California officials force surfing org to allow biological males to compete in women’s events

A California surfing association was required by state officials to reverse its decision to ban males from competing as women in its events.

It happened in April, after Sasha Lowerson, a biological man who previously competed in the men’s events, attempted to register for the women’s event at the Huntington Beach Longboard Pro.

This prompted a public response from the event organizer, Todd Messick, who took to Instagram to clarify the tournament’s rules. 

“Right now, we’re going to support biological males and biological females in their divisions respectively,” Messick wrote, according to The Advocate. “If you are born a female, you enter into the women’s. If you are born a male, you enter into the men’s. 

“You guys can live however you want to do in life. That’s not for me to decide. It is for me to decide what’s fair and not fair for the American Longboarding Association.” 

However, the California Coastal Commission, an entity of the state government, sent Messick a letter claiming that any prohibition on transgender athletes would breach state law and could lead to the event’s cancellation. 

“This ban is not consistent with the public access, recreation, and environmental justice policies of the Coastal Act, nor is it consistent with the transgender policies adopted by the World Surf League (WSL) and International Surfing Association (ISA),” the letter stated, according to Fox News. 

“Commission staff are particularly concerned that the Huntington Beach Longboard Pro may limit access to an area of state waters for an event that does not provide equitable access to all competitors. Compliance with the policies of the WSL and ISA would serve to preserve public recreational opportunities for all people, which is a requirement of the California Coastal Act.” 

Despite the official mandate allowing Lowerson to compete, he decided not to participate in the event. 

Last year, the WSL implemented a policy permitting transgender women (born male) to compete in women’s events provided they adhere to specified testosterone levels for a year. 

That decision sparked dissent from some professional surfers, including Bethany Hamilton, who voiced concerns about its implications and fairness. 

“Many of the girls currently on tour are not in support of this new rule, and they fear being ostracised if they speak up,” Hamilton said, according to the BBC. “Is a hormone level an accurate depiction of whether someone is male or female?” 

Hamilton and other women’s sports advocates argue males have inherent physiological advantages based on scientific evidence and competition outcomes. Messick echoed this sentiment, claiming support from many female surfers.