6 Amazing Photos of Pro Surfer Alana Blanchard in Las Vegas

The athlete was featured in the SI Swimsuit Issue 10 years ago.

Alana Blanchard was photographed by James Macari in Las Vegas.James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Professional surfer and mom Alana Blanchard was featured in the 2013 SI Swimsuit Issue after posing for photographer James Macari in Las Vegas.

Blanchard, a native of Hawai’i, began surfing professionally at the age of 9. Six years later, she won the women’s shortboard competition at the T&C Pipeline Surf Championships.

While she’s used to hitting the beach in a bikini with a surfboard in tow, Blanchard’s SI Swimsuit photo shoot took place in a bit of a different setting—at Caesar’s Palace.

“I was so surprised and so excited,” Blanchard told SI Swimsuit about her opportunity to pose for the magazine. “To be a part of it has been a dream of mine forever, just to be among all those amazing women.”

At the time, the 33-year-old called her feature with the franchise the “best shoot of my life,” and noted that she grew up reading the magazine and always appreciated the amazing artistry of the images. As for how her own photos turned out, Blanchard was floored.

“I’m always a little shy of photos of myself but I loved the SI shots,” she admitted. “My family and friends were all so happy for me. I live in a small island so it’s kinda cool for everyone to see me in the issue.”

Today, Blanchard is a proud mom of two. She and her partner, Jack Freestone, share two boys, Koda and Banks. She’s also the co-founder of Pursuit Beauty, a line of vegan, paraben-free, sulfate-free and reef-friendly SPF and skincare products.

Below are six of our favorite images Macari captured of Blanchard in Las Vegas.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

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