Surf legend Bethany Hamilton rips California officials after competition reverses stance on trans athletes

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American surfing legend Bethany Hamilton has called out officials in California after organizers of a competition in Huntington Beach were told a transgender surfer must be allowed to compete in the women’s division. 

Hamilton, 32, posted a message on social media Friday about the controversy surrounding the inaugural Huntington Beach Longboard Pro in California this weekend after reports revealed the event’s organizers were forced to reverse their stance on transgender athletes or risk having it canceled. 

Bethany Hamilton of Hawaii surfs in Heat 5 of the Round of 16 at the Billabong Pro Pipeline Feb. 2, 2022, in Haleiwa, Hawaii.  (Brent Bielmann/World Surf League via Getty Images)

"California state law allows for males in female surfing events," she said in a post on X. "This is not fair game. I do not support this."

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The California Coastal Commission sent a letter to Todd Messick, founder of the American Longboard Association, this week to inform him that he would be in violation of the Coastal Act if a ban on transgender athletes was enforced at his event Saturday. 

"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.  

"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