Pauline Menczer: Groundbreaking Aussie surfing world champion reveals the terrifying reason coming out of the closet was a ‘life or death’ decision for her
- Pauline Menczer grew up in Bondi in Sydney’s east
- In 1993 he became world surfing champion
- Had to hide her sexuality while competing
Decorated Australian surfer Pauline Menczer has revealed why not declaring her sexuality on the professional tour was a life-or-death decision.
Speaking on Tuesday, the 1993 Bondi local and world surfing champion said she did not confirm she was gay during the competition because she feared the possible consequences of shameful crimes that sent fear through her neighbourhood.
“In the 1980s there were quite a few anti-gay hate crimes in Bondi, with men dying,” she says.
‘It was really a life or death decision for me at the time.
‘One of the murdered boys was my neighbor… so when I was on tour I told people my [French] girlfriend was actually my coach.
Decorated Australian surfer Pauline Menczer (pictured) has revealed why not declaring her sexuality on the professional tour was a life-or-death decision
The 1993 world surfing champion grew up in Bondi, which was the scene of several gay hate crimes in the 1980s when Menczer was still at school
‘I also chose not to make my sexuality public because homophobia was widespread at the time… and I didn’t want to be discriminated against.
‘Fortunately, society has that nowadays [somewhat] adult.’
Menczer, who was inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame in 2018, also told the ABC she was frustrated by the lack of sponsors willing to support a female world champion.
“All the money and sponsorship deals then went to the men,” she said. ‘As women we have had to fight hard for recognition.’
Menczer, who was inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame in 2018, said she was frustrated by the lack of sponsors pursuing her once she became world champion.
As a freckled brunette, Menczer struggled to find sponsors because her appearance was far from the industry’s ideal blonde beach babe.
Instead, she was forced to organize lotteries, bake cakes, and sell various goods to earn enough money to continue competing on the world stage.
Incredibly, Menczer also occasionally slept under stands during matches, as she could not afford accommodation in some venues.
In recent years she has led a much quieter life as a school bus driver in Brunswick Heads, just north of Byron Bay in NSW.
She also recently released a “warts and all” memoir chronicling her life, titled “Surf Like a Woman.”
“It shows my funny, serious and sad sides,” Menczer concluded.