One of the superstars of women’s surfing, Lisa Anderson, hopes to make a return to competition in this month’s Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast, the opening event of the 2012 calendar.

The 42-year-old, who retired in 2003, was given a wild card in the Roxy Pro the following year but hasn’t donned a competitor’s singlet since.

The four-time world champion will compete in the trials for the event on February 24 with the winner going into the competition the following day.

“You couldn’t ask for a better pool of talent (at the moment), it’s the best in the history of the sport,” Anderson said.

“There are a lot of exciting new rookies and some older, experienced girls – there’ll be some great battles.”

Four-time world champ and hometown favourite Stephanie Gilmore said today’s competitors owe a lot to Anderson.

“I think that Lisa has paved the way for so many of the girls in this generation who want to surf with power and grace and be sexy in the water and feminine on the land and I think she was the first female to gain that respect from the men in such a male-dominated industry,” Gilmore said.

The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro events are scheduled from February 25 to March 7 at Snapper Rocks.