Sexism in sport: ‘If the surf turns to s**t, send the girls out’

IT’S the attitude that makes former world surfing champ Layne Beachley’s blood boil, and yet she says it happens all the time.

AUSTRALIA’S female sports stars may be scoring some wins in the push for better pay, but sexism is still a battle, says former world surfing champ Layne Beachley.

“The common thought is if the surf turns to s**t then send the girls out,” says Layne, speaking of the conditions that women often have to compete in.

“Sometimes we do have to deal with this steadfast belief that women deserve marginalised conditions compared to the men and that’s just going to take time to shift.

“Unfortunately comments like that tend to shock the girls because they don’t say anything in their defence, it is ridiculous and it’s unacceptable behaviour.”

Layne says while some attitudes haven’t changed in women’s surfing, others have greatly improved.

“Men are less hostile towards women in the surf because there are now so many of us out there, plus there is just a greater level of recognition and support for women — among men, and deservingly so.”

Today the current six time women’s world champion and fellow Aussie Stephanie Gilmore is earning an estimated $2 million a year.

Compared to the men, that $2 million is about half what the current number one rated male surfer John John Florence earns.

Layne’s comments come ahead of her Aim for the Stars Women in Leadership Forum later this month featuring key speakers: former Prime Minster Julia Gillard and Sex Discrimination Commission Elizabeth Broderick.

Female sports stars are continuing to push for better pay and conditions in the wake of landmark pay increases for women in the national netball league.

Last month Netball Australia successfully negotiated better pay for its players, dwarfing deals, particularly those aimed at lifting the minimum wage, achieved for the women’s AFL and national cricket competitions.

Ten years on from claiming her seventh world title at 36 years old, when she was earning around $300,000 a year in combined sponsorship dollars and winnings, Layne thinks the surfing industry could be doing more for women.

“Upon reflection, I know I have played a significant role in the earning potential of today’s female professional surfers.”

Layne says that these days promising teenagers are earning more than she was after her first world title win from sponsors.

“If a teenager shows any signs of potential they are swept up by the industry and paid phenomenal dollars — I reckon there are 12-year-old’s earning more today than I was when I won my first world title”. At the time, she was taking home just $35,000 for the year.

Layne’s push for better pay for female surfers has not just come about through her world title wins, but through her entrepreneurial pursuits — one of which is the creation and success of the world’s richest women’s surf contest, the Beachley Classic.

While winning created a lot of value for Layne, for some female sports stars there is still the urge to opt for a modelling career to try and boost their careers.

But Layne reckons this in unsustainable.

“I think about how successful I was despite the fact that I was not a golden pin-up girl.

“When I think about Lisa Anderson — former US four time world champion and today’s current golden girl Stephanie Gilmore I certainly don’t possess the same beauty as those girls.

“I had to find a different way to stand out, surfing big waves, through my ability to connect with others, sharing my story, and letting people know exactly what I stand for and never compromising on my values.

“It’s the story I tell everybody irrespective of where they are in their life.

“If you don’t stand for something then you will fall for anything. It’s about establishing a deep personal understanding of what drives you, starting with your personal values.”

Bianca Hartge-Hazelman is the founder of women’s money magazine financy.com.au