Alana Blanchard Brought Good Energy to Her Stunning SI Swim Photoshoot in Las Vegas

The pro surfer put her bubbly personality on display during her 2013 feature.

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

Whether you’re a big professional surfing fan—and are tuned into the names and faces of the scene—or you’ve seen the movie Soul Surfer, chances are you’re familiar with the name Alana Blanchard. 

The Hawai’i native is both of those things to us at SI Swimsuit, but she’s more than that, too. She’s one of our very own models. The 33-year-old made her debut more than a decade ago, traveling to Las Vegas for her magazine appearance in 2013. Alongside photographer James Macari, the athlete made a splash in front of the camera in a series of bright purple bikinis. 

Neither the spotlight nor swimwear were a new phenomenon for Blanchard, who has been surfing professionally for some time. In 2004, she established her longtime brand partnership with the popular surfing and swimwear brand Rip Curl. With success in competitions, she had certainly grown accustomed to time in the spotlight, and it was evident during her bubbly SI Swimsuit debut.

These days, Blanchard continues to surf regularly. But her practice sessions look different these days. With two young sons that she shares with her partner, former pro surfer Jack Freestone, the athlete is usually taking to the waves with her children in tow (and perhaps even training two future pro surfers).

But we still can’t get over her SI Swimsuit photoshoot from over a decade ago. Here are a few of her fun photos from the day that still stand out as favorites.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

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