The American Longboard Association has reversed its initial decision and will now allow transgender females to participate in the women's division of its competitions, including the upcoming Huntington Beach Longboard Pro. The move comes after facing backlash from the surfing community and citing legal obligations to prevent discrimination.
The American Longboard Association (ALA) has reversed its decision barring transgender females from competing in the women's division of its surfing competitions. The association's founder, Todd Messick, had initially ruled that transgender female surfer Sasha Jane Lowerson would not be eligible to compete in the Huntington Beach Longboard Pro. However, Messick later reversed his decision after facing backlash from the surfing community and acknowledging legal obligations to prevent discrimination.
Lowerson, an Australian who previously won competitions against men, expressed disappointment and surprise at being initially barred from the event. She emphasized the need to adhere to the rulebook in its entirety, rather than selectively applying its provisions.
Messick stated that he was surprised by the level of anger his original decision generated. He claimed to have been motivated by a desire to ensure fairness in women's sports. However, he recognized that he had little choice but to reverse his decision in light of California law and the potential legal consequences of discrimination.
According to the California Coastal Commission, surf contests in state waters must adhere to the law and avoid gender-based discrimination. Failure to comply could result in the shutdown of competitions.
Lowerson's eligibility for the women's division has sparked controversy within the surfing community. Surfing legend Bethany Hamilton has been an outspoken critic of allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports. She has argued that male-bodied athletes have an unfair advantage due to physiological differences.
Messick reported that approximately 90% of female surfers he has spoken to support Hamilton's stance, but many have remained silent due to the sensitivity of the issue. Hamilton criticized the World Surf League's (WSL) rules governing transgender inclusion, calling for the creation of a separate division.
The WSL currently requires transgender female athletes to maintain a testosterone level of 5 nmol/L for at least a year before competing in the women's division. Hamilton believes this policy is insufficient and that a new division is necessary to ensure fairness.
The inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports continues to be a contentious issue, with proponents emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and opponents raising concerns about fairness and biological advantages. The ALA's decision to allow Lowerson to compete in the women's division is likely to further fuel this debate.
