Surf pro to instruct female surfers

Mike Sciacca

Rochelle Ballard calls the day intense but worthwhile.

For nearly 80 local girls, the hands-on guidance they’ll receive

from one of the world’s most respected female surfers will no doubt

be invaluable.

The 33-year-old will be in Surf City on Friday to put on O’Neill’s

Rochelle Ballard Surf Camp at Goldenwest Street.

She’ll headline a day-long clinic for intermediate to advanced

surfers.

The camp is also a lead-in to the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing

presented by O’Neill at the south side of the pier.

Ballard, ranked second in the world, will compete in the women’s

competition of the U.S. Open of Surfing.

“I’ll be in Huntington Beach for an extended stay, and I’m looking

forward to it,” Ballard said from her home on the north shore of

Oahu. “I’m looking forward to the surfing competition, and it’s going

to be a great camp.”

Friday’s camp is the second in a series of three instructional

camps held in Hawaii, California and Florida.

The camp, which originated in Ballard’s home state of Hawaii, is

now in its fourth year. It’s the second year the camp has been held

in Surf City.

“We’ve had great success with the camp wherever we’ve taken it,”

Ballard said. “It’s going to be a full day of instruction and talks

with the girls. It’s pretty intense and exhausting, getting

everything in in one day.”

The camp targets female surfers ages 8 to 19 and focuses on what

it takes to become a professional surfer and enhance competitive

surfing skills.

Friday’s lessons include instruction in training techniques,

coaching, competitive strategies and careers in the surf industry.

In addition to the training, guest speakers from the surf industry

and women’s pro tour are scheduled to appear.

“So many girls have learned to surf during the past few years, and

now they want to refine their competitive skills,” said Malia Alani,

O’Neill Juniors Marketing Manager. “Rochelle’s camp provides an

avenue for them to take their surfing to the next level.”

Proceeds from the Rochelle Ballard Surf Camp benefit Boarding 4

Breast Cancer and IWS, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Ballard

to provide more opportunities for women surfers.

“I enjoy seeing the sport grow and to see lots of girls surfing

together,” Ballard said. “I want to help provide an opportunity for

growth that I didn’t have as a kid.”