The World Surf League has agreed to pay its athletes, no matter what their gender, equal pay starting January 1st 2019.
The change comes amid a rising tide in action sports to support our female athletes equally both financially and otherwise. Stephanie Gilmore was front and center at press release time and since the announcement, the WSL is winning national headlines for its progressive payroll.
“My brothers and I were raised predominantly by our mom on a small weekly paycheck so it’s refreshing to set an example as a sport for what should be the norm, and not the exception, in society” – Kelly Slater
Countless surfers on both male and female applauded the move with the unofficial torch bearer of the sport, Kelly Slater saying, “it’s a great precedent to set in sports and challenges what has been the norm.” Cheers to the WSL for standing for what it believes and correcting an unfair wage gap within the outdoor rec industry.
Equal by Nature. From 2019, female and male athletes will receive equal prize money across all WSL controlled events. #CatchThisWave pic.twitter.com/oG7vVAru8J
— World Surf League (@wsl) September 5, 2018
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