THE world\u2019s best surfers of 2018 were honoured at the World Surf League Awards in Coolangatta, Queensland at the end of March.<\/p>\n
The awards night celebrated the achievements of the newly crowned world champions across the Championship Tour, Big Wave Tour, Longboard, Pro Juniors, Masters and Grand Masters.<\/p>\n
Praise for best performances, most groundbreaking moments and exciting accomplishments in surfing over the past year were also delivered.<\/p>\n
When Aussie champion Stephanie Gilmore approached the WSL Awards stage, she said she was surprised by the power and platform that comes with a World Championship title.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was around September 2018 that I really understood the power of winning multiple World Titles,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou win a lot of World Titles and you start to wonder, \u2018what is it worth? Why do I continue to do this? What is it that motivated me to keep going?\u2019 \u2013 and you start to think about the platform that you get, the voice that you get, and the value of the power of sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo announce equal prize, pay for men and women with the WSL was such a proud moment for myself and for all the women before me, for not only female athletes but women around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n