Tyler with Rising Tides in UAE on the eve of the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro Photo: WSL
Last week Tyler Wright was photographed happily walking hand in hand on the beach with her wife Lilli in Hawaii for the Pipe Pro, which Tyler won. Fast forward a week and the WSL train rolls into UAE, for the next spot on the World Tour, the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro.
All eyes were on Tyler, the only openly queer person on the World Tour, to see whether she would compete in a country which discriminates against women and where homosexuality is illegal. She’s decided to, so what does Tyler have to say about surfing in this controversial contest which starts tomorrow?
Today Tyler put out a comment which said;
“I’ve been working with the appropriate teams in the UAE as well as the WSL and am assured that I will be competing in a safe environment.
Competing around the world has been a job for a long time. Over the years, I’ve seen the impact of women’s tour and programmes like WSL Rising Tide and how they have inspired a generation of women and many to come.
Yesterday I had the privilege of sharing the love of surfing with the WSL Rising Tides girls who had never surfed before. The abundant collective joy in that session was truly memorable.
Sport has a beautiful and powerful way of fostering connection, community and representation. “If you can see it, you can be it.” That’s something that has remained important to me throughout my career.”
Tyler’s stance is one which is hoping to push for progress in UAE, which is totally commendable, however it could also be said that she’s paying a high price to surf this wave pool. Whatever the outcome we wish you well Tyler, you’re a total inspiration in and out of the water.
