Professional surfer Bethany Hamilton, who famously returned to her beloved sport after losing her arm in a 2003 shark attack, has called out the World Surf League’s recent decision to allow men to compete against women under the guise of transgender inclusion.
Hamilton shared her thoughts on the matter via an Instagram video. Hamilton asked WSL about how they came to their decision and if any female surfers were consulted.
“This concerns me as a professional athlete that has been competing in the World Surf League events for the past 15+ years,”Sie said. “And I feel that I must speak up and stand up for those in position that may feel that they cannot say something about this. I think many of the girls on tour are not in support of this new rule, and they fear of being ostracized if they speak up. So here I go, questions that I have I want to consider with you.”
Hamilton asked these questions of the World Surf League.
- What happens when this rule is applied to other sports such as swimming, running or MMA?
- Has anyone asked any surfers currently in the world to comment on this rule, before or after it was announced?
- Before a change like this, should there not be an opportunity to have a discussion with all 17 female tour participants and the men?
- Are hormone levels an accurate and honest way to determine if someone is actually a man or a woman? Or is it more complicated than that? Is there anyone pushing for such huge changes?
- This will help the sport of surfing. This is better for women who surf? What is the best way to do this?
- Who decided that testosterone testing for 12 months was fair and legal?
- Why is the WSL statement about trans women competing with women and yet there’s no mention of converted women competing with men?
Hamilton concluded her remarks by suggesting that the league has created a different division for transgender athletes in order to allow them to compete with each other. “so that all can have a fair opportunity to showcase their passion and talent.”Also, she said that she won’t compete at future World Surf League events if this rule is not changed or challenged.
@bethanyhamilton Speaks Out Against New World Surf League Transgender Policy!
“Does this better the sport of surfing? Is this better for the women in surfing? If so, how?” pic.twitter.com/W850jZlnWg
— BRAVE Story Hour (@BraveBooksUS) February 5, 2023
Wow! Bethany Hamilton! Top surfer! She is a top surfer! https://t.co/4os8dpHW2V
— InformationIsEverything (@RealFeminist4) February 5, 2023
As Fox News reported, the World Surf League announced that it will immediately adopt the International Surfing Association’s (ISA) transgender policy for all of its tours.
“A surfer assigned male at birth who identifies as a woman and has woman/female on her national identity card or passport is eligible to compete in a men’s event or as a man in a mixed event if she has not met the requirements to compete in a woman’s event (such as maintaining testosterone level less than five nmol/l continuously for the previous 12 months),”This is the new rule.
“A surfer assigned male at birth who identifies as a woman and has man/male or ‘other’ or ‘X’ on their national identity card or passport is eligible to compete in a men’s event or as a man in a mixed event,”This adds.
The full article is available here here
