A recent controversy has erupted in the surfing world, involving two surfers with very different stories: Bethany Hamilton, a shark attack survivor and Christian activist, and Sasha Jane Lowerson, a transgender surfer and longboard champion. The issue at stake is whether transgender women should be allowed to compete in women’s surfing events, and how the surf industry and the fans should respond to this debate.
The Background of Bethany Hamilton
The controversy began in January 2024, when Rip Curl, a popular surf brand, posted a photo of Lowerson on its Rip Curl Women Instagram account, as part of its Meet The Local Heroes of Western Australia campaign. Lowerson, who transitioned from male to female in 2019, is the first trans surfer to win a longboard competition, and has been an advocate for transgender rights and inclusion in sports.
The post, however, sparked a backlash from many Rip Curl customers and followers, who accused the brand of promoting a “biological male” in a women’s category, and of replacing Hamilton, who had been a longtime Rip Curl athlete until November 2023. Some even threatened to boycott the brand, or to burn their Rip Curl products in protest.
Rip Curl soon deleted the post, and issued an apology, stating that they wanted to promote surfing for everyone in a respectful way, but recognized that they upset a lot of people with their post. They also clarified that Lowerson was not a sponsored athlete, and had not replaced anyone on the Rip Curl team.
Shark Attack At Age 13
Bethany Hamilton, who is best known for surviving a shark attack at age 13 that resulted in the loss of her left arm, and for continuing to surf at a professional level despite her disability, had previously expressed her opposition to transgender women competing in women’s surfing events. In August 2023, after the World Surf League (WSL) announced that it would allow transgender athletes to compete in its events, following the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines, Hamilton posted on her social media: “Male-bodied athletes should not be competing in female sports. Period.”
Hamilton, who is also a devout Christian and a mother of three, has been vocal about her faith and her conservative views on various social issues, such as abortion, marriage, and gender identity. She has also been involved in several Christian organizations, such as Friends of Bethany, a non-profit that supports shark attack survivors and amputees, and Anchored in Love, a conference for young women that focuses on identity, beauty, and purpose.
Bethany Hamilton’s stance on transgender athletes, however, has drawn criticism from some of her fans and fellow surfers, who accused her of being transphobic, ignorant, and hateful. Some also pointed out the irony of Hamilton, who has overcome a physical disadvantage, denying other surfers the opportunity to overcome their own challenges.
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The Debate for Transgender Athletes
The debate over transgender athletes in sports is not new, nor is it limited to surfing. It has been a contentious and complex issue that involves scientific, ethical, legal, and social aspects, and that affects various sports, such as track and field, cycling, rugby, and weightlifting.
The main argument of those who oppose transgender women competing in women’s sports is that they have an unfair advantage over cisgender women, due to their biological differences, such as muscle mass, bone density, testosterone levels, and height. They claim that allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports would undermine the integrity and fairness of the competition, and would jeopardize the safety and opportunities of cisgender women.
The main argument of those who support transgender women competing in women’s sports is that they have a right to participate in sports according to their gender identity, and that excluding them would be discriminatory, harmful, and against the spirit of sportsmanship. They claim that transgender women do not have a significant advantage over cisgender women, and that other factors influence athletic performance, such as training, nutrition, coaching, and motivation. They also point out that there are already rules and regulations in place to ensure a level playing field, such as hormone therapy, eligibility criteria, and testing.
The debate is further complicated by the lack of conclusive and consistent scientific evidence on the effects of hormone therapy on athletic performance, and by the diversity and variability of transgender individuals and their experiences. Moreover, the debate is influenced by the social and cultural context of sports, and by the stereotypes and prejudices that exist around gender, sexuality, and identity.
The Implications & Controversy
The controversy involving Rip Curl, Bethany Hamilton, and Lowerson has highlighted the challenges and dilemmas that the surf industry and the surf community face in dealing with the issue of transgender athletes. It has also raised questions about the role and responsibility of surf brands, surf media, surf organizations, and surf fans in promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion in surfing, and in fostering a respectful and constructive dialogue on this topic.
On one hand, some surf brands, such as Rip Curl, have tried to embrace and celebrate transgender surfers, and to showcase their stories and achievements. Some surf media, such as Surfer and The Inertia, have also tried to cover and discuss the issue of transgender athletes in surfing, and to provide different perspectives and opinions. Some surf organizations, such as the WSL, have also tried to adopt and implement policies and guidelines that allow transgender athletes to compete in their events, and to protect their rights and dignity.
On the other hand, some surf brands, such as Rip Curl, have also faced backlash and boycotts from some of their customers and followers, who disagree with their stance on transgender athletes, and who feel betrayed and alienated by their actions. Some surf media, such as Surfer and The Inertia, have also faced criticism and controversy from some of their readers and contributors, who accuse them of being biased, sensationalist, or divisive. Some surf organizations, such as the WSL, have also faced challenges and difficulties in enforcing and monitoring their policies and guidelines, and in dealing with the potential legal and ethical implications of their decisions.
The controversy has also exposed the divisions and tensions that exist within the surf community, and the different views and values that surfers have on the issue of transgender athletes. Some surfers, such as Lowerson and her supporters, have expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the surf industry and the surf community for their acceptance and encouragement, and have shared their joy and passion for surfing. Some surfers, such as Hamilton and her supporters, have expressed their frustration and disappointment with the surf industry and the surf community for their lack of understanding and respect, and have defended their beliefs and convictions. Some surfers, however, have also expressed their confusion and ambivalence about the issue, and have sought more information and education on the topic.
The issue of transgender athletes in surfing is not likely to be resolved anytime soon, as it is a complex and evolving issue that involves multiple stakeholders, interests, and perspectives. It is also an issue that reflects the broader social and cultural changes and challenges that are taking place in the world today, and that affect not only sports, but also other aspects of life, such as education, health, politics, and religion.
The surf industry and the surf community, therefore, have an opportunity and a responsibility to address and engage with this issue in a responsible and respectful manner, and to contribute to the advancement and enrichment of surfing as a sport, a culture, and a lifestyle. By doing so, they can also demonstrate and celebrate the core values and virtues of surfing, such as freedom, creativity, courage, and harmony, and the unique and universal appeal of surfing, as a source of fun, joy, and inspiration for all.
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