Star surfer Stephanie Gilmore says Bali is drowning in plastic

Champion Aussie surfer Stephanie Gilmore is pushing for social change by backing the plastic bag ban and saving Bali. The seven-time world champion said she’s sickened by all the ocean plastic and is raising awareness about the biggest threat to her turf.

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When Aussie surf star Stephanie Gilmore stepped onto the serene beaches of Bali, she wasn’t expecting to see what she found hidden beneath the stunning waters.

“There were disturbing amounts of trash — the worst thing I’ve seen was paddling in Bali and getting handfuls and handfuls of plastic trash,” she tells BW Magazine.

“And in Mozambique, we were in these long stretches of secluded beaches with no one there and it’s just covered in plastic.

Stephanie Gilmore says Bali is drowning in plastic. Picture: Supplied

“In Bali, at least there were people around causing the trash but in Mozambique, where there were no people, it was disturbing to see.”

The seven-time world champion has just returned home from Bali after winning the World Surf League, scoring a perfect 10.

“Bali was awesome, we had a really successful event — but as a surfer we see the damage we are doing to the Earth every day,” she says.

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“Bali should be paradise but its just covered in plastic every single time. It’s my duty as a surfer to do something about it.”

Indonesia is the second-largest contributor of ocean plastic pollution after China.

The island nation is drowning in plastic bags, with 10 million entering circulation every day.

To counter this, Bali has announced that in two months it will implement a nationwide plastic bag ban.

Surfer Stephanie Gilmore says people need to be more conscious of the environment. Picture: Leilani Gryde

And Gilmore is backing the initiative by partnering with brands Corona and Parley to donate 20,000 reusable bags made from ocean plastic to help raise awareness about the biggest threat to her turf.

The Tweed Heads local — who began surfing at the age 10 — understands that it’s harder for people to witness the damage when they live away from the ocean and that’s why she’s speaking up.

“People who don’t live by the ocean don’t realise that your trash will end up in the sea regardless,” she explains. “I just think people need to be more conscious.”

Gilmore’s long-term goal is to donate one reusable bag to every household in Bali.

Stephanie Gilmore has just returned from Bali after her win. Picture: Supplied

Apart from spreading the word on ocean conservation, the star surfer is currently focused on making it to the 2020 Olympics — where for the first time surfing will be included.

“I never thought in my career that I’d ever get to be in the Olympics because surfing was never included,” she says.

“To sit alongside the Ian Thorpes and the Stephanie Rices will be a dream.

Growing up I was inspired the likes of Cathy Freeman and seeing the things she was capable of doing. ”

The 31-year-old hopes to replicate this ability to inspire young girls by being vocal about the ups and downs of being a female athlete.

While she’s adamant that she has always stayed true to herself, the surfer admits it can be hard.

“I feel like, as surfers, there is a stereotype that you sometimes have to fit into but I’ve always stayed true to who I am,” she says.

“I think it’s amazing that female athletes can be fierce and strong and powerful but also sexy and glamorous. As long as that image is what they want and not forced by brands.”

Stephanie Gilmore says the government needs to do more to help the environment. Picture: Leilani Gryde

Earlier this year, fellow Aussie athlete Tayla Harris was trolled on social media for a photo she posted and Gilmore says this pressure to look good doesn’t fall the same way on male athletes.

But her message to those looking to follow her footsteps is this: Don’t lose perspective.

“The pressure (to look a certain way) is definitely there.

Social media pressures girls to often do things just for the aesthetic,” she says.

Gilmore says the decision to not fit into a particular mould may have affected the way her career has shaped up.

But given her stellar record, she’s not complaining.

“I’m sure there were certain opportunities that didn’t come to fruition because I didn’t fit the bill of what they wanted,” she says.

“But it’s important to me to be able to be aligned with brands that I want to work with. It’s all about your perspective.”