Fall 2018 shifted the landscape of surfing as we know, with woman leading the way.

The WSL announced formally at the Surf Ranch Pro, that they would be awarding equal pay for women and men at every WSL event 2019 and beyond.  That's more than 180 global events across the Women’s and Men’s Championship Tours, Longboard Tour, Junior World Championships and Big Wave Tour.

In response to the news Men's World Champion Surfer Kelly Slater said:

“It’s an honor to take part supporting the WSL in announcing prize money pay equality for men and women in surfing. It’s awesome that they’ve taken it upon themselves to step up and make this statement for the collective group. I’m convinced that men want to rule the world to try and impress women! But it’s easier and more flattering to start by treating them as our equals in the workplace. It’ll be interesting to hear people’s comments regarding the topic. I believe it’s a great precedent to set in sports and challenges what has been the norm. My brothers and I were raised predominantly by our mom on a small weekly paycheck so it’s refreshing to set an example as a sport for what should be the norm, and not the exception, in society."

In other breaking news, Brazilian Big-Wave Surfer Maya Gabeira set the record for largest wave officially surfed by a woman.  A 68 foot monstrous wave in Nazaré, Portugal. The wave only 12 feet shy of  the biggest wave ever surfed by a man, a 80 foot wave also ridden at Nazare' by Rodrigo Koxa.

Cheers to more historic moments for women in surfing in 2019 & beyond.