Surfing icon Bethany Hamilton has spoken out against new guidelines on transgender competitors and says she will boycott the professional tour.
The World Surf League (WSL) announced it would be adopting new policies when it comes to transgender athletes based on the policies of the International Surfing Association (ISA).
In October the ISA stated that athletes who were assigned the male gender at birth would have to maintain a testosterone level of less than five nmol/L (nanomoles per litre) for 12 months before gaining eligibility for women’s events.
Hamilton, whose harrowing shark attack story was adapted into the 2011 feature film Soul Surfer, spoke out against the decision.
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The American is steadfast in her beliefs that athletes born male should not be able to compete against women in a professional setting.
The 32-year-old claimed she would be boycotting the World Surf League if the new rule remained.
She said on Instagram: “This concerns me as a professional athlete who has been competing for the last 15-plus years.
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"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?”
The current WSL policy would see athletes organise testing themselves before consulting with the WSL’s chief medical officer in order to qualify.
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WSL chief Jessi Miley-Dyer admitted that the policy may need to adapt over time as new research and feedback came in.
However, Hamilton doesn’t believe the implementation of the policy would benefit the sport of surfing.
She continued: "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."
Hamilton is one of the most high-profile athletes in the WSL.
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She had her arm bitten off by a tiger shark when she was just 13 years old, however, returned to the sport less than a month after the incident.
Topics: Surfing
Jayden Collins