Aussie surf star Tyler Wright reveals Pride flag jersey for 2021 Surf Tour

Aussie star Tyler Wright has wowed the surfing world with a two-flag jersey that’s revealed her true self after a 10-year secret.

World Surfing champion Tyler Wright in Hawaii. Photo: Steve Morrisette, Rip Curl.

Aussie star Tyler Wright has wowed the surfing world with a huge splash on the opening day of the Maui Pro.

Wright took to the water in a specially designed surf jersey that included a Pride flag and Australian flag stitched into the rash vest.

The two-time World champion released a statement on her Instagram page before the event, where she revealed to the wider surfing world she is “a proud bisexual woman of the LGBTQ+ community”.

The 26-year-old on Tuesday (AEDT) became the first person in surfing to compete under the Pride flag.

She follows 2019 Women’s Big Wave World Title winner Keala Kennelly who has previously competed as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Wright was just as impressive in the water at Honolua Bay as she was in her role as a sporting ambassador, racing through to the semi-finals of the event where she knocked out fellow Aussie Stephanie Gilmore in the quarter-finals.

World Champion Tyler Wright.

However, it was her Instagram post that overshadowed her impressive performances.

“Today for me feels like another step in my realisation of my true and authentic self,” she wrote in the message for the beginning of her World Surf League 2020-21 Tour campaign.

“As a proud bisexual woman of the LGBTQ+ community as well as an Australian, I’m delighted to be able to represent both this year on my competition jersey.

“The number change to 23 represents, to me, a new phase of my career and my growth as a human. The Progress pride flag represents a love that opened my eyes more to who I really am.”

Wright went public with her sexuality last year in episode of 60 Minutes where she discussed her relationship with former partner and singer Alex Lynn.

Wright said during the story that she kept the relationship quiet. Only a few friends and her family, including surf star brother Owen, knew about it.

She has now told USA Today she hopes her example will inspire others.

“I don’t want to say I was hiding before, but now I am encouraged enough to lean into who I am,” Wright said.

“I’m not scared to say, ‘Look, this is what I stand for.’ I want to show others that surfing can be a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ athletes.

“I have an opportunity to show up and be exactly who I am.

“This is how I want to show up in my surfing. I want to show up with my humanity first and foremost and with my values. My values are equality and inclusion, that’s what I want to represent.”

Surfing’s culture on professional tours has come under attack in recent years, but the WSL issued a brief statement on Tuesday to praise Wright for her move.

“The WSL proudly supports Tyler in using her platform as a World Champion and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community to express a message of inclusivity. We believe surfing is for everyone and are incredibly proud of our athletes,” the statement claimed.

Wright only returned to surfing last year after a 17-month absence through illness.

She was initially diagnosed with Influenza A when she fell ill and was hospitalised in South Africa before the 2018 J-Bay Open.

However, complications continued to plague her and frustrate her efforts to get back on tour.

Her form since her return shows she has lost none of her talent.

She explained more details of her decision to wear the Pride flag on Instagram, where she revealed it is much more than a token gesture.

Former Lennox Head surfer Tyler Wright will be part of the World Surf League tour restructure next year. Photo Matt Dunbar.

“After a decade and two world titles, I’ve been evaluating what I do with my life and surfing career but more importantly, WHY I do it,” she wrote.

“I want to win. I will win so I can continue to use this platform as a place to have conversations about identity, humanity and inclusivity. I’m blessed to able to have a platform in the @WSL, and I feel a responsibility to use it in a way to give voice and empower others.

“Hopefully, I can encourage others to embrace exactly who they are and to feel safe, expressing that in a way that is best for them.

“I’m looking forward to what I can accomplish this season and the conversations we can have as a community. I’m surfing with more intention than ever before.”

She signed off the message: “I have been truly loved and seen in this life, and it’s a sort of love that makes me feel like I can be exactly who I am. Forever humbled and always learning”.