What are you focusing on this week after the policy change?
It's pretty noisy in the surf world this week. We’ve got a lot of the far right just going mental. I’m just weathering out the storm. The positive side of it is the number of allies that have popped their head up just in the past 24 hours for me. The women who have stood up and said, “We’ve surfed against Sasha, and she’s awesome,” and “regardless of gender, she’s an amazing surfer.” One girl said, “She smashed me in one final, and then I got her in the next, and it's no different than surfing with any other girl.” It's just weathering the storm of bigotry at the moment, and having good allies who are willing to stand up with us.
What is it like to be at the front of this movement?
I’ve, luckily, got a really large support system. I’ve got my boundaries. Right now, I’m off social media. I basically turn it off for my own safety and mental health to be able to perform. My biggest goal is to do what I do respectfully, with integrity and pride. Hopefully, I can set a good example for the next generation. And build a road for the next lot of girls to walk down. For me, that's really important because I didn’t have any role models. I endured a lot of hurt and trauma because I never thought this was possible. If I can help one girl, I’m successful.
What opportunities are you going to pursue now that this policy has changed? Does this policy change any of your plans for the season?
My plan is to be a role model and build a pathway. It's going to allow a pathway by my inclusion that's opening up a pathway for girls in the future. That's my whole goal, to build the road for the future to walk down. I’ve been a professional longboard surfer for many years. And in that time, I hid in the closet basically. I tried to transition at 19 and again at 29. And now, in my early 40’s, I’ve been successful.
How does your trans experience reflect in surfing, do you experience any trans joy specific to your sport?
