If Kaua‘i’s own Alana Blanchard ever dreamed as a little girl that she’d be doing anything similar to what she is doing today, then confidence was certainly never a problem. Alana, a 19-year-old pro surfer from Hanalei, qualified for the
If Kaua‘i’s own Alana Blanchard ever dreamed as a little girl that she’d be doing anything similar to what she is doing today, then confidence was certainly never a problem.
Alana, a 19-year-old pro surfer from Hanalei, qualified for the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour by finishing ninth in last season’s World Qualifying Series. She has cemented herself as an impressive force among the up-and-coming female surfers in the pro ranks.
Now, she’s taken her career a step further.
She was chosen to participate in a photo shoot highlighting the “next wave” of young female surfing talent for Vanity Fair magazine.
The shoot, which featured 12 surfers, was a new experience for Alana and one that she seemed to enjoy.
After shooting, Alana spoke to Rip Curl, one of her sponsors.
“It was really fun to see all the girls and be with everyone doing something different, something other than a contest,” she told the surf apparel giant. “But it was confusing at times trying to get twelve girls in one shot!”
The two-time women’s Pipeline Pro Champion says on her Web site that her favorite surf spot is Pinetrees and that she began surfing at the age of four, right at the Hanalei Pier.
Now on the pro tour, she is seeing her skills take her to the best waves in the world. Places like Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Later this year, she will be heading to Piura, Peru and then back to Honolulu at the end of December.
