“Switch” Queer Surf Exhibition Takes Pacifica

THE INAUGURAL SWITCH QUEER SURF EXHIBITION TAKES PLACE JUNE 17. ON A SUNNY MORNING IN BRAZIL, WE SAT DOWN WITH BENNY’S CLUB CO-FOUNDER MOMO OTANI-HUDES (HE/THEY) TO LEARN ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND EVENT.

What is the Switch elevator pitch?

In response to the current wave of transphobia and homophobia that has always existed within surf culture, and with the passing of WSL's policy, we of Benny's Club and Queer Surf are trying to showcase queer surfers for who we are. Because I think a lot of what's happening right now is obviously a lot of ignorance and bigoted f*cking whatever, but I also think it's just misinformation.

People have never actually been around queer people. They don't even know what they look like besides whatever stereotype they assume. There's such a sense of "other.” I see this in the comments. A big thing was that “trans people are a threat.” We want to showcase that queer surfers exist, we aren’t a threat, and also, we can shred. We're literally just trying to have fun. The main reason you don't see us competing is because, like, we don't care for that sh*t. We just wanna surf. 

Most of your events are focused on core community and allies, whereas this is more of a public-facing event. What does the “exhibition” concept mean to you?

It's a showcase. We're here. We want people to know we exist, and we shred a little. We have fun. No matter what views you have and whether or not you support trans people or queer people, you can't deny the fact that we exist. We are living and breathing and we're not going anywhere. 

I think a lot of what's happening right now is obviously a lot of ignorance…but I also think it's just misinformation.

What’s the format of the contest?

We are running this contest peer review style. No proper judges. The contestants get to decide. Our judging criteria — they're pretty sexual: longest stamina, most expressive turn, gayest takeoff. Kiss? I don't know what that means. Eggiest, most clockable maneuver. Do you follow? Then we have most fun looking wave, best kick out, most emotional climax, most stylistic. Non-judgmental judging criteria. We're just making up our own rules.

There is no board requirement. You can ride on any surf device, or not; bodysurfing, any form of wave riding is accepted. We're just trying to have fun and just show what we can do. 

We want to showcase that queer surfers exist, we aren’t a threat, and also, we can shred. We’re literally just trying to have fun.

What’s the future of the Queer Surf Exhibition?

Right now we're seeing queer people are a little shy and a little humble, and it makes sense in the environment that we're trying to operate in. We have some pretty good surfers coming and a solid number of contestants, but we kind of want to see some rando surfer come out of the woodwork and show us what they got. Maybe someone closeted, whatever. We want to encourage those people. 

This is going to be a series going forward. We are expanding surf culture and providing an opportunity for trans and nonbinary folks to compete for the very first time in an organized format, because there is no other venue for them. This is a celebration of what is possible for queer surfing in a safer, non-gendered environment.

Should allies feel welcome to come out to Switch?

Anyone can come watch. Safe space. 

What do you say to those who advocate for trans surfers to “compete in their own division?”

We say...I mean, that's literally what we're doing. We're actually already on that sh*t. You don't need to tell us twice. We don't want to compete with y'all. Y'all have so much sh*t to work through. We got it. We know ourselves. We're happy.