Bethany Hamilton Boycotting World Surf League for Letting Transgender Women Compete

Bethany Hamilton has decided not to participate in the upcoming World Surf League events.

If you don’t know, the 33-year-old was the victim of a 2003 shark attack, where she lost one of her arms. She came back with extreme resilience to continue her celebrated surfing career.

The WSL recently announced that it would be adopting the International Surfing Association’s policy on transgender participation, which requires trans-female athletes seeking to compete in the women’s division to maintain a testosterone level of less than five nonomoles per liter (nmol/L) for at least 12 months.

Bethany – who is a devout Christian – has decided to boycott the events because of this decision.

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“Is a hormone level an honest and accurate depiction that someone indeed is a male or female? Is it as simple as this?” Bethany questioned in a video posted to her Instagram earlier this week. “Am I just a hormone number? Is it as simple as that?”

“I personally won’t be competing in or supporting the World Surf League if this rule remains,” Bethany added.

Bethany went on to say that the new rule “concerns” her as a professional athlete, who has competed for the WSL for over 15 years. She also suggested a separate division be created for trans women.

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,” Bethany said.

On Monday (February 6), the WSL released a statement that they made the policy change to align with the Olympic guidelines.

“The WSL is working to balance equity and fairness, and we will continue to evaluate the policy in the months and years ahead as more research, information, and feedback are available,” the WSL wrote.

In a follow-up video, Bethany addressed backlash over her comments.

“I really don’t think at this point there is a solution that will please everyone. There are different world views and that is part of life,” Bethany shared. “I may not have the perfect answer. But I do feel the way I do and will continue to stand firm in what I shared here.”

Bethany continued, “I strive to have love for all of mankind, regardless of any differences. But this concerns me as a professional athlete that has been competing in World Surf League contests for the past 15-plus years, and I feel that I must speak up for those in a position who feel they cannot say something about this.”

Then in the comments, Bethany wrote, “Women had a long journey in surfing to get where we are and with the amount of evidence that transgender male bodied athletes scientifically have a very different structure and strength. Im not about excluding anyone, but you have to draw the line somewhere and for me its here. Separate division is all I got at this point. And it may take time but we all waited for this time to shine too.”

In recent years, Caitlyn Jenner has had a lot to say about trans athletes.