The death of one of Australian sport’s true pioneers, Phyllis O’Donnell, leaves surfing world champions in mourning

Australian 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 surfing world 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 pioneer who broke the glass ceiling for us all’ she posted.

“She courageously paved the way, elevated, celebrated and helped develop women’s surfing.

“Phyllis has personally inspired me 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 by the loss of our greatest cheerleader. RIP Phyllis.”

Gilmore – who knew O’Donnell personally – labeled the sports pioneer her “idol.”

Australian sporting greats Layne Beachley and Steph Gilmore have paid tribute to fellow surfing legend Phyllis O’Donnell (pictured), who has died aged 87

O’Donnell was the women’s world surfing champion in 1964 and also won three national surfing titles between 1963 and 1965 (pictured, in action)

O’Donnell is pictured (right) next to fellow Australian surfing legend Bernard ‘Midget’ Farrelly

Layne Beachley called O’Donnell a “pioneer and legend” of the sport who “shattered the glass ceiling for all of us”

Fellow Australian surfer Stephanie Gilmore said Phyllis O’Donnell was her sporting idol with an ‘adventurous soul’

Stephanie Gilmore is pictured (left) with Phyllis O’Donnell (centre) after winning the Roxy Pro Women’s final at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast in 2005

“Phyllis was a young, adventurous soul who always had a cheeky smile on her face,” she said News Corp.

“I was inspired by her, I could tell she had a real love for the ocean.

“It was an honor to know her and I am forever grateful that Phyllis paved the way for young aspiring surfers like me.

“I hope she scores some nice waves in peace.”

In 2014, O’Donnell was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame at Huntington Beach, California following her stellar achievements in the sport.

Her close friend Bianca Nicholson confirmed that O’Donnell “passed away peacefully in her sleep.”

“Phyllis was extremely charismatic, likeable, competitive and had the best sense of humor,” she said.

“To the world she was a surfing hero, but to me she was my old bitty and forever my silly Phylly.”