Pauline Menczer is a pioneer in the sport of surfing. The vast majority of her career was spent sponsor-less, cash-less, and competing while battling the crippling disease of rheumatoid arthritis – but that didn’t stop Pauls. In 1993, she made it to the top and became a World Champion, solidifying one of the greatest underdog stories in sporting history.
Whilst prize money is now a given in the sporting world, the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) did not award World Title bonus cheques every year that the Tour was run. Like other athletes during this time period, Pauline was never given a cheque for her World Title, which she won in 1993. That year, Pauline’s total earnings from the tour was $30,000 – $25,000 of which she spent on travel to make it to events.
Inspired by the retelling of Pauline’s story in the highly anticipated documentary Girls Can’t Surf a bunch of girls got together to start a Go Fund Me page for Pauline. You can find out more about Pauline’s story and contribute to the Go Fund Me Page here. Check out the film trailer below and read a full review here. The film opens in cinemas on March 11. Don’t miss out on one of the best surf films ever made. Look out for a compelling interview with Pauline in the upcoming issue of Tracks.
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/rBjcbZla2cA” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
