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Durban’s surfers are among the world’s best, and local longboarder, Christy Gilmour (25), is proving this by qualifying for the prestigious World Longboard Tour and the ISA World Longboard Championships.
For the Durban surfer, the moment was emotional and years in the making. Recalling the moment she won the World Surf League Africa Longboard Qualifying Series 1000 at the Surf Emporium SA Longboard Championship at Jeffreys Bay earlier this month, she said:
“Wow, I was definitely nervous, but I knew I just needed one more wave and to do everything I could on that wave to get the score I needed.”
Now, she’s preparing to take on some of the world’s best surfers across four international tour stops spanning California, Australia, the Philippines and El Salvador.
Christy’s World Longboard Tour Schedule
- Huntington, California: 25 to 29 July 2026
- Bells Beach, Australia: 25 to 29 November 2026
- La Union, Philippines: 20 to 24 January 2027
- El Sunzal, El Salvador: 13 to 21 March 2027
She has also qualified for the ISA World Longboard Championships in El Salvador from 13 to 19 November 2026.
But while qualifying is a massive achievement, competing on the international circuit comes at a cost. Gilmour estimates she will need to raise between R400 000 and R450 000 to compete across the self-funded tour.
A Durban surfing story years in the making
Gilmour has been surfing since she was just six years old, growing up in a family where the ocean was always part of life.
“The journey to get to where I am today has not been easy,” she says. “Looking back, all the challenges financially and physically have been so worth it.”
One of her standout moments came at just 17 years old, when she won both the Under-18 and Open Ladies divisions at the South African Championships in Durban, surfing at her home break.
“I only managed to get another win last year at 25 years old in the Open Ladies. It was a long eight years of fighting to get back to the top, but I learnt a lot over those years.”
Durban’s beaches shaped her style
Gilmour credits Durban’s coastline and surfing community for helping shape her approach to longboarding.
“Durban has been a great playground to explore the art of longboarding with our beautiful beaches, warm water and great community,” she says. “The support in and out of the water since I was young has always been incredible.
“I am most excited about the experiences I am going to have on the tour and just getting the opportunity to showcase my style and my passion for surfing on the world stage.”
Among her surfing inspirations is current World Longboard Champion Rachel Tilly, who Gilmour once competed against at Mexilog Fest.
Away from the waves, Gilmour also enjoys sewing and drawing illustrations, balancing creativity on land with performance in the water.
For young surfers dreaming of competing professionally, her advice is simple: “Give it everything you’ve got and even when you think you’ve got nothing more to give, keep pushing. Remember your ‘why’ and keep striving towards that.”
Follow or help Christy’s journey
If you’d like to help Christy make it to the World Longboard Surf Tour, you can contribute to her BackaBuddy campaign. Otherwise, keep updated on Christy’s surfing journey by following her on Instagram @christygilmour.
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