Bethany Hamilton, renowned for her memoir and the 2011 film adaptation “Soul Surfer,” has long served as an inspiration to millions through her remarkable courage and resilience following a shark attack that resulted in the loss of her arm, propelling her faith-based journey back to professional surfing.
Since 1999, when Hamilton was just 9 years old, she has been affiliated with the popular Australian surfing brand Rip Curl, playing a central role for the company over the past 24 years.
However, in November 2023, Hamilton’s enduring relationship with Rip Curl came to an end after she voiced her opposition to the World Surfing League’s new policy allowing men to compete in women’s surfing divisions provided their testosterone levels were below a certain threshold.
Expressing her viewpoint in a video, Hamilton advocated for the creation of a separate division to ensure fair opportunities for all athletes while emphasizing her love and support for everyone.
Hamilton’s stance led to her dismissal from Rip Curl, with trans surfer Sasha Jane Lowerson taking her place. Allie Beth Stuckey commended Hamilton for utilizing her platform to advocate for women’s rights in sports, emphasizing the physical advantages inherent to biological males, even post-transition.
Stuckey highlighted Lowerson’s physical attributes and professional athletic background pre-transition, suggesting an inherent advantage in women’s surfing competitions. Noting Lowerson’s social media activity, Stuckey suggested a deeper issue beyond gender dysphoria, portraying Lowerson’s perspective on womanhood as objectification based on the content shared online.