Can Julian Wilson Still Win a World Title?

Originally posted on SURFER | By Zander Morton | Last updated Nov 19, 2024 11:35 AM ET

After a four-year hiatus, the former world number 2 is ready to give the CT (and a world title) another crack

Julian Wilson is a 14-year WSL Championship Tour vet with five CT wins and a world runner up on his resume. In 2021, after Covid made travel to and from Australia nearly impossible, Wilson retired from competitive surfing so he could spend time at home with his family and start his own brand, Rivvia Projects.

4-years later, with his family thriving and his brand rolling, Wilson is ready to jump back on tour. A few months back, he announced the news on Instagram, writing: “This time three years ago I was sitting in a hotel quarantine room in the aftermath of my Tokyo Olympic campaign, watching my dream as a WT surfer fade away while heading home to be the best partner and Dad that could be during a very challenging time (mentally).

“I don’t regret my decision for a second and I love my wife and family to bits. Nothing in life compares to a healthy relationship at home and the opportunity to raise a family. The past 6 months I’ve had competing firmly at the forefront of my mind. It’s time for me to give it another crack. My hope is to get a WSL wildcard for the 2025 challenger series.”

While the two CT wildcards are already locked up for 2025 (Joao Chianca and Filipe Toledo), the WSL would be silly not to grant Wilson his Challenger Series wildcard wish. Especially after watching him blitz Lowers in the edit above. With the dream tour looking as dreamy as ever, Wilson would be an exciting addition. With the way he's still surfing, we should be seeing him at Pipe in 2026.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: