Rumor: World Surf League strikes back at Bethany Hamilton after star vows boycott over new trans-inclusive policy, outlaws “celebration” of her name during annual International Women’s Day ritual!

Welcome to the culture war.

The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal will open its curtains in exactly seven days which also just so happens to coincide with International Women’s Day. The March 8th extravaganza is celebrated the world over in various and sundry ways. Marches, rallies, powerful speeches etc. and is celebrated by the World Surf League with the men wearing a jersey imprinted with the name of an inspirational woman.

Powerful.

And, last year, the most inspirational Bethany Hamilton was chosen by Owen Wright, Conner Coffin and Griffin Colapinto.

Well.

You certainly recall, last month, when the World Surf League quietly announced a change allowing for transgender athletes to compete at the highest level of the sport. Bethany Hamilton joined a chorus of frustrated voices and in a to-camera piece, declared that she would be boycotting the WSL until the policy was undone.

The World Surf League, as a body, remained mum on the outcry, which received mainstream coverage. Chief of Executives Erik Logan even declared that he “respected her views” in a recent interview telegraphing “seismic changes.”

Except.

Rumor has it, from a well-placed source, that Hamilton’s name has been outlawed even though a fair number of surfers requested it.

Banned.

If true, it seems lightly wild that the World Surf League would be so… passive aggressively vindictive and small.

Oh wait. It doesn’t. But which name would you select if you were surfing the MEO Rip Curl Portugal Pro?

Fun.