Australian female surfers?> Prize money compared to male surfers?

Question

Does anyone know when pro females recieved prize money or sponsorship in comparison to pro male surfers in Australia? Year? Competition? Amount?

thanks xo

Answer 1

It doesn't matter if you only surf in contests in Oz or if you surf the ASP World Tour. It's never been equal. You can see how significant the difference is here:

Women's Prize Money:

http://www.aspworldtour.com/2007/schedul...

Men's Prize Money:

http://www.aspworldtour.com/2007/schedul...

There are a lot of mixed feelings over the issue but it's not likely to change anytime soon. Women can definately rip, but when they decided it was too dangerous for them to surf Chopes anymore, I don't personally feel it helped their cause.

If you want to be paid the same then do the same. The industry itself has shaped (warped) my view. There just aren't enough Layne's and Keala's out there.

Answer 2

There will always be less prize money and attention towards women's surfing because there are less fans, which equals less money.  If there were more spectators and interest (buying products and gear) than men's, then there would be more money for the women than the men.  That is why American football pays enormous saleries in the US and soccer is struggling to survive, the fans throw down the ex-presidents to watch football, and most Americans wouldn't go to a pro-soccer event if it was free admission.  

Back to girls surfing, I am glad there is a women's tour, but my guess from attending surf comps is that there are more girls as spectators at a men's event than there are at a women's event.  And I can see better surfing by guys at my local break than at the last women's heat I saw in a comp, so why would I spend time or money going to watch it.

Tell the girls to get better and bring their friends.  When the surfing gets good and the spectators come, the prize money and opportunity will go up.