She is now enjoying a different lifestyle as she says: “I now am living my life in the rhythm of where the swells take me and my heart guides me.”...

What are you up to at the moment?

I am happily living at Sunset Beach, surfing, doing massage, and teaching Yoga.  This winter has been amazing!  Great weather, waves, good times and good friends.

Where you have been lately?

I was in California for the summer promoting my new DVD Surf Into Yoga. It was a year of hard work and being creative, not so much travel.  Actually the first time in 19 years that I haven’t been out of the country.

When you are visiting sea life benefit events like this in San Francisco. What are your tasks at such events and what is your personal interest when supporting them?

The main thing I am there for is to support the cause and inspire people with environmental awareness and healthy high vibrations of living.  Surfing and teaching yoga have been a big part of the inspiration I share with people.  Its starts within to heal and grow and become aware of how we treat other people and the earth.

What do you love about San Francisco most? Could you hook us up with any insider tips (places to see etc. )?

Oh I love San Fran, it is such a diverse dynamic city.  The food is amazing, so many great places to eat, shopping is so fun, and great places to go out for a dance and some music.  One of my favorit things to do is walking up to the parks at the top of the hill and watching the sun set over the city.

You have been surfing at sunset for quite a while now. How have things changed over the years and do you think that girls are respected more today than 10 years ago?

I think I’m sick of this question in every interview for the last fifteen years, progression is natural, growth is inevitable, and respect is acknowledging the presents of pioneering and doing what you love and inspiring people with it.  Rell Sunn and Margo have just as much respect as we did and girls like Stephanie Gilmore and Coco Ho today.

Something that might make the transition to surfing island waves easier?

Nothing is like Hawaii, but swimming in the ocean helps for the endurance and fear factor, and being prepared with a quiver of boards for the different sizes and types of waves.  Respect the locals and pay attention to the line up.

After having been on the tour for so long, what are your most memorable achievements?

My first win at the Gunston in South Africa, getting two tens in the semi’s against Layne and winning the event against Lisa at Burleigh Heads in Australia.  All the boys were hooting and loosing it when I came out of the barrels.  Winning the surfer poll and going on the Op Boat challenge in Indo surfing perfect waves and winning the biggest prize purse in women’s history.  Competing for the world title against Sofia in 04’.  Best year of my life on tour, having fun and loving competing.

What aspect of the tour has had the greatest effect on you as a surfer?

The inspiration from my competitors and the men on tour. It pushes your surfing and makes you want to be a better surfer.  The places we travel too, cultures we experience and people we connect with around the world.  It puts it all into perspective and makes you aware of how much we have it made as well as how small the world is and how much we are truly all alike.

What would you recommend to an upcoming girl who wants to start a professional career?

All the cards are layed out on the table.  There is coaching available, amazing boards, events around the world, and sponsorship opportunities in ever country for the most part.  Its just a matter of desire, commitment, ability, and believing in yourself.

Any improvements in current women’s surf industry that you would like to see?

More support and marketing around the girls.  I think now more than ever there is a great opportunity to sponsor girls for free surfing and cool projects around culture, surfing, environment, and lifestyle that in some ways are far more entertaining and expressing in there surfing than competition.  Not ever good surfer is a good competitor.  Inspiration in surfing doesn’t just come from competition but talent, creativity, and reality of daily living and adventures that some people only dream of.

What is a typical perfect day for Rochelle Ballard?

Wow, its been that lately.  Waking up early, looking out my bedroom window and seeing glassy fun waves, having a cupa mate with my roomy, doing some yoga, surfing with friends, hanging out in the back yard playing music and climbing the trees with friends, doing a massage, making dinner with friends, and topping it with a bon fire dance party in the back yard under the stars and the moon.  Cuddles n kisses till I fall asleep for another amazing day…

Where is your favourite place where you can find some time to relax?

At my house.  It is amazing and sereneYou are really involved in Yoga. Please explain us how this came across and tell us about your first Yoga experience.   I have done yoga since I was 19.  When I left the tour, I decided to make a yoga DVD with a surfing section and share sequences to inspire people with yoga and inspiring people with the liquid energy of surfing, the beauty of the Islands, music, wellness, and environment.  I got so into it, that I decided to become a yoga teacher and continue sharing yoga and a new type of yoga that I just learned.  Its calle YogAlign^tm, a type of yoga that focuses on postural alignment, PNF, ( tightening and releasing muslcels), Opening up the fascia lines, self massage, and breathing through the diaphragm through out the practice.  It has changed my life.

Where did you have your most intensive Yoga session and with whom?

During the YogAlign^tm course I went through some emotional releases that were residing in my body for years.  That was pretty intense to let go of and release.  But the most fun I’ve had doing yoga, was on Dec. 1 09’ at midnight on the full moon with a few friends.  We were all in a circle and I was sharing the YogAlign^tm with them, some had never done yoga and other almost everyday.  The energy of the moon and the unity of our friendships and sharing yoga went from moans of tightness, to laughter, and awareness of the body, the unity we all have and share and the start of the most amazing month I have ever had in my life.  On the second full moon on the 31^st it was a Blue Moon, we all set out intension for the year and did yoga outside under the moon again.  Expressing our intentions, letting go of fears and allowing unconditional love to come into our hearts and minds.

What is your favourite Yoga exercise?

Hand Stand at the moment, it changes..

Please tell us about your project “Surf into Yoga”. What’s different to other Surf Yoga Movies and who did you work with?

I wanted to create a project that inspired wellness, surfing, environment, music, and visual appeal with artistic film.  Expressing how important and valuable yoga is in your life weather you are coming from surfing, snowboarding, bookkeeping at a desk all day, or in a skyscraper doing big business.  Inspiring people with the visuals of the liquid energy of the ocean and surfing, as well as the lush green environment, white sandy beaches and blue ocean.  So no matter where you live, visually seeing that environment while doing yoga creates a feel good energy and inspires people with the beauty of this earth and taking care of your body.

Dropping big waves and pulling into stand up tubes are unimaginable for a lot of girls. Could you give them any advice to overcome their fear?

There is either love or fear.  It’s what you choose to feel.  Over coming fear, is believing in your self, and not making a mountain out of a Mole being light and easy with it helps.  Everything in life has a challenge to it.  It s how you look at it and taking a challenge on without fear that allows us to do the things that we dream of and are passionate about.  If you see it as a thick scary peace of water that can hurt you, that’s what you will get.  If you see it as a beautiful blue room with amazing visuals and a fun ride, it will be.  Laugh when you get worked, be calm dropping in, be aware, and breath deep, things are easier that way.

Is there a good Yoga exercise before surfing big waves?

Deep breathing and a coulple sun salutations can open up the energy and blood flow through the body.  Breathing deep brings more oxygen in to the body and brain, bringing, clarity and awareness.  Its  important to be alert and ready for anything in big waves.

What do you do to stay in shape beside Yoga and surfing?

Running the beach and swimming, love hiking too.

Who were the most influential people in your life and why?

Rell Sunn, Lisa Andersen, Kelly Slater, Tom Curren, and Megan Abubo.  They were all inspiring with there surfing, and there passion and joy for life, the ocean, and giving back.

Beside the “Sunset Smoothy” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv6DyIyf3OI&feature=player_embedded) for breakfast what is your favourite meal?

Sushi!

A temptation for you is?

Partying like a rock star!

What motivates you nowadays?

Inspiring people with wellness, high vibrations, music, art, film, and people.

Is there a saying that you find inspiring?

There are two things in this world, love and fear, where there is fear, it is just without love, replace the fear with love and there is no more fear.

Imagine you are walking along the beach at sunset and a bottle washes up. You grab the bottle and a cute male genie pops out. He allows you three wishes. What would they be and why?

For the world to feel unconditional love without judgement, excepting others and each day for what it is, to be in each moment and not living in the passed or the future

Future thoughts?

Hahaha….laughter, loving, and living free, joyful, and peaceful.

for more infos click: www.surfintoyoga.com www.rochelleballard.com

Interview by Philipp/shackmag