First women’s world surfing champion Phyllis O’Donnell passes away
Stephanie Gilmore has shared a touching tribute as friends and family farewell an “inspiration”.
Gold Coast
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The Gold Coast’s golden girl Stephanie Gilmore has shared a touching tribute as friends and family farewell Australia’s first women’s world surfing champion.
Kingscliff surfing legend Phyllis O’Donnell passed away “peacefully in her sleep” at the age of 87 on Wednesday morning.
O’Donnell became a force to be reckoned with when she won the inaugural World Surfing Championships in 1964 when she was 27 years old.
She went on to dominate women’s surfing into the ’70s.
Gold Coast surfing legend and eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore said O'Donnell was her “idol”, stating she was “such a cool cat”.
“I’m so sad to hear (about her passing),” she said.
“(She had) a young, adventurous soul, (and was) always with a cheeky smile on her face.”
Gilmore said she would often see her swimming laps of the Kingscliff creek to keep her strength up.
“My dad would always say, ‘That was Phyllis, the first world surfing champion’,” she said.
“I was always inspired by this woman who I could tell had a true love for the ocean.
“It was an honour to know her and I’m forever grateful to have Phyllis blaze the path for young aspiring surfers like myself.
“I hope she is scoring some great waves in peace. Thanks Phyllis.”
In 2022, Gilmore honoured O’Donnell as she wore her jersey during the Portugal championships.
“Proud to rep Phyllis O'Donnell 1964 (first ever) World Surfing Champ on my jersey during this event here in Portugal,” she said at the time.
O’Donnell’s close friend Bianca Nicholson said she “peacefully passed away in her sleep on Wednesday at sunrise, riding her wave with the surfers”.
“Phyllis was extremely charismatic, loveable, competitive and had the best sense of humour,” Ms Nicholson said.
She said she met O’Donnell in 2009 and was blown away by her “resilience and determination”.
“She influenced so much of my life with her unconditional love, support and the best friendship I could have asked for,” she said.
“To the world she was a surfing hero, but to me she was my old bitty and forever my silly Phylly.”
Gold Coast surf identity Andrew McKinnon said he met O’Donnell in the early ’60s when she was surfing at Rainbow Bay.
“She absolutely dominated the line-up. Not taking any shot from the guys,” he said.
“Everyone respected Phyllis for her surfing ability and if you tried to drop in on her, you were told where to go in direct language.”
Mr McKinnon said O’Donnell had gave him surfing tips to help him win the Junior State Titles in 1970 and 1971.
“She was tough and tenacious,” he said.
“She had a disarming smile and a dry sense of humour.”
After news of the sporting pioneer’s passing broke, tributes began flooding social media.
“Rest in peace Phyllis O’Donnell. You were an amazing inspiration and icon to all of us female surfers over many, many decades,” Prue Jeffries posted to Facebook.
“You pioneered and carved a path for all of us to follow.
“We love you. May you be riding endless waves of peace.”
In 2022, Channel 7 reporter and sporting champion Sally Pearson visited O’Donnell in her Pottsville nursing home where she was still in high spirits.
During the exclusive interview, Pearson and O’Donnell fought in an arm-wrestle challenge and reminisced on the years when she dominated the waters.
“I won my surfing title on my you know, they were big in those days, long,” she said to Pearson in the interview.
“Men refused to respect women surfers.
“Most guys went out of the road to run over women’s surfboards to make sure they didn’t come back out again.
“So I’d get them by their pants and push them in the surf.
“Don’t mess with the old girl.”
PHOTOS FROM THE YEARS
Originally published as First women’s world surfing champion Phyllis O’Donnell passes away
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