Ballard Hurt in Qualifying for Surfing Final
Rochelle Ballard, an experienced big-wave rider from Hawaii, was injured Thursday in the G-Shock U.S. Open of Surfing when she got caught inside the Huntington Beach Pier while riding a seven- to eight-foot wave and smashed into a concrete piling.
Ballard, who emerged from the water with a large bump on her head and numerous cuts, was taken to a local hospital and later released.
Ballard qualified for today’s rescheduled Wahine women’s final and is expected to compete against world champion Lisa Andersen of Florida and Australians Neridah Falconer and Pam Burridge.
In the men’s division, three-time world champion Tom Curren of Santa Barbara continued to successfully test the comeback waters as he advanced with back-to-back 7.0 rides near the treacherous pier.
Curren, the world champion in 1986, 1987, and 1990, recently announced that he will try to get back on the World Championship Tour.
Today, Curren will face Eric Viscosi of Temecula, Shawn Sutton of Hawaii and Kaipo Jaquias of Hawaii in a heat.
Also scheduled to compete today is defending world champion Kelly Slater.
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