American surfing icon threatens boycott over new transgender policy

American surfing icon Bethany Hamilton says she will boycott the professional tour over new guidelines about transgender competitors.

Her statement in an Instagram video follows the World Surf League (WSL) announcing it will adopt the policies of the International Surfing Association (ISA) when it comes to transgender athletes.

The ISA updated its laws in October to state athletes who are assigned male at birth must maintain a testosterone level less than five nmol/L (nanomoles per litre) for 12 months to be eligible for a women's event.

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Athletes are asked to organise testing themselves and then consult the WSL's chief medical officer in order to qualify.

"The WSL is working hard to balance equity and fairness and it's important for a policy to be in place," WSL chief Jessi Miley-Dyer told The Inertia.

"We recognise that the policy may need to evolve over time as we get feedback and see new research in the field."

But that's seemingly not good enough for Hamilton, 32, who says, "I personally won't be competing in or supporting the World Surf League if this rule remains".

Hamilton is steadfast in her belief athletes who were born a male should not be allowed to compete professionally against women.

Hamilton is a high-profile WSL athlete. She had her left arm bitten off by a tiger shark when she was 13 years old, and has released a number of books and been the subject of feature films and documentaries.

"This concerns me as a professional athlete who has been competing for the last 15-plus years," Hamilton said on Instagram about the transgender policy.

"I feel I need to stand up and speak up for those in a position that may feel they can't say something about this.

"I think many of the girls who are on tour are not in support of this new rule, and they fear being ostracised if they speak up.

"How is this rule playing out in other sports, like swimming, running, and MMA?

"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? Should there be a conversation?

"Is a hormone level an honest and accurate depiction that someone indeed is a male or female? Is it as simple as this?

"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?

"I personally think that the best solution would be to create a different division so that all can have a fair opportunity to showcase their passion and talent, and I think it's really hard to imagine what the future of women's surfing will be like in 15-20 years down the road if we move forward allowing this major change."

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