For the first time in history, men and women will surf at the annual Easter event at Bells Beach and compete for equal prize money.
The equality movement comes after the World Surf League became the first major US-based professional sporting code to commit to equal prize money for men and women at all of its events.
Ten time Bells winner Gail Couper agrees it’s a positive move, saying, “It was affirmation of what women have been doing and their aims to make it a career. It gave [women] something to aim for and also a feeling of being valued.”
Reigning world champion Stephanie Gilmore, with four Bells of her own, says this move to equality is “much more empowering than any trophy [she’ll] ever win”.
The competition kicks of today at Bells Beach and will run until April 27.