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Newly crowned seven-time world surf champion Stephanie Gilmore feels she's just getting started, dismissing talk of retirement plans.

Australian surf queen Stephanie Gilmore insists retirement plans aren't on her mind as she rides a wave to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

In November, the 31-year-old emulated countrywoman Layne Beachley's record haul of seven women's world tour titles at Hawaii's season-ending Maui Pro.

Gilmore said the record-equalling accomplishment had finally sunk in and she remained hungry for more success, dismissing any talk of retiring.

"That hasn't crossed my mind at all," Gilmore told Nine's Today Show.

"To think of the Olympics and, to have all these new opportunities and new goals in surfing, it's a wonderful thing.

"We'll see what happens, but I feel like I'm just getting started."

When she won her sixth world championship in 2014, the Tweed Heads native seemed a lock to become the most-decorated female surfer in history.

But the rise of next-generation stars Tyler Wright and Carissa Moore resulted in three title-less years for Gilmore, casting doubt over her coronation.

She heard the noise and used it as motivation to turn the sceptics into believers.

"I remember obviously being frustrated by it but just using it as fuel for the fire," Gilmore said.

"I remember feeling like 'OK, I'll just prove you wrong'."

That she did. And she'll be aiming to do it again as she returns for April's World Surf League season opener on the Gold Coast.