Young female surfers get a camp of their own

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Female surfers are riding a wave of momentum right now.

Just getting to surf with Rochelle Ballard was a treat for some of the campers. “It was really cool because that’s the first time I ever got to surf with Rochelle,” says Mia Melamed, 14. Advertiser library photo

As proof, the Rochelle Ballard Surf Camp drew more than 60 girls recently to Ha'ena, Kaua'i. Ballard, one of the world's top-ranked female surfers, lured several of her friends from the surfing industry to help instruct and entertain the girls during the three-day camp.

"We weren't trying to create a whole bunch of professional surfers," said Ballard, who was raised on Kaua'i. "We just wanted to get a bunch of girls together who enjoy the surfing lifestyle."

Ballard started the camp last year on O'ahu's North Shore. She would like to host at least one camp every year, possibly on a different island each year.

"There are just so many girls out there who are into surfing now," said Ballard, 31. "When I was growing up, I'd be the only girl out there sometimes. I just want these girls to realize that they are breaking down barriers and they can go as far as they want with this."

The message was not lost in the surfing industry. Thanks to sponsorship funds from surf companies O'Neill and Reef, as well as Universal Pictures, there was no entry fee to join the camp.

"We had to pay $25 for insurance, but that's it," said Chris Melamed, who sent her two daughters to the camp. "Once I heard about it, I was all for it. My girls are both into surfing and this (camp) was about camaraderie and meeting other girls who also enjoy surfing."

The camp was open to females ages 8-19. No males were allowed.

They were separated into age groups, and Ballard adjusted her daily itinerary accordingly. In addition to actual surfing, the girls learned about training techniques and proper dieting. Representatives from the surf industry also spoke to the girls.

"There was a big difference in the ages, but it was like they were all there for the same reason," Ballard said. "That made it easy for me to talk to the little ones as well as the older ones."

Theresa Mcgregor of Maui was a participant in the camp last year, and served as a staff member this year. As a business manager for Kazuma Surfboards, she talked with the girls about the surfing industry.

"I wanted to show them that you don't have to be a pro surfer just to be a part of surfing," said Mcgregor, 20. "Women can also be a part of the business side of surfing and still play a role in the promotion of women's surfing."

As Amanda Colver, the marketing director for O'Neill, put it: "Surfing is a guy's world right now."

However, Colver said the female clientele is the fastest growing market in the industry. She flew to Kaua'i from California for the camp, and was impressed with the turnout.

"Women's surfing is growing at such an incredible pace," she said. "And these are the girls who will keep it going."

During one day of the camp, all 60 girls stormed the beach at Ha'ena and took over the waves. The younger girls surfed near the shore. The older ones got to surf with Ballard and fellow professional Megan Abubo.

"It was really cool because that's the first time I ever got to surf with Rochelle," said Mia Melamed, 14. "I really look up to her and always wanted to be a pro surfer like her. After I got home (from the camp) I wanted to be a pro even more."

It helped that Mia won a random drawing for a year's worth of entry fees into the amateur circuit on Kaua'i. Her younger sister, 8-year-old Nage, won the camp's talent contest with an impromptu Tahitian dance.

"They had so much fun," their mother said. "They couldn't stop talking about it after they got home."

Coco Ho, 11, had the same reaction. Coco, who is the daughter of world-famous surfer Michael Ho, flew to Kaua'i from O'ahu just for the camp.

"All the girls were surfing together and it was way better than surfing with boys," Coco said.

Because Ballard is still competing on the World Championship Tour of women's surfing, she does not want to commit to scheduling any more than one camp per year. At least not yet.

"I just want to make sure the future of the sport is taken care of," Ballard said.

SURFING CONTEST

• Aston No Ka Oi on tap: Over 150 surfers will participate in Maui's only professional and amateur longboard surf meet today and tomorrow in Lahaina. The competition will be at the Lahaina Harbor and feature the $2,000 Steinlager Pro division. Three former World Longboard champions, Bonga Perkins, Russ Keaulana and Dino Miranda, are competing in a field of 32 of the state's best longboarders for first place and $600.