As a kid growing up in the 80s, Pauline Menczer, and her twin brother would comb the beach looking for cans to cash in. These were different times in the beachside suburb now better known for breaking real estate records and playing host to the rich and famous. Back then Bondi families still did what they needed to, to get by. Pauline’s Mum would also send the kids out looking for discarded goods, and run regular garage sales to supplement the family income.
Despite her humble beginnings and well-documented battles with rheumatoid arthritis, Pauline went on to be claim the 1993 ASP world champion. Along the way she became known for her refined surfing style, valiant big wave approach and hilarious antics at post contest parties. Nicknamed by her peers as ‘Naughty Pauls’, her favourite pastime was wearing fancy dress outfits and taking the mickey out of herself and everyone else on tour.
Pauline’s contribution to pro-surfing was recently re-visited by award winning documentary Girls Can’t Surf. Pauline’s story of gritty determination and her capacity to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles whilst preserving good humour, made her one of the film’s most celebrated figures.
The movie also cast light on the fact that Pauline never received a world title cheque when she claimed the 1993 crown. Instead she found herself door-knocking for sponsors who didn’t seem interested in backing the plucky world champion. The injustice inspired two fans to set up a Go Fund Me page to raise the prize-money Pauline never received. The campaign raised over $60 000. Pauline kept the $25K she was owed (this went towards her own health costs as she lives with a rare autoimmune condition) and gave the rest to charity.
Now the makers of the film have initiated a campaign to have a statue built in Pauline’s honour at Bondi. Launching today, the ‘Pauline In Bronze’ GoFundMe campaign aims to raise $150,000. “Bondi is where Pauline learnt to surf; at a time when she was often the only female ‘grommet’ in the line-up,” said Girls Can’t Surf producer and campaign organiser Michaela Perske. “Undeterred by the hostility she often encountered there were a few locals who saw the champion in the making and encouraged her to stick at it… It’s time to honour Pauline and her legacy with a permanent statue to acknowledge her legacy and inspire the next generation of young women to follow their dreams.”
Pauline has suggested that she would like the statue to show her surfing and to be located at South Bondi, where she spent years refining the act that would make her a world champion. She likes the idea that young girls might walk past the statue and be inspired to pursue their own aspirations, whatever they may be.
Despite their success, surfers rarely get the same level of recognition as other sports people in Australia. Meanwhile, Bondi is a beach much in need of some historical awareness to anchor it against the quick march of progress. A statue that honours a woman who came from humble beginnings to conquer the surfing world seems like a perfect solution.
