Phillip Island Pro will again have equal prize money

MALE and female competitors at the Phillip Island Pro later this year will again be surfing on the same terms, with Surfing Victoria announcing that there will be equal prize money at the QS1000 event.

The 2017 pro was the inaugural event and saw over 120 competitors take on big waves at Cape Woolamai.

Equal pay for men and women at the Phillip Island Pro was highlighted last week with the announcement by the World Surf League to ensure equal pay at a Championship Tour level in 2019.

“Surfing Victoria are stoked to once again have equal prize money at the Phillip Island Pro and to see that extended to Championship Tour events by the WSL,” Surfing Victoria chief executive officer Adam Robertson said.

“Victoria has a long history of female surfers competing on the world stage with Nikki van Dijk currently on the World tour and India Robinson a current Top 50 surfer on the Qualifying Series.

“Having equal prize money at this event will further encourage more females to compete and get involved in surfing.”

“Now that the WSL has announced pay parity at a CT level in 2019, surfing is proving itself to be one of the most the forward thinking and progressive sports in the world.”

In a coup for the November 2-6 event, 2016 world junior champion Isabella Nichols has confirmed her attendance, providing a major boost to the talent levels in the women’s division.

“I think it’s great that the contest is doing equal prize money for the boys and girls,” she said.

“The girls and boys both surf the same conditions, with the same heat times and travel the same distance to get to the contest spots.

“The only thing that was missing was the equal prize money up until now.

“I am so excited to compete in such a progressive event and hopefully get some epic waves at Phillip Island.”