A California searching opposition was told by an organization that oversees surfing competitions that it required men who “identify” as women to enter in the category of women.
The Huntington Beach Longboard Pro event’s organizers have been informed by the California Coastal Commission that they may never “discriminate” trans athletes and that the BBC has recommended that male-born Sasha Jane Lowerson be allowed to engage in the women’s type.
Due to the rules that the International Surfing Association ( ISA ) allows those who “identify” as female to compete as a woman, Lowerson had to enter the L.A. competition in the women’s category. But simply ahead of last Saturday’s event, Lowerson was denied a chance to thrive.
” I was really disappointed and surprised ]at being excluded ]”, Lowerson said. ” You ca n’t cherry- pick the code. If you’re going to utilize the code, you use all of it”.
Joel Vaughan of Australia browsing in Heat 8 of the Round of 64 during the 2024 GWM Sydney Surf Pro at North Narrabeen Beach on May 10, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. ( Andy Cheung/Getty Images )
Lowerson should not have been overly surprised to be excluded. Todd Messick, the administrator of the battle, had said again on April 25 that transgenders would not be allowed to compete in the women’s class and said that he was attempting to create” an identical playing field” for candidates.
Messick responded by saying he was surprised by the volume of fury he was directed at, but that many people also found it very appreciative of my speaking out.
” For me, I was trying to do the correct item. It was n’t something I ever expected to have to deal with, really, not in our little longboard community”, Messick said.
The surfers are overwhelmingly opposed to transgender sportsmen, according to the administrator.
Riaru Ito of Japan surfs in Heat 7 of the Round of 64 during the 2024 GWM Sydney Surf Pro at North Narrabeen Beach on May 10, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. ( Andy Cheung/Getty Images )
“90 % of the female surfers I spoke to are in agreement, but many have n’t commented. It’s that sensitive”, he said.
The American Lowerson, who has previously competed as a person as a gentleman, claims to have started transitioning to a lady three years ago and that being a woman has never been an issue in Australia.
Last year, the World Surf League ( WSL ) made a change to its rules requiring that transgender women have a minimum testosterone level for a year before competing. However, there was some backlash on the principle, particularly from famous surf Bethany Hamilton.
Hamilton blasted the business for allowing “male- creamy players” to thrive as people.
Female athletes who are physically unable to compete in female sports does not. Period.
— Bethany Hamilton ( @bethanyhamilton ) January 29, 2024
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