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 | |
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Blanchard in October 2013 | |
Personal information | |
Born | Alana Rene Blanchard March 5, 1990 Kauai, Hawaii, United States |
Nickname | Lana[1] |
Residence | Kauai, Hawaii, United States |
Height | 5' 8" |
Surfing career | |
Sponsors | Hurley, Reef, SPY Optic, Sticky Bumps, GoPro, Rockstar, Channel Islands[1] |
Surfing specifications | |
Stance | Natural (Regular)[1] |
Shaper(s) | Al Merrick[1] |
Favorite waves | Hanalei Bay[1] |
Favorite maneuvers | Airs[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
Blanchard took first place in shortboard at the 2005 T&C Women's Pipeline Championships.[6] 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.[7]
Blanchard also designed and modeled Rip Curl swimwear, including a line of wetsuits.[8] In 2020, Rip Curl ended their sponsorship which Blanchard believes was due to her becoming a mother.[9] 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.[9]
Personal life
In 2013, Blanchard began dating Australian pro surfer Jack Freestone after they met while on the North Shore of Oahu, HI.[10] In June 2017, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child.[11] Their son, Banks Harvey, was born on December 1, 2017.[12] The couple became engaged in June 2019.[13]
She is a long time best friend and supporter of Bethany Hamilton.[14]
References
- "Surfer Profile: Alana Blanchard". Association of Surfing Professionals. Archived from the original on 2016-05-12. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- "Surfer". Alana Blanchard. Archived from the original on 2016-04-23. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
- 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.
- "Female teen surfing star loses arm in shark attack of Hawaii shore". Owosso Michigan: The Argus-Press. Nov 2, 2003. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- "Bethany Hamilton and the Real Alana Blanchard". History vs. Hollywood. CTF Media. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- Anne Beasley Weber, "Pipeline is for Girls," Surfline.com, publication date unknown, retrieved February 1, 2015
- "The 20 Hottest Champions in Sports". Bleacher Report. 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
- Webster, Andrew. "Manly awash with booty and the beasts | thetelegraph.com.au". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
- "Alana Blanchard, Rip Curl: Brand ended partnership after pregnancy, response". Fox Sports. 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
- "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.
- Buckley, Brendan. "Alana Blanchard And Jack Freestone Are Having A Baby". Stab Magazine. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
- "Alana Blanchard on Instagram". Instagram. December 2, 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
- Alana Blanchard (June 13, 2019). "So this happened last night 💍 I love you @jackfreestone". Instagram. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
- "How Surfers Alana Blanchard and Jack Freestone Are Riding the Wave During Quarantine". E! Online. May 31, 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
- Waight, Emily (January 11, 2016). "Exclusive: Q+A With Pro Surfer & IG Star Alana Blanchard". Sporteluxe. Retrieved December 2, 2017.