Rip Curl under fire for choosing a transgender surfer as its ambassador. The equipment manufacturer chose to promote Sasha Lowerson after previously breaking off its collaboration with surfing icon Bethany Hamilton.
In February 2023, the Hawaiian who lost her left arm following an attack by a tiger shark when she was only 13 years old, opposed the presence of transgender athletes in women's competitions. The Instagram post, part of a campaign called " Meet Western Australia's Local Heroes ", has since been removed by the Australian surf brand.