Professional female surfers wearing high-cut bikini bottoms have been given reassurance their backsides won’t be broadcast around the world. At least not close ups.
According to Stab Magazine, the World Surf League has attempted to get out in front of the #metoo movement by asking the camera people filming its events not to zoom in on competitors, News Ltd papers report.
“The World Surf League met on the Gold Coast during the Quiksilver Pro and sexual harassment was the number one topic for their human resource department,” Stab was quoted as saying
“The meeting was a refresher on the rules and responsibilities of all WSL employees, a scenario taking place at big businesses around the world.
“No inappropriate jokes. No leering at colleagues or competitors. Absolute gender equality in all parts of the operation.
“All cinematographers have been instructed to exercise discretion while shooting the women’s heats. Cinematographers must be careful to be zoomed out during bottom turns or duck dives.
“A live broadcast means there’s no time for editing so all camera operators need to use common sense when shooting. That means wide shots of any competitors in skimpy swimwear. Girls who surf in boardshorts will feature larger on screen than those in bikinis.
Australian stars Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons have been wearing shorts in their heats at Snapper Rocks this week but other female competitors, like Tyler Wright and Lakey Peterson, are in bikini bottoms.
But some readers weren’t convinced it was the right way to tackle the situation.
“So they’re not going to try to wear things less revealing or anything, they’re going to control camera angles to make sure no one sees too much of what they’re freely exposing,” one wrote.
“Watch their ratings wipe out this year,” wrote another.
In a statement, the WSL told news.com.au it “regularly trains its staff in code of conduct and employee enhancement programs. We hold our staff, content, and organisation to high standards across the board”.
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