World champ Stephanie Gilmore to visit Lennox Head
World champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore will visit Lennox Head on Friday, May 8, to help promote the All Girls Surf Showdown to be held in the Ballina Shire area on June 6, 7 and 8.
Gilmore, a former winner of the Showdown in various divisions in 2002, 2003 and 2004, will be in Lennox to raise the profile of girls’ and women’s surfing in the region.
She is filling in for original ‘ambassador’, former world champion Layne Beachley, who was pencilled in to make the trip but has had to withdraw.
Gilmore will attend a media conference and visit the local school.
She will also be available to the general public to meet and get her signature at 11.45am next to the Lennox Head Newsagency.
“With her very busy schedule, this will be one of the few chances to meet the best female surfer in the world who is an inspiration and a great role model to many youger girls,” Showdown organisers said.
Gilmore currently leads the ratings after winning the Roxy Gold Coast Pro and finishing second at Bells over Easter.
Meanwhile, the All Girls Surf Showdown turns 17 in 2009 with a revamped event program.
Former pro Jenny Boggis joins event co-founders Max Perrot and Kellie O’Brien in upgrading the event and bringing a fresh new look to the largest all-female surfing competition in Australasia.
The event is mobile within the Ballina Shire on the Queen’s birthday long weekend.
Total prizemoney of $4000 is up for grabs this year. The Southern Cross Credit Union Open Pro has $2500 in prizemoney.
Picture courtesy of ASP.
