One of the most competitive Australian surfers of recent years, one of the few who has braved the Brazilian storm, Julian Wilson, announced his intentions to return to competition according to a post he made on Instagram.

Wilson hopes to secure a wildcard spot for the 2025 Challenger Series, aiming for a spot in the 2026 CT. “I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he says.

The Australian left the world tour three years ago and one of his last competitions was at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Wilson reflects on this in his post: “Three years ago, I was sitting in a hotel quarantine room after my Olympic campaign in Tokyo, watching my dream as a world tour surfer fade away as I returned home to be the best partner and father I could be during a very mentally challenging time.”

“I don’t regret my decision for a second and I love my wife and family very much. Nothing in life compares to a healthy relationship at home and the opportunity to start a family,” he adds.

“For the past 6 months I have had competition firmly at the forefront of my mind. It’s time for me to give it another go. My hope is to secure a WSL wildcard for the 2025 Challenger Series. With the support of the sponsors who have backed me, JS, FCS, Sunbum and the exciting prospect of chasing big results with my own brand Rivvia Projects at the top of my board, I am looking forward to the challenge,” she says.

“I will be there for the fun of the challenge and the healthy lifestyle that is surfing. I love surfing and I am still too competitive deep down to not give it another go,” he concludes.

His last great performance on the world tour was in 2018, when he fought with Gabriel Medina until the last stage. On that occasion he won two stages, one in Kirra and the other in France, and was second in Pipe and in the cancelled Margaret River stage that ended in Uluwatu.

See this post on Instagram

A post shared by Julian Wilson (@julian_wilson)