Popular pro surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm during a shark attack when she was a teen, has come out against transgender activists who want to allow biological men identifying as women to compete in all-female events, vowing to quit the sport if the new rule stands.
The World Surf League announced last week that it would immediately adopt an October 2022 policy put forth by the International Surfing Association allowing men to compete against women so long as they fall under a certain testosterone level for at least a year and follow other requirements the league imposes, according to LifeSiteNews.
Hamilton, who is ardent about her Christian faith, announced on Sunday she will no longer compete in the league if the rule stands.
“I think many of the girls currently on tour are not in support [of] this new rule, and they fear being ostracized if they speak up,” the surfer noted in an Instagram video reacting to the league’s early February announcement. “So, here I go.”
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Beginning by affirming that she “strive[s] to have love for all of mankind regardless of any differences,” the pro surfer nevertheless said she has concerns about the decision and went on to express them, going on to reference her 15 years of professional surfing experience.
“Questions I have that I want to consider with you,” she began. “How is this rule playing out in other sports like swimming, running, MMA [Mixed Martial Arts]?”
“Have any of the current surfers in the World Surf League been asked what their thoughts and opinions are on this new rule before it was passed or announced?” she added. “Should there be a conversation with the 17 women and all of the men on tour prior to a rule change such as this?”
Hamilton also asked whether a blood chemical analysis of hormones is really the best way to understand and appropriately assess gender when it comes to sports performances.
“Is a hormone level an honest and accurate depiction that someone indeed is a male or female? Is it as simple as this?” she asked. “Who is pushing for this huge change? Does this better the sport of surfing? Is this better for the women in surfing? If so, how?”
She added it is “really hard to imagine what the future of women’s surfing will be like in 15 to 20 years down the road if we move forward allowing this major change,” though she noted that “glimpses” of that situation have already been seen as biological men have been dominating female competitors in other sports like “running, swimming, and others.”
“My hope is that if I ever have a daughter who is competing in surfing or any sport, and also for all the aspiring young generation of women, to have a bright and promising opportunity in her ambition to be the best of the best women in her sport,” Hamilton said.
In conclusion, the pro surfer pledged she would not continue to compete in or support WSL events “if this rule remains.”
