the ladies in the lineup

Mike Sciacca

Rochelle Ballard is out to become a first-time champion in the U.S.

Open of Surfing Women’s Division.

Kim Hamrock is the only female competing in an otherwise all-male

field in the U.S. Open of Longboarding.

The standout female surfers have something in common -- each is

trying to rip her way to the top during this week’s competition.

The U.S. Open’s women’s division features 44 of the top 50 women

in the world among 64 entrants.

Key competitors include world No. 1-rated Sofia Mulanovich of

Peru, reigning event champion Chelsea Georgeson of Australia, former

U.S. Open and world champion Pauline Menczer of Australia, Julia

Christian of Carlsbad, Serena Brooke of Australia and Holly Beck of

Palos Verdes.

Twenty-eight women are listed as alternates for the women’s

division -- the most ever.

Ballard has come to Surf City from the North Shore of Oahu.

For Hamrock, she’s competing in her hometown.

A profile of the two athletes:

Rochelle Ballard

Age: 33

Hometown: North Shore, Oahu

Years as professional surfer: 13th year

World ranking: Second

Career highlights: 12 career victories; winner of 2002 Surf Poll

Awards; world’s premier barrel riding woman; set an Assn. of Surfing

Professionals record by scoring two, 10-point barrel rides in one

heat; top-rated female Hawaiian surfer from 1994-99 and 2001.

Best finish at U.S. Open of Women: Fourth, twice

What makes the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach so special? “It’s a

long-running event with many great surfers battling it out in front

of a huge crowd, fans, media, industry, family and friends. It’s a

prestigious event, because it’s in front of all these people, and the

American surfers love to perform under pressure and win the crowd

over. Representing our country and Huntington epitomizes that

experience. Despite poor waves, I’m driven to perform my best and

win.”

Do you see the caliber of world competitors getting better each

year? “Of course, it’s the nature of competition and growth of a

sport, especially in the women’s side. There’s been a big performance

growth in the past two years.”

Where would you like to see professional surfing go, from where it

stands now? “More attention on the women’s side of competition in the

media, more events and more industry support to women’s surfing and

it’s growth. The men and the women building and growing together.”

How often are you traveling worldwide for competitions? “All year

round.”

Kim Hamrock

Age: 43

Hometown: Huntington Beach

Years as professional surfer: 7

Current world ranking: Not ranked (semi-retired). Recently won the

U.S.A. Malibu Nose Diving Championships on July 11.

Career highlights: Eleven-time U.S.A. champion in short and

longboard competition.

Years competing at the U.S. Open of Surfing: 11th

Best finish at the U.S. Open of Surfing: Finals in 1994

What makes the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach so special? “It is

close to home and all my friends are here. And, I get to see all my

traveling friends too.”

Do you see the caliber of world competitors getting better each

year? “The level of surfing nowadays is phenomenal. I love to see the

progress every year.”

Where would you like to see professional surfing go, from where it

stands now? “I would like to see more team events where surfers are

surfing together, not against each other. I like the format that Brad

Gerlach is using for his events.”

How often are you traveling worldwide for competitions? “I travel

a

couple of times a year for competitions and a few more times to

give surf clinics.”

How does its feel to be the only female competing in the U.S. Open

of Longboarding? “I would surf in the women’s longboard if they had

it. I don’t mind competing with the guys. They rip so it is more of a

challenge. I am treated as another competitor, everyone wants to make

it to the next round.”

What do you attribute to your durability and long run in the

sport? “I believe a true passion for surfing keeps me motivated to

staying fit and eating well.”

A final thought: “I hope to have been a good influence for women

surfers to go out there and charge and go beyond what you think you

can do. I did not even start competing until I was 30 years old and

already had three kids. I won the women’s world longboard title at

the age of 42. So, live your dreams and ignore all the ‘bs’ others

try to put in your head.”