Pauline took out the Women’s World Championships in 1993, all without the backing of a sponsor, becoming the first – and only – world champ to come from Bondi. In 2018, she was inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame. Last year, Waverley Council approved the gift of a statue immortalising Pauline’s incredible career and immeasurable contribution to both surfing and women’s sports, in a spot overlooking the very place she first took to the water as a child.
“As well as being a talented athlete, Pauline Menczer has been a trailblazer and tireless advocate for equality in sport, paving the way for so many to follow in her footsteps,” Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said. “Pauline’s impact and everything she was as a champion remains as relevant as ever, and Waverley Council is honoured to give her a permanent home at South Bondi Beach.”
Pauline said she was “blown away” by the statue, which she described as also being “for the surfers, the battlers and everyone who’s copped a few knocks but refused to give up”.
“This statue isn’t just about me,” she said. “If it inspires even one kid to have the courage to paddle out, it’s done its job.
“It’s so wild to think a little Bondi grom like me would end up with a bronze statue overlooking the waves where I learnt to surf. We didn’t have much growing up, but we had the gift of the ocean, and that was our everything.”
Pauline is celebrated not just for her advocacy but her fortitude in overcoming hurdles of sexism, homophobia and depilating bouts of rheumatoid arthritis.
Born and raised in Bondi, she began surfing at the tender age of 12 and quickly drew recognition for her uncanny ability to read the waves and ride them fearlessly.
The bronze figure honouring her is the work of respected Australian artist Cathy Weiszmann and portrays a young Pauline doing a “surf-check”, looking out across the ocean from the park.
Its cost was covered by the crowdfunding efforts of grassroots community group Pauline in Bronze and gifted to Council as a donation for the community.
“I express my sincere thanks to those who tirelessly campaigned to make this installation possible,” Cr Nemesh said.
Pauline added: “I’m so grateful to this amazing community. You legends made this happen.”
