Stephanie Gilmore : photo ASP/Pierre Tostee

Rip Curl Team News

STEPH GILMORE SIGNS LUCRATIVE 5-YEAR RIP CURL DEAL

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 August, 2005 : - - International Surfing Company Rip Curl is stoked to announce that Stephanie Gilmore – the Gold Coast teenage surfer who earlier this year become the youngest ever winner of a women’s World Championship Tour competition – has today signed a lucrative 5-year sponsorship contract. 

Continuing the relationship that began when Steph was just 12 years old, the new performance-based Sponsorship Agreement has the potential to provide the now 17-year-old with a seven-figure income over the term of the contract. 

In March this year, Steph stunned the international surfing community when she achieved the extraordinary feat of winning the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour (WCT) competition at Snapper Rocks only five weeks after her 17th birthday – in the process trumping America’s four-time world champion Frieda Zamba as the youngest winner of a women’s WCT event. 

The fact that Steph posted that historic victory in her first WCT competition and along the way defeated reigning world champion Sofia Mulanovich and six-time world champion Layne Beachley speaks volumes about the Kingscliff teenager’s enormous potential. For Rip Curl, Steph’s March triumph at her home break was confirmation of a view the company has long held – that this young woman clearly has the ability and potential to become one of surfing’s greatest champions. 

Having won the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Junior Title in Tahiti in December 2004, immediately after claiming the Australian Junior Title, and on top of her three consecutive years among the top five females under 20 years old in the ASP Australasia Junior Series, Steph’s outstanding competitive record to date, her clearly remarkable ability and fantastic attitude are an extremely solid foundation for a long-term professional career. 

The new Sponsorship Agreement sees Steph exclusively endorsing Rip Curl’s Surfwear (clothing), Wetsuits, Footwear and Accessories, and from January 1st 2006 Rip Curl Eyewear. 

Only months away from finishing high school, a beaming Steph said of the new contract: “I think it’s awesome and I’m just so happy. I’ve been with Rip Curl for five years and it’s like I’m a part of the family now. A contract like this really shows how far women’s surfing has come in the past few years and I’m so happy to be part of that, so I’d really like to thank Rip Curl for their support.”

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) president, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew has been watching Steph surf since she started as a nine-year-old and was on hand for today’s signing, making the following comments: “When Steph beat the world champion Sofia Mulanovich (in the first round of the first WCT event of the year at Snapper), I thought that was pretty cheeky. As the event went on, I just got this feeling that something special was happening, and it turned out to be a stunning win. 

“From an ASP perspective, Steph’s win gave me the feeling that someone special had arrived. There’s no doubt about it, since she was about 12, I’ve thought she’s on her way to the pro ranks, and there is a lot of potential, but I’m always loathe to say any surfer is going to be a world champion because world titles are very hard to win. 

Stephanie Gilmore Indonesia June 2005 : photo Simon Williams/Rip Curl

“Steph is definitely at the leading edge of a new generation and she will be the leader of that generation. It’s obviously a very exciting time for her personally, but also for women’s surfing generally and it’s on the move and we need our superstars coming through,” Rabbit said. 

Current men’s world number four and fellow Rip Curl team member Mick Fanning was also on hand today, and he said: “I’ve known Steph for quite a few years now, I’ve seen her happy face out here (at Snapper Rocks) a lot. I wasn’t really that surprised by her win (in March) – anybody who has seen her surf Snapper would probably say the same thing. She just looked a step above all the other girls in that event and I think she’s got a really big future, she is going to go a long way.” 

Rip Curl International Team Manager Gary Dunne said: “Having been involved with Steph since she was 12, her successes over the past year are a great realisation of some of her potential. Next year will be a new challenge for Steph, as she embarks on her first World Qualifying Series campaign, but we’re very confident she will cope with that just as well as she has dealt with her progression through the junior ranks. Most importantly, we’re extremely happy that she will continue to represent Rip Curl for at least the next five years.” 

Rip Curl International Marketing Manager Neil Ridgway said of the signing: “Steph is a raw talent streets ahead of the pack. She’s already got great competitive nous and on top of it, a terrific personality – she’s a rare gem and we’re absolutely stoked to be involved with her!” 

Recently-appointed Rip Curl International Female Team Development Manager Kate Skarratt, (a sports science graduate and formerly a world top 10 competitor herself) said: “I’ve known Steph for about three years now and have become great friends with her. She has a wonderful energy that is carried through into her surfing. She has an exceptional style and ability for her age and outstanding potential as a competitor.” 

Ms Skarratt continued: “What stands out for me is Steph’s flow, combined with her sharp explosive presence on the wave. She is great to watch and will be a huge threat to the world title as soon as she begins the tour. Steph’s relaxed and fun personality are only two of her many great qualities that are not only a breath of fresh air, but I believe will potentially aid in her endeavors as a professional surfer. 

Having been in her new role for three months now, Ms Skarratt added: “I’m really enjoying working with Rip Curl. The Rip Curl girls are extremely talented surfers and I’m in an exciting position to watch their development and to help in enhancing their performance. It’s a new and extremely professional approach towards women's surfing and reveals Rip Curl’s dedication to their female team members. I wish this level of professionalism was on hand to me when I competed. This job makes me all the more passionate about providing guidance to the girls that will help them achieve their goals faster and with more ease.” 

ABOUT RIP CURL:
In the beginning, Rip Curl was the vehicle for the perfect lifestyle – a never-ending search by two surfing mates for great waves, adventure and the fun that inevitably follows. Back in 1967, two Australian surfing mates – Brian Singer and Doug Warbrick – were living in the sleepy coastal town of Torquay, Victoria, and decided they wanted to surf as much as possible. To help do that, they started making surfboards. 

Over the 38 years since 1967, Rip Curl has grown from humble beginnings to be a truly international surfing company – second to none with its range of innovative, functional, durable and stylish products designed by surfers for surfers, and available in more than 50 countries across the globe. Along with surfboards and wetsuits, the Rip Curl product range has expanded to include surfwear (casual clothes for boys and girls, men and women), accessories (unique surf watches, travel bags, backpacks and wallets), mountainwear (protective outerwear for snowboarding and skiing), footwear (shoes) and eyewear (sunglasses). 

Rip Curl is not alone in being founded by surfers and being run by surfers. Other companies around the world have similar goals and aspirations, similar histories of involvement with the sport and spirit of surfing.And yet there is only one Rip Curl – only one company coloured with that fine madness that is almost indefinable. That fine madness you tend to associate with the hoot of stoke you might yell on emerging from a barrelling wave – your spirit soaring as it spits you from its bowels to the safety of green water and blue sky! Rip Curl... The Surfing Company.

www.ripcurl.com

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Rip Curl Team Manager Gary Dunne
gdunne@ripcurl.com.au

Team News - Surfersvillage