Tempest in exclusive teapot.
Bethany Hamilton is, arguably, the most well-known surfer on the entire planet. Under belt, the Kauai local has a major motion picture, best-selling book and story that beats all comers. Kelly Slater be damned with none of that save fan art. Hamilton, an up and coming pro junior, was famously mauled by a tiger shark when 13-years-old. Arm lost. Instead of never touching the ocean again like you or I might, the young legend fought back and became an absolute force, continuing to surf, speak and be a beacon for against-all-odds perseverance.
Hamilton was sponsored by core surf brand Rip Curl when the attack happened, and the beautiful partnership continued for decades.
An inspiration that surfed better than most two-armed men, you very much included.
Your li’l old BeachGrit was basically launched on an exclusive hard earned clip of her launching a gorgeous air reverse that was quickly stolen, without credit, by Stab.
The now premium subscription website, in any case, recently announced that Bethany Hamilton and Rip Curl were parting ways after twenty-odd years (credit here).
The implied reason?
Bethany Hamilton Not Wanting To Be Trans-Adjacent
Rip Curl has launched a new positivity campaign including the wonderful Sasha Jane Lowerson in order to promote new initiative 365 days of surfing girlhood.
Oh certainly the now mother of three (Hamilton not Lowerson) has publicly stated her opposition to trans athletes being allowed to compete against naturally born females, though she has never positioned as “anti-trans,” in general, and suspect reporting around such is as lazy as…
…Lazy.
No one walks away from hundreds of thousands of dollars in these the inflation years of our lives. The Stab subscriber (bless you) might think that Bethany Hamilton happily exploded the deal over values.
Doubtful.
The punter might imagine greener pastures, financially.
Equally doubtful.
I’d venture that Rip Curl’s appearance demands and Hamilton’s familial scheduling concerns plus not wanting to leave islands butted final heads with NDAs being signed to protect Rip Curl as new Kathmandu company owner severed ties with a cash infusion to insure “quality vibes.”
Just a guess.
Support premium here, in any case.
You’re welcome, again and again and again, dear Stab.
No need, or expectation, of returned favor.
