The World Surf League has responded to criticism over the disparity in prize money between the male and female winners of a junior surfing tournament held in South Africa.
Local talent Zoe Steyn and Rio Waida from Indonesia were pictured on the stage with oversized cheques after the 2018 Billabong Junior Series Ballito Pro on Monday.
But while Steyn’s cheque was for 4,000 Rand ($400), Waida’s win earnt him double the amount at 8,000 Rand ($800). Both were winners in the Under 18 men's and women's categories respectively.
The organisers of the Ballito Pro, which Billabong has sponsored since 2015, said the World Surf League determined the prize money.
“The World Surf League (WSL) is the sanctioning body for WSL-aligned surfing events such as The Ballito Pro. The WSL implements certain criteria to determine surf ratings and prize money, and we have formally requested a detailed outline of this process for future discussion," a statement read.
“Based on this commitment to equality, we are meeting with all relevant stakeholders to discuss how any potential discrepancies can be resolved going forward."
'Same issue in Australia'
World Surf League Australia manager Will Hayden-Smith told ABC TripleJ's Hack program this week the payment for the competition is "very complicated".
"Men get double the prize money only because there are double the competitors," he said.
The same thing happens at Australian junior surfing events, he said. A fixed amount per entrant is calculated, but the more entrants there are, the more the total pool to pay the winner from increases.
"In Australia, the prize money at a junior event is $2,500 for women and $5,000 for men. In the men's field we have 64 surfers and in the women's field we have 24," Mr Hayden-Smith told the ABC.
The World Surf League on Wednesday and said it had "instituted pay parity" in recent years at the Championship Tour level and was "in the process of instituting [it] across other disciplines".
It said the Ballito Pro prize money was "based on original 32-man and 16-woman fields. However, withdrawals from the men's event left a 24-man field (withdrawals saw only 14 ultimately compete on the women's side) and a subsequent pay disparity between the two events".
'You're joking, right?'
The image of the two winners holding their cheques was posted on the Ballito Pro Facebook page and has attracted over 2,500 comments.
South African radio host Brent Lindeque took to Twitter to say there should not have been any disparity between the two surfers considering they competed under similar conditions.
One social media user asked: "Did the girls surf a different ocean that was easier we don't know about? This is pathetic", while another said they would be boycotting Billabong clothing.
"You’re joking right @billabongwomens @billabong ? Consider your merch totally boycotted by me, my friends and family."
Many others condemned the pay discrepancy on Miss Steyn's Instagram page.
"Well done on your achievement! However, you should have received the same prize money as he did - totally not fair on you girl. Keep going," Kelly Taylor said.
Some social media users said the statement from the organisers didn't go far enough. Facebook user Mary Madigan said more action needed to take place immediately.
Facebook user Siob Han backed those sentiments.
SBS Dateline's Meggie Palmer also voiced her concern over the response.
Mary Madigan's comment. Source: Facebook/Mary Madigan
Another outraged user made a comment on the Ballito Pro's Facebook. Source: Facebook/Siob Han
