The organization that governs surfing competitions has told California surfing competitions that they must allow men who “identify” as women to compete in the women’s division.
California Coastal Commission informed Organizers of the Huntington Beach Longboard Pro event must not “discriminate” against transgender athletes and must allow Sasha Jane Rowerson, who was born male, to compete in the women’s category, according to the BBC. The ruling was made.
Lowerson had entered the Los Angeles competition in the women’s category because the International Surfing Association (ISA) had rules that allowed those who “identified” as women to compete as women. However, just before last Saturday’s event, Lowerson was not given an opportunity to compete.
“I was really disappointed and surprised. [at being excluded]” Rowerson said. “You can’t cherry-pick a rulebook. If you’re going to use a rulebook, you have to use them all.”
Joel Vaughan of Australia surfs during heat 8 of the Round of 64 at the 2024 GWM Sydney Surf Pro on May 10, 2024 at North Narrabeen Beach in Sydney, Australia. (Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
Lowerson shouldn’t have been too surprised to be left out. Pageant organizer Todd Messick said on April 25 that transgender people would not be allowed to compete in the women’s category, saying he was trying to create a “level playing field” for contestants. .
Messick said she was “surprised by the amount of anger” directed at her, but added: “I also realized there were a lot of people who were very grateful that I was speaking out.”
“For me, I was trying to do the right thing. Really, in our little longboard community, I never thought we’d have to deal with something like this,” Messick said.
Organizers also claimed that most surfers were against transgender athletes.
Rial Ito of Japan surfs in heat 7 of the Round of 64 at the 2024 GWM Sydney Surf Pro on May 10, 2024 at North Narrabeen Beach in Sydney, Australia. (Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
“Ninety percent of the female surfers I spoke to agree, but many don’t comment. It’s very sensitive,” he said.
Rowerson, an Australian who has competed as a man in the past, claims he started transitioning to being a woman three years ago and told the media that competing as a woman is not an issue in Australia.
Last year, the World Surf League (WSL) changed its policy on allowing transgender participants, with a rule requiring transgender women to meet the required testosterone levels for a year before competing. However, the rule also faced some backlash, particularly from famous surfer Bethany Hamilton.
Hamilton criticized organizations for allowing “male-bodied athletes” to compete as women.
Athletes in male bodies should not participate in women’s sports. period.
— Bethany Hamilton (@bethanyhamilton) January 29, 2024
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