Steph Gillmore

If someone told little 16 year old tomboy Sammy, that I’d be interviewing the person on the cover of Monster Children Issue 36 when I grew up, I’d have to lay down on the grass to calm down for a minute or four. For some people interviewing a musician or an actor might be the highlight of their career, but for me it is Steph. There is no one I look up to more. Stephanie Gilmore is actually the reason why I picked up a Monster Children magazine all those years ago, and probably surfing for that matter. Seeing her on the cover in a time when females rarely made it cemented her in a league that few had ever been. She bridged the gap of 

how so many boys perceive females athletes and did it with more style than anyone on the planet. She didn’t just become the best female surfer. She is the best. Period. Sometimes when you do finally meet your heroes, the fantasy is tarnished a little. Maybe they say something a little off or try a joke that doesn’t land. Steph? Still the most grounded, coolest, intelligent, wonderful humans absolutely everyone says she is. In fact, even better. Steph has played an enormous part in Monster Children, surfing and women as a whole. What reads below is a pure fan girl moment from one significantly less talented boardshort wearing Goldy grommet to another.