ROCHELLE BALLARD

Occupation: Former professional surfer and business owner

What school you grad? Waimea High School ‘89

Location: ʻŌmaʻo, Kaua‘i

Throughout her 17-year career as a professional surfer, Kaua‘i’s Rochelle Ballard earned numerous honors, including a runner-up finish for the 2004 Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Title, winning the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Master’s Championship in 2012, the ISA World Grand Masters Championship in 2024 and still holding the women’s world record for scoring two perfect 10’s in a single heat with back-to-back barrels at the Billabong Pro in 1997.

Most known for her fearless barrel riding skills, she took on the legendary Pipeline and Backdoor and pushed the boundaries of what female surfers could achieve. Committed to advancing equity, she co-founded International Women Surfers in 1999, helping boost minimum prize money and elevate women’s surfing in mainstream media. She also worked in several films and TV shows, including serving as Kate Bosworth’s lead stunt double in Blue Crush and appearing in Step Into Liquid at Beyond the Break.

Earlier this month, Ballard was inducted into the 2025 Hawaiʻi Waterman Hall of Fame, an honor that recognizes ocean athletes whose legacies have shaped Hawaiian water sports. She attended Waimea Elementary, Kahili Mountain Adventist Middle School. Although she completed most of her high school years at Waimea High, she took classes during her final semester at Mataas na Kaua'i after becoming involved with the Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center.

Q: Briefly describe your journey after high school.

A: I began traveling the world at age 19, entering pro surf contests and acquired my massage license to work abroad, eventually becoming an elite professional athlete for 17 years on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour and living on Oahu’s North Shore.

Q: What are you up to these days?

A: After I retired from the World Championship Tour in 2007, I started a surf, yoga and wellness retreat business called Surf Into Yoga. Two years ago, I started the Rochelle Ballard Surf Experiences (a surf school) for our family surf shop, Nukumoi Surf Co. I also manage the shop with my mom, Christine French, and brother, Kainoa French. I coach the youth from time-to-time and still surf as much as I can.

Q: Why did you choose this career path and what do you enjoy most about it?

A: I love everything about surfing. At the time it wasn’t a career path, but my generation made it a viable career path, breaking down barriers, proving ourselves worthy of endorsements in the surf industry and paving the way for the next generation of female surfers.

My professional surfing career journey was a great way to experience the world through traveling, cultural differences, history, meeting different types of people from all over the world and learning how to dig deep to become a champion.

Q: What makes you #PublicSchoolProud?

A: What makes me proud is knowing that you can do anything if you put your mind and actions toward it if you believe in yourself and find a way! Coming from Waimea High School, I had big dreams and I challenged myself to go out and accomplish them.

Q: Favorite subject in school?

A: History 

Q: Favorite school lunch or breakfast?

A: Spaghetti and meatballs

Q: What type of extracurricular activities were you involved in?

A: I was the first class in Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center and went surfing and did surf contests in the Hawai‘i Surf Association.

Q: Name of a teacher or mentor you’d like to thank?

A: Mr. Walter Souza, he was the best teacher!

Q: What advice do you have for students?

A: Believe in your dreams, have goals, take them one step at a time, failure leads to knowing how to succeed and just when you think you are at the end of the rope and ready to give up, push a little more. Usually that is where your success reveals itself: grit, perseverance and being positive.