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.
Commented on Disqus? Log out, tap the Disqus button, and your old name and comments come back. The box is ours.
Your comments are still here. Every one of them.
Twelve years of BeachGrit comments came across from Disqus. Connect and we will show you how many are yours. We get your username, nothing else.
Connect Disqus to reveal.
I think your ‘guess’ is wrong. It’s not quality vibes. She’s super conservative. It’s ‘don’t be a bigot’ vibes.
Biology > Psycology. Or is it?
“yep, my testicles do not define my womenhood!”
carne o pollo? pescado aqui!
What percentage of the surfing world are trannies? What percentage of the surfing world are fans of Bethany? Me thinks RicPurl has stepped in a pile of poo and can’t wash it off. RicPurl should have just let it ride and not renewed when the aging surfer’s contract ran out in a couple years. RicPurl now going to sell far fewer wetsuits. No HamSammish!!!!!
I doubt that the people who buy their wetties give a shit about either. But the kids who buy the clothes and bikinis are unlikely to be with BH on this one.
O’Neill techno butter all day every day.
Chas smelled blood…. Time to get every last bit out of this drama. Over/under for Bethany articles anyone? Bueller?
Stab them with kindness…
Zealots of hate.
33 years old and unmarried in 1st century Judea? 12 male “disciples”? Working with “wood” all day as a carpeter? Kissed on the lips by Judas? Jesus was clearly gay.
shagging rugs?
Religious zealots are all much the same, regardless if they are Christians, Muslims, Jews or any other religion – there is no space in their world view for any opinions, perspectives or outlooks other than their own.
Sounds like you.
He’s John Seaton Callahan, the formerly famous surf photog turned creep. He’s posting the same rants on another website too.
Hes a misery.
He is totally full of shit. He never went to Punahou, never lived in Hawaii and is a full faker. He reeks of desperation to be part of surfing. There is no record of him attending Punahou. He’s a pathetic wannbe who creates bogus profiles of himself online.
I challenge him to show proof of his Hawaii residency and his schooling here.
You seem very religious. Which god do you worship?
He’s an evangelical shitlib.
dry turkey on rye…no pork. no fish on friday. kosher?
I don’t – my opinion of religion is along the lines of “If camels believed in God, God would look like a camel.”
Its clear from reading your posts that you are a religious zealot. Its just that you worship a different religion and you despise other religions.
Completely untrue – I do not embrace any religion.
Other people can believe what they like, including Bethany Hamilton.
But don’t expect to be professional athlete or a paid spokesperson for a multinational brand if you choose to embrace extremist religious values that include exclusion, condemnation and intolerance.
For Americans at least, embracing extremist Christian religious values means you belong in politics.
Perhaps its yourself that you worship? Perhaps its mother earth. Perhaps you’re just blind to your own zealotry. No Hamsammish for you.
Is there any middle ground anymore? Why not?
These days it’s kind of like commiting to eating a burrito. You know when you start you have to finish the whole thing even though 3/4 through you are full.
Gabriel Medina is the world’s most famous surfer. It’s not even close!
Best ever, !!!
Daylight second.
Goat 3rd
Famous and Instagram famous are two different things.
There’s only one GOAT. Kelly is the the most famous surfer now and forever. No question.
Gabriel Medina is a national hero in a country of 214 million, almost all of whom know who he is! This isn’t an argument over who is the greatest, only who is more famous, and it’s Medina!
Not sure Medina’s star power in Brazil matters in that country for Rip Curl sales in Brazil. With a monthly income range of $265 USD to $$800 USD a month, a large % of the people in Brazil can even think of being able to afford a $200 Rip Curl Spring suit, or $100 hoodie.
That is beside the point, the question was who is the most famous surfer in the world
Sure, he’s big Brazil but do you think anyone in Brazil who knows who Medina is doesn’t know Kelly?
There are many more in the world who know Kelly and have no idea who Medina is.
Medina is a household name in Brazil. I’m sure millions upon millions in Brazil know who Medina is and have no idea who Kelly is
I very much doubt it. It’s like saying Neymar is more famous than Beckham because Neymar is Brazilian
It’s actually like saying Neymar is more famous than Landon Donovan
So you’re comparing KS the most winning surfer of all time to some random seppo soccer player who has won fuck all
I’m not comparing their respective talents, nor saying Medina is a greater surfer, just that because he is a national hero in a country with such a huge population he is more famous than any other surfer.
Actually, Landon Donovan, who played the worlds most popular sport, played weekly in the primer league and the bundesleague (viewing figures in the millions) played in the World Cup (watched by billions), was the poster boy for soccer for a country of 330 million, is supposedly less famous than Kelly Slater, who competes in a sport that on a good day gets a global audience of 25k. Are you actually suggesting that?
I’m not suggesting he’s not popular in the soccer world but he’s no Beckham, that’s the point.
You’re comparing the greatest of all time to mid tier
I don’t know, surely more recognizable, a one armed lady kinda sticks out like a sore thumb.
who?
the famous ones backed out of The League or were never in it! Dane R., Dane K, and Dane Hamilton…
you crossed the line Chas…into Joni AMitchell Teerirory…Blue? or AC/DC Back to black? red skies at night, sailor’s delight…StabGrit…an Ode…
Victoria´s secret lost over 1 billion dollars with their transgender inclusive ads and is now “moving back to sexy.” Maybe a totally different market, but anyways… good luck to Rip Curl.
men’s shavers? cologe’n…need audio? FM? No static at all!
Think it was the Lizzo collection that really tanked that brand. Whether cisgender or trans, no one wants to see a fat lingerie model
I Only Believe In The First Amendment And Boobs.
Are trans people still 0.5% of the population? And men transitioning to women? Half of that? What percentage these men that become women can surf and want to compete? 0.1%?
I would hope most female pro surfers could beat those odds.
If not, you might just be a shit surfer.
She awfully judgemental for a Christian. Love thy neighbour etc.
She didn’t judge them on sexuality or identity. She was rational equity in sports…
Can your read?
Seems like a lot of guessing going on there Charles
It wasn’t a “scheduling conflict”, ha ha.
I don’t want to say I told you so, but I definitely TOLD YOU SO.
I said Bethany should be FIRED by Rip Curl immediately after she veered wildly out of her lane and released her unsolicited, highly political anti-trans “I am going to boycott the WSL” video rant – because fanatical Taliban-level Christian fundamentalist bigotry and athletic sponsorship, whereby someone is presented as role model for millions and paid to do that job, do not mix.
Now, apparently she cannot tolerate a transgender person appearing in Rip Curl company promotional materials –
Bethany made a political statement consistent with her personal ultraconservative religious beliefs – a move into politics is probably next, she will be convinced only her brand of fanatical Taliban-level Christian fundamentalist bigotry can save Hawai’i – and the world.
You’re a cunt… a man is a man . A woman is a woman.Pretty simple.No religion needed to observe the obvious.
Did you really go to school with obama?
Yes – his name was “Barry” then. No one knew his real name was “Barack”.
Punahou School 1841 Buff and Blu, brah –
One way to settle this is a Ripcurl Sponsored arm wrestle between Bethany and Sascha Jane Lowerson. Winner keeps contract loser justfades.
Sounds a bit over the top
If lowerson still has its baby’s arm holding an apple then Beth is at a 3-1 arm disadvantage
I’m led to belive there is no low hanging fruit anymore, the marvels of modern scapels prevail, however SJL has two arms vs Bethany’s one, so im guessing Bethany’s does twice as much work so could potentially be stronger? Perhaps Beach Grit could sponsor ther event? It could be an iconic moment in history, akin to the runble in the jungle.
Cancelling herself was the best thing Beth ever did
Hands down!
Round of applause for Beth!
You can applause her all you want, but she will never clap for you.
Or give it to you
Farrrrk up cunt