Surfer Stephanie Gilmore reveals the shocking pay difference between men and women in the sport

Best female surfer of all time Stephanie Gilmore reveals shocking pay gap between men and women in the sport, says she was pressured to ‘look good in a bikini’

Eight-time world surfer Stephanie Gilmore talks about pay inequality in the sport.

The Australian surf star tells in this week’s edition of star magazine that she was earning nearly a quarter of what her male counterparts were earning early in her career.

“For my first eight years on tour, my salary was probably $12,000 versus $40,000 for the men. But I didn’t question it because all I wanted to do was surf,’ says the 34-year-old.

Eight-time world surfer Stephanie Gilmore talks about pay inequality in the sport.  Pictured in this week's issue of Stellar Magazine

Eight-time world surfer Stephanie Gilmore talks about pay inequality in the sport. Pictured in this week’s issue of Stellar Magazine

Stephanie explained that the surf industry ‘it can be a tough place for women not to be intimidated’, and she hopes to be a model for change.

‘I was never motivated by money. But being a leader is more than holding a trophy. Is when [I] He wanted to promote equality.

The athlete explained that she felt there was an undue focus on her appearance as a woman in sport, some of which she admits were her “own insecurities.”

“For my first eight years on tour, my salary was probably $12,000 versus $40,000 for the men.  But I didn't question it because all I wanted to do was surf,' says the 34-year-old.

“For my first eight years on tour, my salary was probably $12,000 versus $40,000 for the men. But I didn’t question it because all I wanted to do was surf,’ says the 34-year-old.

Stephanie explained that the surf industry

Stephanie explained that the surf industry “can be a tough place for women not to be intimidated,” and she hopes to be a beacon for change.

“Yeah, there were times when I felt the pressure as an up-and-coming surfer to look good in a bikini and have that hot beach girl vibe,” she said.

“But I’ve seen other athletes like Serena Williams be fierce and feminine, and I feel like as I get older, I realize how much fun it is to embrace both sides.”

In September, Stephanie won the title of the best female surfer of all time.

The athlete explained that she felt it was unduly focused on her appearance as a woman in sport, some of which she admits were her

The athlete explained that she felt it was unduly focused on her appearance as a woman in sport, some of which she admits were her “own insecurities.”

The Australian surf star made history on the break at California’s Lower Trestles, beating world number 1 and five-time world champion Carissa Moore in the title decider.

Gilmore was in tears as he hugged Moore immediately after winning his eighth world title, one more than compatriot Layne Beachley.

“I visualized this a lot and said ‘let’s do it,'” he said after his victory.

In September, Stephanie won the title of the best female surfer of all time.  She made history at the California Lower Trestles break, beating world number 1 and five-time world champion Carissa Moore in the title decider.

In September, Stephanie won the title of the best female surfer of all time. She made history at the California Lower Trestles break, beating world number 1 and five-time world champion Carissa Moore in the title decider.

Gilmore was in tears after winning his eighth world title, one more than his compatriot Layne Beachley.

Gilmore was in tears after winning his eighth world title, one more than his compatriot Layne Beachley.

“We’re going to prove this whole system wrong: you can come from the bottom, come from fifth and win a world title.” That’s fucking great.

‘I don’t think I’ve won a world title sitting in the water against the world number 1. There are not many words that can describe this feeling right now.

‘I’m going crazy. I can’t believe it, it’s crazy,’ she said.

Read more in this week's issue of Stellar Magazine

Read more in this week’s issue of Stellar Magazine