- Pauline Menczer grew up in Bondi, in Sydney’s east.
- He became world surfing champion in 1993.
- He had to hide his sexuality while competing.
Decorated Australian surfer Pauline Menczer has revealed why not declaring her sexuality during the professional circuit was a “life or death” decision.
Speaking on Tuesday, the 1993 Bondi local and world surfing champion said she did not come out as gay when competing because she feared possible repercussions due to shameful crimes that spread fear in her neighbourhood.
“In the 1980s there were quite a few anti-gay hate crimes in Bondi that resulted in the deaths of men,” he said.
“It really was a life or death decision for me at that time.
“One of the guys who was killed was my neighbor… so when I was on tour, I told people that my (French) girlfriend was actually my coach.
Decorated Australian surfer Pauline Menczer (pictured) has revealed why not declaring her sexuality when she was on the pro tour was a “life or death” decision.
The 1993 world surfing champion grew up in Bondi, which was the scene of several anti-gay hate crimes in the 1980s, when Menczer was still at school.
‘I also decided not to reveal my sexuality because homophobia was widespread at the time… and I didn’t want to be discriminated against.
“Fortunately, society today has (somewhat) grown.”
Menczer, who was inducted into Australia’s Surfing Hall of Fame in 2018, also told ABC she was frustrated by the lack of sponsors willing to back a women’s world champion.
“All the money and endorsement deals back then went to the men,” she said. “As women, we had to fight hard for recognition.”
Menczer, who was inducted into Australia’s Surfing Hall of Fame in 2018, said she was frustrated by the lack of sponsors to pursue her once she became world champion.
As a freckled brunette, Menczer had a hard time getting sponsors because her appearance was so far from the industry’s ideal blonde beach babe.
Instead, she was forced to organize raffles, bake cakes, and sell various products to earn enough funds to continue competing on the world stage.
Incredibly, Menczer also sometimes slept under the stands at contests, as he could not afford to stay in some places.
In recent years she has lived a much quieter life as a school bus driver in Brunswick Heads, just north of Byron Bay in New South Wales.
She also recently published a memoir “warts and all” detailing her life titled “Surf Like a Woman.”
“It shows my funny, serious and sad side,” Menczer concluded.
