Pauline Menczer for International Women’s Day

Pauline Menczer was the 2026 recipient of Waverley Council International Women’s Day Award. She’s a world champion surfer who grew up around Bondi in Sydney. She fell in love with surfing the first time she ever took to the water, on a broken half board.

Pauline made it to the 1993 Women’s Surfing World Championships, all without the backing of a sponsor, and facing roadblocks of sexism, homophobia and bouts of chronic pain. Despite this, she not only made it to the championships in Hawaii, but she took out the world title, becoming the first – and only – surfing world champion to come from Bondi. 

Throughout her life, and sporting career, she’s navigated the systemic sexism of surfing, dealt with poverty and serious ill health but she’s been a tireless advocate. She now works with people who live with disabilities. She’s advocated for equal pay for women surfers. Her efforts in rallying for gender equality and greater opportunities, sponsorships and recognition for female surfers have helped pave the way and open the door for those who followed in her footsteps. It was a total delight to find out more about her early days, how her mum raised her to always make do, to hear about the camaraderie between her and other female surfers who were competing around the world. She spoke about competing even when she was in agonizing pain and her determination to win. She’s an inspiration, she’s a generous community-minded person and it was a great thrill to meet her and celebrate her for Waverley Council’s International Women’s Day celebrations this year.