Alana Blanchard, multi-year deal signed and in the bank. Photo: Clare Plueckhahn
When Alana Blanchard was just a fourteen-year-old ripper from Kauai and not a global phenomenon, Rip Curl showed some pretty good foresight by picking her up as a brand ambassador.
And now, ten years later, they’ve renewed their vows with the Hawaiian model/surfer. It’s not too much of a surprise, considering Alana’s position in surfing. She is, without a doubt, one of the sport’s highest profile athletes. She’s been consistently performing on the Women’s WCT and hold the title of Surfer Poll Award Winner – basically surfing’s “Most Popular Student” award. Her re-signing comes at a time when the industry is struggling, dropping many of their athletes in an effort to cut costs.
“I’m so excited to be renewing with my long time partner Rip Curl. They’re like family to me,” stated Alana in a press release.
Among other things, Alana’s been collaborating on Rip Curl products, designing bikinis, wetsuits, among other things. For better or for worse, eyes are on her, and Rip Curl loves it. “After 10 years with us, we’re really stoked to have Alana resign for another long term,” said Neil Ridgway, Group Advertising and Marketing Chairman in the same release. “We love her at Rip Curl, she is a very important surfer to us.”
