Surfing icon Layne Beachley has been recognised for her pioneering contributions to women’s sport, receiving The Dawn award at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame ceremony in Melbourne on Monday night.
The seven-time world champion, who helped set the stage for the future of women’s surfing both on and off the waves, was honoured for her “bravery, courage and capacity to change sport for the betterment of others” – a tribute named after Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser.
Despite her long-standing involvement in the sport – from junior development to chairing Surfing Australia for nearly a decade – Beachley admitted the accolade came as a shock.
“I’m surprised I’m being recognised and celebrated for a career that ended so long ago, so I feel a bit of impostor syndrome despite investing back in the sport as heavily as I do,” the 53-year-old said.
“I do it because I love it, I don’t do it to be recognised or celebrated for it, so these kinds of awards stop me in my tracks a little bit.”
Beachley’s early years on tour were marked by hardship.
She’s spoken openly about sleeping in her board bag because she couldn’t afford accommodation and earning just $840,000 across 19 years on the professional circuit.
Today, the sport looks vastly different.
Molly Picklum, the 22-year-old rising star who won this year’s world title, earned more than $750,000 in prize money – surpassing men’s world champion Yago Dora by nearly $200,000.
Reflecting on the transformation, Beachley said her focus had always been to leave surfing in a better place than she found it.
“This award provides me a wonderful opportunity to reflect on not only my career, but the impact I had, because when I joined the pro tour in 1990 I wanted to leave the sport in a better place than how I found it, and I’m grateful to see women’s surfing thriving today,” she said.
“I know that the pathway that I paved and the battles that I fought have resulted in achievement and success and prosperity for future generations.
“To see women’s surfing at the highest level with equal pay, equal opportunities, expanded fields, investment, encouragement, respect – all the things that I felt that my predecessors and our generation struggled and fought for for so long – it fills me with a sense of satisfaction.”
She added, “It also inspires me to keep pushing and to encourage that next generation to keep fighting for what is important to them and lifting up others along the way, to ensure that the next generation don’t have to do it as tough.”
Beachley continues to surf with the Freshwater Boardriders club in Sydney, and remains a powerful mentor to emerging athletes like Picklum, whom she first met as a young surfer.
“The way that the girls are surfing today is mind-blowing, and I’m so impressed and proud of the way in which they hold themselves, the role model status, the leadership that they show, but also the joy that they have with it,” she said.
“I first met Molly in 2017 she was identified by Surfing NSW as a potential champion surfer and Molly tells a story where I signed an autograph and got a photo with her when she was about 10.
“There’s always been these multiple little touch points along the way, which reminds me of just how important it is to leave a lasting legacy and a positive impression.”
Images: Instagram
