LGBTQI surfers unhappy at WSL tour's inclusion of Abu Dhabi leg

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.”