Ian Walsh
Country: USA
Nick Name: IW
Date of birth: 05/10/1983
Height: 5’11″
Stance: regular
Sponsors: Red Bull, Fox, Lost, Da Kine, Hi-Tech Surf Sports, Skullbase, Christenson, Upcountry Fitness Maui, Future Fins
Best Big Wave: Jaws
Favorite Big Wave Board: 10’6” quad
Worst Wipe-Out: Jaws, Tahiti, Japan
Hobbies: cooking, snowboarding
Website: www.weekwithwalshy.com
Facebook: RealIanWalsh
Ian Walsh is one of those very special talents in the big wave arena. Growing up in Paia, Maui, Ian’s love of the ocean started very early in life. He now resides in Haiku, and from 2 foot to 60 foot, the guy flat out rips. Whether it’s short boarding, towing, or big wave paddle surfing, Ian has left his mark on the surfing world. He began tow-surfing Pe’ahi by the age of 16, and by 21 he’d already been nominated for the Billabong XXL “Wave of the Year.” He graduated high school as the valedictorian, so don’t let the laid back vibe fool you, he’s a very bright fellow. He has also been organizing and running an amateur contest for the local Maui kids called “Menehune Mayhem” over the last ten years. Currently, Ian has been part of the paddle-in surfing charge at Pe’ahi, pushing the envelope on his 10’6 gun, getting barreled off his ass.
Records and Contests
Monster Energy Pro @ Pipeline 2006 3rd place
Xcel Pro @ Sunset 2005 1st place
WCT Ripcurl Pro @ Sunset in 2005 (reached semis)
Xcel Pro @ Sunset 2004 3rd place