Gilmore's Return, Nazare Roars & DSA Joy
The surf world just got a serious shot of adrenaline with three stories that'll make you grab your board—or camera. First up, surfing royalty is back: eight-time world champ Steph Gilmore's announcing her return to the Championship Tour in 2026 after a two-year hiatus. The 37-year-old legend's chasing a record ninth title against rivals half her age, starting her comeback at Bells Beach next April. 'I'm excited to feel that energy again,' Gilmore told Nine's Today, adding that she's pumped to test herself against the new generation of chargers like Molly Picklum and Erin Brooks. You can get the full details right here.
While Gilmore's prepping for competitive glory, the big wave crew's already making noise in Portugal. Nazare's 25/26 season kicked off with three days of absolute mayhem—20-to-40-foot walls of water where tow surfers, foilers, and paddle-in chargers all went for broke. As Surf News Network captured, it's pure chaos meets poetry in motion. For photographers, it's a masterclass in capturing both terror and triumph when mother ocean decides to turn on the power. Just imagine the shots from those sessions!
And on a completely different note of pure surfing love, 150 volunteers gathered at Mollymook Beach to help the Disabled Surfers Association spread some serious joy. These everyday heroes spent Saturday morning helping 50 surfers with disabilities catch their first waves—some had never touched a board before. As Grace Hamilton wrote in the Illawarra Mercury, 'every salty mouthful of water was worth it' when you see the smiles lighting up the lineup. It's a beautiful reminder why we all paddle out in the first place—shared stoke, no limits. You can read more about this inspiring day over at the Illawarra Mercury.
From the CT's biggest comeback to the world's heaviest waves to the most inclusive lineup sessions—these stories show why surfing's more than just a sport. It's community, it's courage, and it's chasing whatever wave calls your name. Keep those cameras ready and those boards waxed—the ocean's serving up something special this season.