more females to surf.
It’s a watershed year for the sport as women and men will receive equal prizemoney for the first time.
“It’s empowering. I never thought it would happen in my career,” said Sally Fitzgibbons at the surf clinic.
Gilmore has her sights set on becoming the first women’s eight-time world champion and closing in on Kelly Slater’s record 11 men’s titles. “It’s really an honour to sit alongside Layne but I’m competitive and I’d love to win some more,” she said.