First Transgender Woman To Compete In Surfing Wins WA Longboard Event - Stab Mag
8083 Views
Sasha Jane Lowerson on the nose. Photo: Surfing WA/ Majeks

First Transgender Woman To Compete In Surfing Wins WA Longboard Event

History has been written

news // May 20, 2022
Words by Coral McDuffee
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ed note: We should have said this earlier, but regardless of your opinion on this matter, please keep it civil.

The first transgender woman to compete in surfing* claimed multiple titles at the West Oz Longboard and Logger State Championships. Sasha Jane Lowerson, a 43-year-old, won the men’s division at the same contest three years prior. 

Sasha (then Ryan Egan) also competed on the WSL Men’s longboard tour from 2015-2020, where her best season-end finish was 11th. 

Yesterday, Sasha took out both the Open Women’s (high performance) and Open Women’s Logger (old -school fancy footwork) division. 

After crowning their new Women’s dual State Title holder, Surfing WA (the event host) commented, “Lowerson looked right at home in the long running lefts on offer, picking off the best waves on offer, which allowed her to display a full repertoire of footwork and turns on her way to some excellent scores.”

Women’s Open Division Finalists. Photo: Surfing WA

See the results and scoreboard below: 

Open Women’s Logger:
1. Sasha Jane Lowerson (Mandurah) – 13.97
2. Emily Gibbs (Dunsborough) – 11.37
3. Georgia Young (Perth) – 10.73                                                                 
4. Shae Sheridan (Dunsborough) – 7.57

 Open Women’s
1. Sasha Jane Lowerson (Mandurah) – 14.70
2. Georgia Young (Perth) – 10.63
3. Samantha Vanderford (Greenhead) – 9.27                                                                   
4. Shae Sheridan (Dunsborough) – 8.67

“To be the first transgender woman competing in surfing hasn’t been an easy ride emotionally,”  Lowerson told Surfing WA. “But the amount of support I’ve been shown has been phenomenal and I’m so grateful to be involved, welcomed and embraced within the longboard community in Australia.” 

For the first time, a transgender victor in the surf scene has popped on our radar. However, in other competitive arenas (like the NCAA, MMA, WMBA, NWHL, & Olympics), this is becoming a regular occurrence, especially in more stagnant waters. 

A couple months ago, Lia Thomas, finished a 500-yard freestyle in 4 minutes and 33.24 seconds, making her the first known transgender athlete to win a Division 1 National Championship. Her success drew both praise and criticism. 

Notably, the CWA (Concerned Women for America) filed a formal Civil Rights Complaint against the University of Pennsylvania stating, “[Thomas has] physical capacities that are different from anatomically and biologically female athletes, which extends an unfair advantage and strips female student-athletes of opportunities afforded to them by law.”  

The classic drop-knee cutback. Photo: Surfing WA

Surfing Australia, the contest host’s parent organization recently released an Inclusion in Sport Policy for transgender and gender diverse people. 

(PT 7.3)  Non-binary people are welcome and encouraged to participate in surfing competitions. Surfing Australia and Australian Surfing Organisations are encouraged to provide opportunities for mixed or gender-neutral events where possible. From a competition standpoint, where it is not possible to conduct mixed or gender-neutral events, Non-Binary people can participate based on their Sex assigned at birth or under the gender category of male or female that most affirms their gender.

This is a developing story. 

*That we’re aware of. 

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Maxed Out In France

Massive swell provides both ample playing field and entertainment for second day of competition at…

Sep 28, 2023

Is Australia’s Investment In Youth Surfing Working? A HP Coach Breaks Down The Model 

Watch: ‘Limitless’ ft Lennix Smith, Hughie Vaughan, Sierra Kerr and Isi Campbell and decide for…

Sep 28, 2023

Who Makes The Best Surfboards In 2023?

According to our survey of 7000 people, you and Italo might have similar taste. 

Sep 28, 2023

A Tube Festival Within A Festival

Two-for-one deals all day at the Quiksilver Festival.

Sep 27, 2023

Full Frame: “There’s No Lineups, It’s Breaking All Over, You Just Have To Be In The Right Place At The Right Time When A Bomb Comes In”

Brett Barley on Hatteras Island, by Daniel Pullen

Sep 27, 2023

Long Read: Stradbroke In The Subcontinent

Chasing beachbreak bliss in Prohibition-era India.

Sep 27, 2023

Stab Recommends: Xcel Comp X Fullsuit

A suit that increases blood-flow and protects against burglars.

Sep 27, 2023

How Kipp Caddy Got KO’d + Tore His Hamstring Paddling An Outer-Reef Bombie

It involves a friend’s 8'4" spearing him in the head…

Sep 26, 2023

How Surfers Get Paid Season 2, Episode 2

Loyalty and the Royalty of the Performance Surfboard.

Sep 25, 2023

The Surprising Link Between Neoprene And The USA’s ‘Cancer Alley’

A forthcoming documentary called 'The Big Sea' will change how you look at wetsuits.

Sep 25, 2023

Radioactive Wastewater From Fukushima’s Nuclear Power Plant Is Being Dumped In The Pacific Ocean

What does releasing 500 Olympic swimming pools of fission fondue mean for surfing? 

Sep 24, 2023

Meet Aranui 5: The 126m, 103-Cabin Luxury Cruise Ship & Home To Olympic Surfers At Teahupo’o 2024

Who's gonna get the Presidential Suite?

Sep 23, 2023

Here’s How The Surfers Feel About The 2024 Schedule

Kelly Slater, Caroline Marks, and nine other CTers share their thoughts.

Sep 22, 2023

Risk Reward: The Dickhead Index

Sam McIntosh explains Stab's business model in light of a recent editorial slip.

Sep 22, 2023

Surfing’s Chief Of Sport Explains Why The WSL Finals Will Remain At Lower Trestles

The Stab Interview: Jessi Miley-Dyer

Sep 20, 2023

Full Frame: A Loaded Scoop Of Emerald Green

Russell Bierke in Ireland, by Arthur Picard.

Sep 20, 2023

Quiksilver Is About To Throw A Week-Long Party In France And Your Name Is On The Guest List

Want to see Clay Marzo, Sierra Kerr, Noa Deane, and more compete against world champs?…

Sep 20, 2023

Cloudbreak’s Back, Trestles Remains, J-Bay And Surf Ranch Gone

Here's the WSL's 2024 Championship Tour schedule.

Sep 20, 2023
Advertisement