Surf into Yoga

Exploring Ecuador and Panama with Sunny Garcia

Rochelle Ballard — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:56:02 +0000

Following the ISA 2013 Masters in Ecuador this past April, I hopped on a plane with my good friend Sunny Garcia and headed to Panama to do some exploring. We met up with, Keanu Asing, Kiron Jabour and were hosted by Magnum Martinez and had a magical time. Here I share some memories from our trip, courtesy of our most excellent local surf guide and photographer: Richy Arosemena.

View Photos

To read my full post on our trip to Panama, visit The Huffington Post.
Check out some great footage of the trip here on ESPN.

Sunny – a grasshopper taking a liking to Sunny.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

Plenty of fresh coconuts ready to be cut from the trees and cracked open on the beach.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

Sunny always on a rail.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

Magnum Martinez and Sunny having a chat after an epic surf.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

Me – this wave wrapped around the corner and into a beautiful bay.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

I love a good beach break…

Photo by Richy Arosemena

Breaking for lunch.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

Taking a lunch break 96% in the shade after surfing some thick beach break barrels.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

Aura Boulton and Sunny Garcia taking a break from the sun.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

Grateful to enjoy this beautiful beach with good friends.

Photo by Richy Arosemina

Staying connected.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

We surfed this wave by ourselves all day.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

The local markets.

Photo by Rochelle

Kiron Jabour-a young pro from the North Shore of Oahu with amazing talent and a big future.

Photo by Rochelle

Local kids taking a stroll at sunset, Asmara Peninsula.

Photo by Rochelle

Second day of the road trip, whipped around like a rag doll in a close out barrel and broke my board.

Photo by Richy Arosemena

Enjoying yoga by moonlight.

Photo by Aura Boulton

Packing the boards up for our road trip and heading out of the city.

Photo by Rochelle

Crossing over the Panama Canal.

Photo by Rochelle

Wildlife – Panama style.

Photo by Rochelle

Special thanks to Richy Arosemena, our local surf guide, travel partner and photographer.
For your perfect surfing Trip in Panama contact: richyarosemena@gmail.com

+507 66765577
+507 68972797
Facebook: richy arosemena

Have a beautiful day-

Rochelle

Surfers for Breast Cancer Prevention

Rochelle Ballard — Mon, 27 May 2013 20:55:13 +0000

What a blessed day to pay it forward, show gratitude, and educate the youth about breast cancer prevention. Donate some money and ride a wave for the love of boobies!

As surfers, sisters, daughters, lovers and mothers.. we support Keep A Breast and Cancer Prevention. Please help us raise needed funds for one of our favorite charities! WE LOVE BOOBIES!!

Make a donation to @keepabreast for #Give2Educate10. Just $2 helps educate 10 about #breastcancer!

Me Ke Aloha,
Rochelle

Give 2 Educate 10 – Help Raise $100k To Educate Half A Million People About Breast Cancer!

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Out of all cases of breast cancer, 1 in 233 occur in women age 39 and younger. For young people age 39 and under, breast cancer screening, education, and prevention methods are not discussed, commonly recommended, and still not spoken about by most breast cancer non-profits.

For every $2 spent on KAB’s Traveling Education Booth program, Keep A Breast has the opportunity to educate ten more people with life saving information. This year our goal is to raise $100,000 for our Traveling Education Booth to allow us to reach half a million more young people.

View our Traveling Education Booth Infographic

A $2 cup of coffee. A $2 app download. A $2 commitment to breast cancer prevention and early detection.

We ask that you join us by pledging just two dollars on monthly basis. Please share this video as well as our message of breast cancer prevention and early detection by becoming a $2 monthly donor, and sharing this information with ten people.

GIVE $2 HERE

Imagine the number of people we could reach with your help!

All Finalists Decided on Day 7: ISA World Masters

Rochelle Ballard — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:04:11 +0000

Exciting Day of Competition Plus The ISA Aloha Cup and a Balsa Surfboard Demonstration

The 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship confirmed all finalists on Saturday. Day 7 of the competition featured all the Repechage Finals that determined the last two athletes who would make it into the Grand Final.

Day 7 also featured a Balsa Surfboard Demonstration and the ISA Aloha Cup, a tag-team relay competition featuring the top 8 finishing teams from last year’s ISA World Masters, each with squads made up of 4 men and 1 women.

“Today was an incredible day with amazing surfing action, including the semifinals of the ISA Aloha Cup. I also had the very special experience of the Balsa Surfboard Demonstration,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “I feel very inspired and honored to have been able to share some waves with the local surfers, while riding their balsa surfboards, that have a long and deep rooted tradition and history in Ecuador.”

The Women’s Masters Final is now complete with the addition of Andrea Lopes (BRA, 14.10), and 2-time ISA World Champion, Heather Clark (ZAF, 11.00), who finished second. This was the end of the competition for Maria Celia Barboza (URU, 7.94) and Siri Cota (USA, 7,73).

Already in the Women’s Final, having come through the Qualifying round on Friday are Layne Beachley (AUS) and Rochelle Ballard (HAW).

Read Full Article

Photo Credit Tweddle/ISA, Rommel Gonzales/ISA

Amazing Display of Surfing During Day 5: ISA World Masters

Rochelle Ballard — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:55:10 +0000

Solid Waves Continue While the First Finalists Are Confirmed

Day 5 of the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship was greeted with a beautiful sunny morning and over-head waves at the perfect right hand point-break in Montañita, located in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador.

Both the Grand Kahunas and Women’s Masters have confirmed the first finalists of the event: Layne Beachley (AUS) and Rochelle Ballard (HAW) for the Women’s Masters, and Allen Sarlo (USA) and Craig Schieber (CRC) in the Grand Kahuna’s. They will be joined by two surfers, who will advance through the Repechage.

“What an amazing day of competition,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The combination of the increase in swell and the high performance surfing by the world’s best Masters, delivered a very exciting day. The World Championship is only getting more thrilling as we reach the last days, so don’t miss any minute of the action.”

As expected, the swell filled in and delivered 6-8 feet waves. The conditions in the morning were excellent with sheet-glass ocean surface. However, the wind typical for this time of year picked up and turned onshore as the day went on. Even so, Montañita delivered great waves all day.

According to Surfline’s official forecast, similar conditions are predicted for tomorrow with waves in the 4-6 feet range with occasional 8-foot sets. A new, and much larger swell is forecast in time for Sunday’s Finals.

Read Full Article

Photo Credit Tweddle/ISA, Rommel Gonzales/ISA

Strong Performances During Day 3: ISA World Masters

Rochelle Ballard — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:44:35 +0000

Another Beautiful Sunny Day in Montañita With Challenging Surf Conditions

The world’s best over 35 year old Men and Women surfers put on incredible performances during Day 3 of the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship on the perfect right hand point-break waves in Montañita, Ecuador.

It was a beautiful sunny day in the South American country that sits right on the equator, with the gorgeous Galapagos Islands offshore. Surf conditions were challenging with a slight drop in swell to about 3-4 feet with occasional head-high sets. The tides were extreme, with an early morning low tide, which made for strategic surfing as the waves were breaking in sections, and not the long walls the surfers had become accustomed to over previous days.

The surfers had to be in the right position to stay in the most critical parts of the wave and get the best results possible.

“It was a very nice day in this paradise that is Montañita,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The top 150 surfers over 35 years old are here with over 20 World Champions, current and past. A bad day of competition here is better than the best day in most places in the world. So, if you are not watching the live webcast you are missing out.”

Read Full Article

Photo Credit Tweddle/ISA, Rommel Gonzales/ISA

Solid Overhead Waves For ISA World Masters Women

Rochelle Ballard — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 05:26:07 +0000

Amazing conditions continued during Day 2 of the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship with 4-6 feet waves in beautiful Montañita, Ecuador.

Day 2 featured the opening rounds of the Kahunas (over 45), Grand Kahunas (over 50), Women’s Masters (over 35), and Qualifying 2 of the Masters (over 35) and Grand Masters (over 40).

Defending ISA Women’s Masters Gold Medalist, Rochelle Ballard, put on a great performance.

Australia’s Layne Beachley was on fire today scoring a near perfect heat with a 19.87, including the contest’s first perfect 10-point ride. Beachley’s back up score was a 9.87. The 2011 ISA Women’s Masters Champion and 7x ASP World Tour Champion easily defeated Andrea Lopes (BRA, 11.27), Heather Clark (ZAF, 9.80) and Veronique Hayon (FRA, 4.16).

“The waves were amazing today and the performance level from the world’s best Masters was just as good,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The camaraderie on the beach between all the National Teams and the local Ecuadorians is putting out a great vibe. Wave conditions are expected to continue in the head-high range tomorrow, so don’t miss a minute of the live webcast.”

Defending ISA Women’s Masters Gold Medalist, Rochelle Ballard (HAW, 14.17) also put on a great performance beating Akiko Kiyonaga (JPN, 8.40), and Lucila Gil (ARG, 4.20).

Read Full Article

Photo Credit Rommel Gonzales/ISA

Opening ceremony for the ISA World Surfing Championships

Rochelle Ballard — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 20:27:14 +0000

Thousands of people gathered to watch the parade. Flags from all the country’s representing were raised, sand from each country poured into the same sand box, and Fernando, President of the ISA always in festive pants and Hawaiian Kukui Nut lei’s, embracing the love of the sport and bettering the future of surfing in all levels.

The first day starts tomorrow. Today, sunny, blue sky’s, new south swell hitting the coast. Kalani, Sunny, and I went down the coast for a little get away in search of a sweet sand bar. It’s great surfing and hanging out for a contest again with Sunny and Kalani. We spent so many years traveling on tour together, it’s been good catching up and having some good laughs. Sand bars didn’t show much potential, but the drive was beautiful lush coast line. We decided to head back to Montania and surf the point to warm up for the event. Crowded old dudes getting nuts, haha, but the waves were fun and playful. I’m trying out my new Semi Pro. Waiting for a little more swell to pop the five fins set up with the Nubster in the back.

Sunny is first up tomorrow morning. I love watching him surf, his power and style is unlike any, always laying his weight and best into his turns. I’ve been stung by his spray many times. Love Hodel is on the trip with us as well, funny and inspiring. I love the lines he draws and he is always super positive and happy go lucky.

Aloha!
Rochelle

National Teams Announced For The World’s Only Masters Surfing Championship

Rochelle Ballard — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:17:32 +0000

Australia, Brazil, France, Hawaii, Japan and South Africa Sending Powerhouse Teams to The 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in Ecuador

Powerhouse National Teams from Australia, Brazil, France, Hawaii, Japan and South Africa have confirmed their surfers who will be traveling to Ecuador for the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship (WMSC) from April 6-14.

National Delegations from every corner of the globe are getting ready to compete in the warm water and perfect right-hand point-break waves of Montañita, Ecuador for the Eduardo Arena Perpetual Team Trophy and individual Gold Medals.

The defending Team Champion, Hawaii, will be returning with an All-Star lineup featuring 2012’s Grand Masters (over 40) Gold Medalist and 2000 ASP World Tour Champion Sunny Garcia and former ASP World Tour standout Kalani Robb. Garcia will be looking to defend his Gold Medal in the Grand Masters (Over 40) and improve on his 2nd place finish in the Masters (Over 35). Robb, who was the 1994 ISA World Junior Division Champion, is coming back this year to compete for the first time in the Masters Division.

Joining Garcia and Robb on Team Hawaii will be defending Women’s Masters Gold Medalist Rochelle Ballard, Love Hodel (Grand Masters), Mike Latronic (Kahunas over 45), Reuben Balmores (Kahunas) and Shuji Kasuya (Grand Kahuna over 50).

Team Australia has announced that 2011 ISA Women’s Masters Gold Medalist and 7-time ASP Women’s World Tour Champion Layne Beachley will be competing. Along with Beachley, Jack Spooner (Masters), Scott Schindler (Grand Masters), Glen Pringle (Grand Masters), Glen Valaire (Kahunas), Terry Landsberg (Kahunas) and Charlie Sullivan (Grand Kahuna) complete the Aussie’s roster.

Brazil’s National Team includes Sergio de Noronha (Kahunas) and Jojo de Olivenca (Kahunas) who were both ASP World Tour standouts during the end of the 80’s and beginning of the 90’s. Additionally, Saulo Carvalho (Masters), Rogerio Dantas (Masters), Marcelo Alves (Grand Masters), Roni Ronaldo (Grand Masters), Mickey Hoffman (Grand Kahuna), and Andrea Lopes (Women’s Masters) complete the Brazilian squad.

Team France has formed a group filled with veteran ISA Masters. The French Team includes Frederic Robin (Masters), Regis Blanchard (Masters), Oliver Salvaire (Grand Masters), Charlie Philippon (Grand Masters), Eric Lebastie (Kahuna), Eric Graciet (Kahuna), Gilles Darque (Grand Kahuna), and Veronique Hayon (Women’s Masters).

Team Japan will be looking for a strong showing in Ecuador with a talented roster featuring Hiroki Wantanbe (Masters), Takeshi Terakado (Masters), Masanobu Koga (Grand Masters), Katsumi Suzuki (Grand Masters), Masahisa Sakamoto (Kahunas), Yasushi Toyoda (Kahunas), Makoto Takahashi (Grand Kahuna) and Akiko Kiyonaga (Women’s Masters).

South Africa will bring a strong team in search of a third Team World Masters Championship.

The team includes former ASP World Tour standout Greg Emslie (Masters), Gary Van Wieringen (Masters), Wayne Monk (Grand Masters), Carl Roux (Grand Masters), Andre Malherbe (Kahuna), David Malherbe (Kahuna), Chris Knutsen (Grand Kahuna), and Heather Clark (Women’s Masters).

The ISA is expecting over 20 National Delegation and 130 athletes who will be participating in the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship. The full registration list of teams and atheltes will be published soon.

Follow all the action of the 2013 ISA World Master Surfing Championship on the Live Webcast at www.isawmsc.com

Team List

Australia

Masters: Jack Spooner
Grand Masters: Scott Schindler and Glen Pringle
Kahunas: Glen Valaire and Terry Landsberg
Grand Kahuna: Charlie O’Sullivan
Women Master: Layne Beachley

Brazil

Masters: Saulo Carvalho and Rogerio Dantas
Grand Masters: Marcelo Alves and Roni Ronaldo
Kahunas: Jojo de Olivenca and Sergio Noronha
Grand Kahuna: Mickey Hofman
Women Master: Andrea Lopes

France:

Masters: Robin Ferderic and Regis Blanchard
Grand Masters: Olivier Salvaire and Charlie Phillippon
Kahunas: Labastie Eric and Graclet Eric
Grand Kahuna: Darque Gilles
Women Master: Veronique Hayon

Hawaii:

Masters: Sunny Garcia and Kalani Robb
Grand Masters: Love Hodel and Sunny Garcia
Kahunas: Mike Latronic and Reuben Balmores
Grand Kahuna: Shuji Kasuya
Women Master: Rochelle Ballard

Japan:

Masters: Hiroki Watanabe and Takeshi Terakado
Grand Masters: Masanobu Koga and Katsumi Suzuki
Kahunas: Masahisa Sakamoto and Yasushi Toyoda
Grand Kahuna: Makoto Takahashi
Women Masters: Kiyonaga Akiko

South Africa:

Masters: Greg Emslie and Gary Van Wieringen
Grand Masters: Wayne Monk and Carl Roux
Kahuna: Andre Malherbe and David Malherbe
Grand Kahuna: Chris Knutsen
Women Master: Heather Clark

Hana Hou Aloha Yoga Class

Rochelle Ballard — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:34:02 +0000

Hana Hou Aloha Yoga Class | Sunday, March 17th at 4pm

Join us for a collective yoga class with all of the teachers here at the North Shore Wellness Retreat for one last yoga class in Sunset Beach at the North Shore Wellness Retreat.

Pupu potluck after class, with live music by Noelani, Emalia, and Kendyl jammin some ukulele. Come enjoy and share appreciation for the land and sharing time together.

I am happy and sad to announce my Sunset Beach Estate is selling. This will be the last yoga class here at the Sunset Beach Estate. I am moving back to Kauai and will continue with Surf into Yoga Wellness.

This April I will be on the road to Ecuador for the ISA World Masters Championships and then to Panama for a surf adventure.

I will keep you all posted on my travel adventures as well as where to find Yogalign classes and Surf into Yoga on Kauai as well as abroad.

Me Ke Aloha,
Rochelle

Mahalo nui loa to all that have made the North Shore Wellness Retreat special!

Wave Check-Standing Foot Lomi Lomi (massage)

Rochelle Ballard — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:30:58 +0000

Keeping one foot planted even on the ground, engaging the entire leg through to the top of the buttox. Take a deep breath in through the rib cage, like you are sipping through a straw to activate your deep core stabilizer’s. Grab the opposite foot with both hands, allowing the chest to open. As you exhale, keep the lenght in the spine and top of the head. Again inhale sipping the breath and press the foot back as you hold it firmly with your hands, allowing for legnth and opening in the chest. Exhale lengthening and begin to press deeply into the feet from the bottom of the heel to the top of the toes, all the while keeping your hips even and gazing your focus ahead. If you are a surfer, its a perfect time to check the surf. When you release, give the legs a light shake and switch sides.

The more you move with your breath and allow it to be your power, your body will feel light, powerful, agile. Re-aligning the spine back to its natural curves, with support through the back, open in the chest, and stabilized in the core.