LEMOORE, Calif. (AP) — The World Surf League says it will award equal prize money to women and men for WSL-controlled events beginning with the 2019 season.
CEO Sophie Goldschmidt says prize money equality is part of a long-range strategy to elevate women's surfing and has been in the works since the new ownership group took over in 2013.
She says the WSL currently has prize money parity. There are 36 men and 18 women on tour. First-place prize money at each Championship Tour event for men is $100,000 out of a purse of more than $600,000, while first-place money for women is $60,000 out of a purse of more than $300,000.
Goldschmidt says prize money for the 2019 tour has yet to be determined, but that women's places 1-18 will earn the same as the men's 1-18 finishers.
