- Aussie surfing pioneer Phyllis O’Donnell has died
- She was women’s world surfing champion in 1964
- Layne Beachley and Stephanie Gilmore lauded O’Donnell
Aussie sporting greats Layne Beachley and Stephanie Gilmore have paid tribute to fellow surfing legend Phyllis O’Donnell, who has died aged 87.
O’Donnell became Australia’s first women’s world surfing champion in 1964 and also won three national titles between 1963 and 1965.
A shattered Beachley – a seven-time world champion – took to Instagram to celebrate O’Donnell’s life.
‘Pro-surfing has lost its matriarch…Phyllis was a trailblazer who shattered the glass ceiling for us all,’ she posted.
‘She courageously paved the way, elevated, celebrated and helped develop women’s surfing.
‘Phyllis inspired me personally to challenge the status quo and give back to a sport that has given us so much.
‘We are indebted to her passion and saddened to lose our biggest cheerleader. RIP Phyllis.’
Gilmore – who knew O’Donnell personally – labelled the sporting pioneer her ‘idol.’
‘Phyllis was a young, adventurous soul, who always with a cheeky smile on her face,’ she told News Corp.
‘I was inspired by her, I could tell she had a true love for the ocean.
‘It was an honour to know her and I’m forever grateful to have Phyllis blaze the path for young aspiring surfers like myself.
‘I hope she is scoring some great waves in peace.’
In 2014, O’Donnell was added to the Surfing Walk of Fame at Huntington Beach in California following her glittering achievements in the sport.
Her close friend Bianca Nicholson confirmed O’Donnell ‘peacefully passed away in her sleep.’
‘Phyllis was extremely charismatic, loveable, competitive and had the best sense of humour,’ she said.
‘To the world she was a surfing hero, but to me she was my old bitty and forever my silly Phylly.’
