The American Longboard Association initially ruled that transgender females would not be allowed to compete in the women’s division of a surfing competition in California. However, after facing backlash, the association’s founder Todd Messick reversed this decision, allowing trans surfer Sasha Jane Lowerson to participate in the Huntington Beach Longboard Pro against women. The California Coastal Commission stated that surf competitions could not discriminate based on gender, leading Messick to reconsider his original ruling. Messick expressed surprise at the amount of anger his decision initially caused, but noted that many people were appreciative of his focus on fairness in women’s sports.
According to the BBC, California Coastal Commission regulations mandate that surf contests in state waters must be carried out in a non-discriminatory manner based on gender in order to avoid being shut down. Lowerson, an Australian surfer who has won competitions against men, expressed disappointment and surprise at initially being barred from the event. Lowerson emphasized the importance of adhering to the rulebook without cherry-picking, and criticized the initial decision to exclude her from the competition. Lowerson is an ambassador for Rip Curl, a move that was criticized by surfing legend Bethany Hamilton, who believes that male-bodied athletes should not compete in women’s sports.
Hamilton, known for her stance on trans inclusion in women’s sports, previously spoke out against the World Surf League’s rules governing transgender women competing in events. The WSL requires transgender female athletes to maintain a testosterone level of 5 nmol/L for at least a year in order to participate in the women’s division. Hamilton suggested creating a new division for transgender competitors rather than allowing them to compete against women. Messick noted that the majority of female surfers he spoke with sided with Hamilton’s view on the issue, although many chose not to comment due to the sensitivity of the topic.
Hamilton’s stance on transgender inclusion in women’s sports has stirred debate within the surfing community, with some supporting the idea of creating separate divisions for transgender athletes and others expressing concern about fairness in competition. Messick’s reversal of the initial decision to exclude transgender females from the surfing competition reflects a commitment to upholding regulations that prohibit discrimination based on gender. The controversy surrounding transgender inclusion in women’s sports highlights the need for ongoing discussions and consideration of how to ensure a level playing field while also promoting inclusion and diversity within the sports community.
