Girls gain surf tips, confidence from the pros at camp

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Rochelle Ballard says she wants girls to realize they can succeed in this sport. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

There was no need for a movie to spell that out when the third annual Rochelle Ballard Surf Camp was held early this month. The three-day event at Camp Mokule'ia on O'ahu's North Shore drew more than 60 girls, ages 8 to 19.

"I'm just trying to make sure these girls realize how far they can go with this sport," said Ballard, who begins her 12th season on professional surfing's world tour next month. "We've been going to different spots every year and doing different things every year, but the whole idea remains the same. That's to keep developing the youth — because they are the future of surfing — and give them a sense of direction."

Ballard should know. She grew up on Kaua'i and became a professional surfer at a time when women's surfing was hardly making a ripple.

"I just want these girls to realize that they can make it in this sport," Ballard said. "Even if not becoming a pro surfer, you can work in the industry. There are so many different things women can do with surfing now."

The camp has become such a success in Hawai'i that Ballard and primary sponsors O'Neill and Reef plan to take it to California in June and then Florida in September.

Next year, Ballard also hopes to stage the camp on Maui or Kaua'i.

"There's something special about surfing in Hawai'i," said Malia Alani, a marketing manager for the California-based O'Neill company. "It's the aloha.

"The true roots of surfing came from the ancient Hawaiians, and we want to make sure that message is spread to surfers in other areas, not just Hawai'i."

True to the message, the Hawai'i camp featured lots of aloha.

Megan Abubo and Keala Kennelly, Hawai'i surfers who compete with Ballard on the women's pro tour, helped out and surfed with the girls.

Lifeguards Brian Keaulana and Katy Wright went over safety precautions and various training methods, including underwater running.

Rainos Hayes, a recognized pro surfer from O'ahu's North Shore and a youth surfing coach, provided insight from a male perspective.

"I think a camp like this assures them that it's all right to be a girl and surf," Hayes said.

"There's a tendency to think that only males can make that journey through surfing. Not anymore. If you're a girl, and your heart is into surfing, you can follow your heart."

There were also lessons on cross-training and Hawaiian culture. One day, the girls dug an imu and cooked their own food.

"We hit the surf every day, but we also wanted to teach them skills they can use outside of surfing," said Theresa McGregor, camp coordinator.

McGregor, 21, was a camp participant just two years ago.

"There's been improvements made every year," she said. "It just gets more and more support every year."

Ultimately, of course, it's about surfing.

One day, all 60 girls stormed the beach at Hale'iwa. The next day, they took over Rocky Point.

"There were some guys out there who probably weren't too happy," Ballard said. "But what are you going to do when this big group of girls comes running out with huge smiles on their faces?"

The older and more-experienced surfers got to ride bigger waves with the pros. The younger and less-experienced girls stayed on the smaller waves, surrounded by camp personnel shouting encouragement and instruction.

"It was a lot of fun, and I also learned a lot," said Monyca Byrne-Wickey, 12. "The pros like Rochelle were all really nice to us. It was like surfing with friends, except this was better."

Byrne-Wickey and Lipoa Kahaleuahi, both from Hana, Maui, wanted so much to attend the camp that they sold cookies on their own to raise the money. (Entry was $50 per girl, but Neighbor Island participants had to pay their own airfare.)

When Ballard heard that story, she awarded both Byrne-Wickey and Kahaleuahi two round-trip interisland tickets so that they can compete in upcoming amateur meets.

"During a regular day, surfing can be competitive for the girls because all the guys are out there," said Monyca's father, Tony.

"This camp is great because it lets them focus on surfing as a girl thing and teaches them that girls can be great at it. I think it was important for (Monyca) to go."

Kahaleuahi, an eighth-grader at Hana High and Elementary, added: "The thing I remember the most is never giving up on yourself or your goals."

Word of the camp even spread to Australia.

When Australian pro Chelsea Georgeson showed up on the first day of the camp, Ballard figured she was there to help out. But Georgeson, 19, had actually registered as a participant.

"She's on the (pro) tour with me and here she is bunking with the other girls," Ballard said. "I think that shows how much we all love this sport."

What's more, Ballard and the camp sponsors and workers do not get paid.

Part of each entry fee was donated to Boarding for Breast Cancer; any leftover money will be donated to other charities.

"We're not here for the money," Ballard said. "It's about enjoying surfing and being with other girls who enjoy surfing."