Abby Balmus

Our Honolua Surf Co. ocean athlete Abby Balmus, of Maui, is well on her way to becoming one of the next rising star surfers here in the Hawaiian Islands. Abby began surfing at age 11 and within a relatively short time in the surf, she became an amazing surfer and a fierce competitor. Now at age 14, Abby has accomplished placing 1st in the overall ratings of the HSA Maui series, in the highly contested Open Women's division and in the Under 14 age division as well. Abby loves to spend time in the ocean anywhere, but her favorite waves on Maui are located at Honolua Bay, Hookipa Beach Park and Laperouse Bay.

Besides having the desire to compete and do well in surfing competitions, Abby also enjoys her free time time in the ocean riding on her foil board, long board and has just recently gotten the desire to surf on a gun surf board in bigger waves too! Just this winter, with the mentoring help of big wave surfers Yuri Soledade and Andrea Moller, Abby was able to tow-in along with paddle surf into some really big waves at one of the worlds most well known big wave breaks, Peahi! What attracts Abby to surf in bigger waves is the overall challenge and excitement it gives her when she pushes herself to ride big powerful waves.

When Abby isn't in the surf, she enjoys volunteering her time and giving back to her island community, along with spending time with her family and friends, playing music on her guitar and piano, working out, or having fun hiking to waterfalls!

The ocean is a happy place for Abby, she says "It's calming, exciting and wild at the same time!" Whether she's having fun competing, hunting for a nice barrel ride at Honolua Bay or riding big waves along Maui's coastlines, you can bet that Abby has a big smile on her face and a heart filled with the aloha spirit!