77961

The decision by the World Surf League (WSL) to include artificial wave attraction Surf Abu Dhabi in its newly announced 2025 tour schedule has been strongly opposed by the queer surf community who have expressed concerns for LGBTQIA+ athletes and fans due to human rights concerns in the Emirate.

As a result, a petition has been launched by three surf groups - Queer Surf Club, Surf Equity and Wave Wahines CIC - demanding the WSL removes Abu Dhabi from the tour until a safe environment can be guaranteed for every athlete and fan.

Now fully operational and open for major events as well as the public, Surf Abu Dhabi, home of the world’s biggest artificial wave is the latest project from the Kelly Slater Wave Co - a company in which the WSL acquired a majority stake in in 2016.

However, with same-sex relationships criminalised under both civil and Sharia law in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), individuals are vulnerable to severe penalties including capital punishment. In addition, transgender identities remain unrecognised under the law, and discriminatory regulations actively suppress expressions of gender nonconformity, perpetuating harm against marginalised communities.

This has a particular impact on Australian pro-surfer and Olympian Tyler Wright, who has competed on the tour for over 14 years and for the last four has worn the progress flag on her sleeve, and identifies as bisexual.

The WSL’s decision to include Abu Dhabi in its 2025 tour schedule is believed to be impacting Wright. However, the surfer is unable to comment on the matter due to a contractual clause prohibiting her from ‘casting the WSL in a negative light’.

Explaining the groups’ concerns, Frazer Riley, founder of the Queer Surf Club, stated “we do not support the WSL’s selection of Abu Dhabi as a 2025 tour location, in a country where homosexuality is punishable by death and trans identities are not legally recognised.

“Against all of their supposed Diversity and Inclusion commitments, this decision by the WSL puts their LGBTQIA+ athletes, support teams and spectators at risk, and goes against everything we believe the sport of surfing stands for; peace, inclusivity and accessibility for all.

“We stand in solidarity with Tyler Wright and with all LGBTQIA+ people globally living under oppression.”

Other groups are also expressing their concerns with a petition demanding Abu Dhabi be removed from the tour having garnered the support of over 35 surf groups from Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States, alongside more than 900 individual signatories, and the numbers continue to grow.

Sabrina Brennan, founder and Director of Surf Equity, and Co-Founder of Committee for Equity in Women’s Surfing, noted “by holding competitions in Abu Dhabi, the WSL is forcing LGBTQIA+ athletes to compete in a location where their identity could put them at risk of imprisonment.”

The WSL, which promotes itself as a progressive, trans, earth, indigenous people friendly organisation, has long battled accusations it doesn’t deliver on its social justice and environmental commitments.

Collaborating with Controversial Governments
A bombshell report by an investigative reporter over WSL’s involvement in the UAE as well as El Salvador, has criticised the governing body for not adhering to its principles and commitments.

The recently published article, ‘Abu Dhabi is betting big on surfing’ on the Sports Politika website says Surf Abu Dhabi is the “latest example of its use of sports as a form of soft power.”

Sports Politika Karim Zidan argues that “the carefully manicured PR campaign fusing surfing and the desert is part of Abu Dhabi’s latest attempt to present itself at the nexus of sports, entertainment, and luxury tourism

“While major organizations like the NBA and UFC have faced criticism for partnering with a country accused of significant human rights violations - including harsh sentences for dissidents, exploitation of migrant workers, and involvement in violent conflicts in Syria, Sudan, and Yemen -the World Surf League (WSL) has largely avoided similar scrutiny. This is partly due to its niche audience and lower media visibility.

“However, the WSL has shown little hesitation in collaborating with controversial governments to further its goals. For example, it hosts several events in El Salvador, a nation led by a president who proudly refers to himself as the ‘world’s coolest dictator’. The WSL has also added an Abu Dhabi stop to its marquee Championship Tour in 2025, meaning that the Emirate will continue to be featured as a premier professional surfing destination.”

Last year, journalist Chas Smith wrote also criticised the WSL, writing on the Beach Grit website “the World Surf League, self-billed ‘global home of surfing’, is not shy when it comes to burnishing its environmental bona fides.

“Talking points sent down from twin chiefs Erik Logan and Jessi Miley-Dyer include referring to the ocean as ‘office, home and playground’ thereby necessitating preservation.

“Action items involve coordinating planting a bush in Western Australia.

“But behind the scenes, deals are struck with landfill-ready, carbon spewing Chinese SUVs and any other company willing to open a chequebook in order to be covered by a green wave.”

Related Articles

2nd November 2024 - Surf Park Central survey reveals that 83% of artificial wave attraction users are male

15th October 2024 - Plans announced for replica of Las Vegas’s Sphere arena to be built in Abu Dhabi

15th October 2024 - Miral reveals expansion of Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi more than 50% complete

28th September 2024 - Unique skydiving stunt precedes Surf Abu Dhabi’s first event

18th August 2024 - Surf Abu Dhabi announces October opening and hosting of 2025 World Surf League event

28th April 2024 - World Surf League championship tour to return to Snapper Rocks in 2025

30th January 2024 - Human Rights Watch spotlights possible deportation of rock band from Thailand to Russia

17th January 2024 - URBNSURF Melbourne to host 2024 BYD Pro QS3000 World Surf League event

3rd December 2023 - IAAPA prepares to host Middle East Trade Summit in Abu Dhabi

20th October 2023 - UFC extends deal for Abu Dhabi fight deal for five more years

24th July 2023 - The 1975 cancels Indonesia and Taiwan shows after row over Malaysia’s LGBT laws

15th July 2023 - World’s largest wave pool and surf park set to open in Abu Dhabi before end of 2023

11th July 2023 - Double Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya wins appeal at European Court of Human Rights

19th June 2023 - Survey reveals LGBTQ+ staff lack resources and support for safe work travel

4th May 2023 - Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island names Aquaman actor Jason Momoa as its new ‘Chief Island Officer’

1st August 2022 - World Surf League fans frustrated with cancellation of 2022 Quiksilver / ROXY Pro France

21st February 2022 - World Surf League announces three-year Australian events sponsorship with Coopers brewery

17th November 2021 - World Surf League announces four consecutive months of competitions in Australia in 2022

17th November 2021 - Human Rights Commission releases guidelines to address spectator racism in sport

31st October 2021 - World Surf League to extend education partnership with Bond University

15th May 2021 - Western Australia hosts its second world surfing championship in 2021

28th January 2021 - MKTG partners with World Surf League Australia

6th October 2020 - Queenslanders invited to comment on the preservation of their World Surfing Reserves

16th January 2020 - World Surf League announces Chief Executive change

11th October 2019 - World Surf League agrees 10-year partnership with surfers’ representative body

7th June 2019 - World Surf League reveals plan to become carbon neutral and eliminate plastic use this year

14th June 2019 - Sporting clubs and organisations recognised for LGBTQ inclusion

4th April 2019 - Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve secures 2020 Global Wave Conference 

26th February 2019 - Margaret River Pro to remain on World Surf League schedule despite shark fears

19th November 2018 - World Surf League announces Commercial Director appointment

13th September 2018 - World Surf League hires former Disney executive to lead wave technology business

7th September 2018 - World Surf League stages first Tour event using artificial wave technology

6th September 2018 - World Surf League makes commitment to prize money equality

6th September 2018 - Former world surfing chief executive named Tourism WA Managing Director

1st February 2018 - Noosa’s surf breaks declared World Surfing Reserve

29th November 2017 - 2018 World Surf League calendar to include artificial wave park venue

14th August 2017 - Human rights group welcomes Saudi Arabian reform on school sport for girls

26th May 2016 - Kelly Slater sells artificial wave venture to the World Surf League

16th October 2015 - Gold Coast announced as the 8th World Surfing Reserve

14th October 2015 - Double chance for Queensland in World Surfing Reserve bids

23rd September 2014 - Black Fins secure second world surf lifesaving title

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.