Ballard, Rochelle (1971 – )

Dynamic regularfoot surfer originally from the Hawaiian island of Kauai, world-ranked #2 in 2004, and generally regarded as the first great female tuberider. Born Rochelle Gordines in 1971, in the Los Angeles suburb of Montebello, she moved to Kauai with her family at age six months, and began surfing at 11, encouraged by neighbor and four-time world champion Margo Oberg.

The tomboyish Gordines placed fourth in both the 1988 and 1990 World Amateur Surfing Championships, and finished 15th as ...