Professional surfer Alana Blanchard has responded to fan questions as to why her partnership with surf brand Rip Curl ended.
The partnership, which has been ongoing for almost 15 years, ended earlier this year. Eagle-eyed fans began to notice Blanchard’s surfboard no longer had the iconic Rip Curl stick on its nose and started asking questions as to whether the surfer was still working with the brand.
In a recent YouTube video on her personal account, Blanchard revealed the reason she believed the partnership ended, which according to her, was because she fell pregnant.
She said in the video: “As some of you probably already noticed, I’m no longer sponsored by Rip Curl.
“It was kind of a big change for me from going from being sponsored my whole life, pretty much since I was like 14 to now not having a main sponsor.”
You can watch her talking about the relationship ending below (from around the 8.03 min mark).
The surfer said while “things ended OK” with the brand, it “pretty much stopped” working with her after she had her child.
She said: “They really didn’t like that I had a kid,” adding: “They no longer really wanted to use me anymore and I kind of want to be with a company that really supports me, who I am today and that just wasn’t Rip Curl at the time.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B66eokhB58X/
Rip Curl’s last appearance on Blanchard’s Instagram page, which has 1.8 million followers, was January 25.
In a statement to Stab magazine, Rip Curl denied the partnership breakdown was due to Blanchard having a child.
“Rip Curl has supported Alana Blanchard for the past 12 years and she has been a legend within our brand and a huge influence in our sport. When Alana stepped into the next phase of her life as a mother, we went to great lengths to support her throughout her pregnancy and months after.
“Rip Curl wanted to re-sign Alana and continue her relationship on our surf team, and made an offer to do so, but unfortunately could not agree to terms.”
The brand said it was “surprised” by her comments in her recent video, but that it “can empathise with her disappointment in leaving the brand”.
“We wish her all the best; we value her contribution and legacy at the brand and we are sad to see her go,” the statement read.
