Alana Blanchard

Alana Rene Blanchard (born March 5, 1990)[1] is an American professional surfer and model. Blanchard has surfed on the ASP World Tour.[2]

Alana Blanchard
Blanchard in October 2013
Personal information
BornAlana Rene Blanchard
(1990-03-05) March 5, 1990
Kauai, Hawaii, United States
NicknameLana[1]
ResidenceKauai, Hawaii, United States
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Surfing career
SponsorsHurley, Reef, SPY Optic, Sticky Bumps, GoPro, Rockstar, Channel Islands[1]
Surfing specifications
StanceNatural (Regular)[1]
Shaper(s)Al Merrick[1]
Favorite wavesHanalei Bay[1]
Favorite maneuversAirs[1]

Early life

Blanchard is the daughter of Holt and Cydney Blanchard. She has 2 brothers Byron (older) and Dorian (younger). Both she and her father are friends of fellow surfer Bethany Hamilton, and they were present when Hamilton suffered the shark attack that cost her left arm at age thirteen.[3][4] Blanchard was played by actress Lorraine Nicholson in the 2011 film Soul Surfer.[5]

Career

Alana Blanchard was first taught how to surf when she was just 4 years old by her father, Holt. Alana rode her first wave at Hanalei Pier in Kauai. Then went on to compete for the first time when she was 9 years old.[6] Blanchard took first place in shortboard at the 2005 T&C Women's Pipeline Championships.[7] She has also won championships in the following:

  • The Women's Pipeline Championships, Hawaii
  • The Rip Curl Girls Festival Junior Pro, Spain
  • The Roxy Pro Trials in Haleiwa, Hawaii
  • The Billabong Pro Pre Trials in Hookipa, Maui
  • The Volcom Pufferfish Surf Series in Pinetrees, Kauai.[8]

Beginning in 2004, Blanchard also established her professional relationship with Rip Curl swimwear, in which she designed and modeled, including a line of wetsuits.[9] In 2020, Rip Curl ended their sponsorship which Blanchard believes was due to her becoming a mother.[10] In a statement, Rip Curl denied that this was the reason blaming it on an inability for Rip Curl and Blanchard to agree to terms of a new deal.[10] In May 2017, the Hawaiian surfer launched the Alana Blanchard Foundation (ABF) with the goal of supporting female talent in the sport of surfing.[6] She also has a large influence on social media with 1.8 million followers on Instagram and 102K subscribers on Youtube.[11]

Personal life

In 2013, Blanchard began dating Australian pro surfer Jack Freestone after they met while on the North Shore of Oahu, HI.[12] In June 2017, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child.[13] Their son, Banks Harvey, was born on December 2, 2017.[14] The couple became engaged in June 2019.[15]

She is a long time best friend and supporter of Bethany Hamilton.[16]

Blanchard is vegan.[17]

References
  1. "Surfer Profile: Alana Blanchard". Association of Surfing Professionals. Archived from the original on 2016-05-12. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  2. "Surfer". Alana Blanchard. Archived from the original on 2016-04-23. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  3. Independent Newspapers Online (2003-11-03). "Teen's surfing dreams shattered in a second - World News | IOL News". IOL.co.za. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  4. "Female teen surfing star loses arm in shark attack of Hawaii shore". Owosso Michigan: The Argus-Press. Nov 2, 2003. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  5. "Bethany Hamilton and the Real Alana Blanchard". History vs. Hollywood. CTF Media. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  6. SurferToday.com, Editor at. "Things you didn't know about Alana Blanchard". Surfertoday. Retrieved 2020-10-07.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  7. Anne Beasley Weber, "Pipeline is for Girls," Surfline.com, publication date unknown, retrieved February 1, 2015
  8. "The 20 Hottest Champions in Sports". Bleacher Report. 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  9. Webster, Andrew. "Manly awash with booty and the beasts | thetelegraph.com.au". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  10. "Alana Blanchard, Rip Curl: Brand ended partnership after pregnancy, response". Fox Sports. 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  11. "Alana Blanchard and Jack Freestone - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  12. "Surfer Girl: Alana Blanchard and boyfriend Jack Freestone are surfing's ultimate power couple". Network A. February 3, 2014. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  13. Buckley, Brendan. "Alana Blanchard And Jack Freestone Are Having A Baby". Stab Magazine. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  14. "Alana Blanchard on Instagram". Instagram. December 2, 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  15. Alana Blanchard (June 13, 2019). "So this happened last night 💍 I love you @jackfreestone". Instagram. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
  16. "How Surfers Alana Blanchard and Jack Freestone Are Riding the Wave During Quarantine". E! Online. May 31, 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  17. Waight, Emily (January 11, 2016). "Exclusive: Q+A With Pro Surfer & IG Star Alana Blanchard". Sporteluxe. Retrieved December 2, 2017.


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