Derek Hynd, a former professional surfer who has publicly demanded greater accountability over the treatment of women in the sport, is facing criticism over a flirtatious message he allegedly sent to a woman less than half his age.
The 69-year-old surf writer and former world No. 7 reportedly delivered an impassioned address at a Byron Bay paddle-out opposing sexual harassment and gender inequality last weekend.
Witnesses said Hynd, a pioneer of finless surfing, was not among the event’s official speakers but nevertheless addressed the crowd, urging attendees to “draw a line in the sand” over harmful behaviour.
However, the Daily Mail can reveal that the former Rip Curl coach has himself been accused of contributing to the culture he now criticises.
Surfer and writer Lucy Small has posted a screenshot of a message she says Hynd sent about a decade ago, after she contacted him about potentially collaborating on a story in Angola.
In the exchange, Hynd explained that he would not join Small on the trip because he would want to sleep with her, adding that the prospect made him feel “unsettled”.
Small shared the conversation on social media, saying she had approached the veteran surfer for professional assistance.
“Ten years ago, when I was 22, I wanted to go to Angola and write an article,” she wrote.
Derek Hynd, 69, a prominent surf writer and former world No. 7, reportedly delivered an impassioned speech at a Byron Bay paddle-out opposing sexual harassment and gender inequality
Surfer and writer Lucy Small posted a screenshot of a message she says Hynd sent after she contacted him about collaborating on a story in Angola
“I spoke to an editor about it and they suggested I ask Derek Hynd, who was a prominent surf writer in his late 50s at the time, whether he might be interested in joining me.
“This is how he responded when I asked him.”
The screenshot showed a sender identified as Derek Hynd initially offering to make introductions and conduct enquiries on Small’s behalf.
The tone then changed as he explained why he would not accompany her, first referring to the climate before discussing his sexual interest in her.
“Me, come? On two fronts, umm no. First too too too hot. I’m kind of a cool-weather person. Second, sexual tension, pure and simple.
“I’d want to sleep with you, a lot, and to be in such a heated, wet climate would be unbearable. Just thinking about it now makes me unsettled!”
“Not sure if that’s good or bad, but I like your style Lucy,” the message continued.
“I’m sure you’ve got layers to you that are pretty incredible. There, said it. Ha ha.”
The screenshot showed a sender identified as Derek Hynd offering to make introductions and enquiries for Small before turning to his sexual interest in her
Hynd reportedly spoke at a Byron Bay paddle-out opposing sexual harassment and gender inequality last weekend. Above, a general view of the demonstration with Hynd not pictured
Small said she published the exchange because Hynd had been publicly calling for accountability across the surfing industry.
After being approached by the Daily Mail, Hynd later told surf website BeachGrit that criticism of the message “holds reasonable water” and said he was “full of regret” about the wording.
He added, however, that he wanted to see the “entire conversation thread” before offering a full “mea culpa”.
Small’s post has since triggered a sharply divided response within the surfing community.
Some women supported her decision to share the exchange, saying it illustrated conduct that would be viewed as inappropriate in a professional relationship. Others defended Hynd and argued that his efforts to encourage change should not be dismissed because of a decade-old message.
The dispute also spread to BeachGrit, where commenters debated whether Hynd’s remarks amounted to harmless flirting, inappropriate conduct or something between the two.
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In a message to the Mail, Hynd, who has survived cancer multiple times, said he had contacted those involved and invited them to take part in “mediation”.
He said the controversy had “slammed” his reputation and expressed hope that those involved could agree on a “united next step”.
“I have been, proudly, the enemy of surfing’s dark side all my career,” he added.
The beach protest followed allegations that a 16-year-old Australian girl was sexually assaulted by several men connected to the professional surfing circuit after an event in Tahiti in August.
The allegations have prompted a broader debate about the treatment of women in surfing, with protesters calling for an end to a culture they say has allowed harassment, intimidation and abuse to go unchallenged.
At the time, Hynd said in a Facebook post that he had been aware of information that had not been made public. He described the scandal as “potentially the most damaging incident in the history of competitive surfing”.
In October, he promoted the No More Excuses paddle-out, held at Clarkes Beach in Byron Bay on November 1 to demand an end to gender-based violence in surfing.
He also condemned what he called the “overwhelming disrespect for female line-up rights” and urged professional surfers, both men and women, to speak out.
In October, Hynd promoted the No More Excuses paddle-out at Clarkes Beach in Byron Bay on November 1, calling for an end to gender-based violence in surfing
Witnesses at the event, however, said Hynd interrupted another speaker before addressing the crowd.
“Yesterday we had a paddle-out protest event against harmful behaviour in surfing and he took over from the speaker without consent to speak about his own agenda,” the event’s Instagram account said beneath Small’s post.
Small said she decided to publish the decade-old message because she believed it was inappropriate and that influential figures in surfing should also examine their own conduct.
“Derek has been posting calling for accountability in the surf industry and on the weekend at the paddle-out in Byron started to speak without being invited,” she wrote.
“So I wanted to make the point that some of the ‘legends’ held in high regard in the industry may also have been part of the problem.”
Her post attracted a flood of responses, including comments from women in the surfing community who pointed to an apparent contradiction between Hynd’s current position and the message he wrote in 2016.
Although the message has been criticised as inappropriate, there is no suggestion that Hynd continued contacting Small or harassed her.
Witnesses at the event said Hynd interrupted another speaker before addressing the gathering
Hynd said the message was instead his way of declining the invitation to work together, although he acknowledged that it was expressed “in wording that I am not proud of, obviously”, according to a lengthy email sent to the Mail.
“I have testaments as to my good and true character from many a great of the past 50 years of professional surfing,” Hynd added.
“Should you take time to look up my recent Facebook activity, you will be aware of my pointed defence of women in surfing.
“I am a solo parent. I avoid one-night stands, I am not a serial pest. Over my entire career I have predominantly kept to myself.”
Responding to claims that his speech at the protest was unwelcome, Hynd said he had been invited and “categorically did not realise that there was a prearranged list of speakers”.
He said he told organiser Ruby Southwell that he “did not need a microphone and would be quick”, adding that his remarks about drawing a “line in the sand” received applause.
The Mail contacted Small on Friday to ask whether she wanted to comment further on her decision to publish the historic message.
“Unfortunately I am not able to talk further about this as the Daily Mail doesn’t have the best track record with treating people in this issue area kindly, so I don’t believe it is a platform that will be helpful or productive in the situation,” she wrote.