Surfer legend Bethany to boycott WSL if it goes ahead with transgender policy, says report

SHAH ALAM - Surfer's legend, Bethany Hamilton says she will boycott World Surf League (WSL) events if the organisation implements a policy that allows transgender athletes to compete in the women's division, according to a report.

In a video posted on Instagram, she questioned the policy saying hormone levels is an honest and accurate representation of whether someone is male or female and it's really that simple.

“Who is driving this massive shift? How did whoever made these hormone rules come to the conclusion that 12 months of testosterone testing made the switch fair and legal?” she was quoted in The Washington Post.

Hamilton, who gained national attention after losing her left arm in a shark attack in 2003 and has competed in the WSL for over 15 years.

She has also become an advocate for differently abled athletes since then and is a former national champion.

In addition to her surfing career, she is an author and a mentor on Christian faith, healing, health and relationships.

“I strive to have love for all, regardless of their differences,” she said.

The Washington Post further quoted her saying she wants to use her platform as a well-known and popular surfer to advocate for those who are afraid of being shunned if they speak out on this matter.

“Has anyone in the World Surf League asked any of the current surfers what they think about this new rule before it was passed or made public? Should they talk to each other?," she stated.

She also said that it would be hard to imagine the future of women's surfing in the next 15 to 20 years should this major change be implemented.

Her remarks elicited both good and negative responses.

She added a video on Tuesday in which she said she was aware with the responses due to her not going along with the crowd, had a different opinion, and was willing to share her questions, thoughts, and opinions about the new rules.

This comes after WSL recently said it would adopt the International Surfing Association’s policy, which says that trans athletes who want to compete in the women's division must keep their testosterone level at a certain level for at least a year.

The WSL said in a statement that its policy adheres to Olympic rules, and it is attempting to strike a balance between equity and justice.

"We will continue to examine the policy in the next months and years as additional research, information, and criticism become available," the statement said.