Timid is not a word that describes Rochelle Ballard. She always manages to impress us, whether it's fearlessly dropping in on a monster wave at Teahupoo or determinedly competing in an ASP contest. Rochelle has finished in the Top 10 in the women's division of the World Championship Tour every year since
1994, has been know to spend more time in the tube than most of her male counterparts. A huge supporter of women's surfing since the start, Ballard co-founded International Women's Surfing (IWS) and has been teaching and empowering newbie surfer girls with her surf camp and more recently with her surf competition, the O'Neill Island Girl Junior Pro.
Last album you downloaded: "Dub Side of the Moon" by Easy Star Dub All-stars
Last book you read: "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect" by Dr. Bob Rotella
Guilty pleasure TV show: "America's Next Top Model"
Favorite comfort food: Dark chocolate or cookies
Last splurge: Victoria's Secret
Advice for beginners: Don't be scared. It's better to be calm and think about the feeling you get from the water and your surroundings than your lack of skill in the ocean.
Hero: Rell Sunn, my Dad, and anyone who inspires me.
Favorite rainy day activity: Read, write, watch movies, listen to music, take care of my bus, spray boards, go shopping. . .
Pet peeve: A dirty house.
The perfect date: Home cooking, fine wine, great music and conversation, laughter, dancing, and a walk on the beach.
Who I'd cast to play me in the movie of my life: Drew Barrymore or Cameron Diaz.
Pets: Black lab, golden retriever, and a cat.
Bathing suit or commando under your wetsuit: 'mando. I like to feel free!
Why I surf: I love the ocean for everything it is and has done for my life.
Words to live by: Day by day, live in the moment with unconditional love, take life's good and bad as opportunities to grow, and enjoy all the experiences that life has to offer.
To see more of Rochelle, check out "Blue Crush" (she played Kate Bosworth's stunt double), "Modus Mix," "A Girl's Surf Addiction," and "Yoga For Surfers."
