CNN —Surfing is about to experience a seismic change in 2024 as two of the standard-bearers of the sport are stepping away from the board and waves. Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore is taking a break from competitive surfing – for a year, at least. Australian Gilmore, widely regarded as the greatest female surfer of all time, announced that she won’t be competing in the 2024 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour season, instead focusing on enjoying other things in life. Carissa Moore still plans to compete in Oahu and Tahiti for the Olympics before stepping away from the sport for good. Ryan Pierse/Getty Images/File“All those wins, the competitive part that’s so much of my identity, I’m taking that away, and I’m facing myself this year,” Moore told the Times.

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Persons: Stephanie Gilmore, Australian Gilmore, “, ” Gilmore, haven’t, –, Carissa Moore, ”, Gilmore, Moore, Ryan Pierse, ” Moore Organizations: CNN, League, USA, Paris, New York Times, Times Locations: Australian, Oahu, Tahiti, Shore