Rip Curl faces backlash after using transgender biological man to promote women’s surfing

Australian surfing brand Rip Curl has used a transgender biological man to represent women’s surfing. Sasha Lowerson, 44, has been featured on the Rip Curl Women’s Instagram to promote women’s surfing in Australia. In an Instagram post, the brand described the biological man as a ‘Waterwoman’ and used the hashtag #RipCurlWomen in a video of the surfer riding waves while wearing women’s swimwear. The trans surfer previously said he was initially hesitant to compete in women’s surfing due to “fears of rejection and even the threat of violence.” It comes just months after Rip Curl dropped former brand ambassador Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arms in a shark attack – reportedly over her opposition to transgender people competing in women’s sport.