Ian Walsh
Ian Walsh
Surfing Ambassador
Hometown: Haiku, Hawai’i
Resides: Haiku, Hawai’i
One of the world’s hardest-charging big wave surfers, Ian Walsh has been leading the Menehune Mayhem youth event on his native Maui since 2003. He’s now working to develop youth engagement events around the world. “The most important thing to me,” he says, “is using this platform to teach kids that they’re the future stewards of the planet.”
Career Highlights
- Creating Menehune Mayhem, a free nonprofit annual event that promotes surfing, sportsmanship, creativity, scholarship and environmental awareness for the youth of Maui at Ho'okipa Beach Park, December 2003
- Turning Menehune Mayhem into a 501(c)(3) 2016
- Partnering with Patagonia May 1, 2017
- Releasing Distance Between Dreams, December 2016
- Third-place finish, Xcel Pro Sunset Beach 2004
- Xcel Pro Sunset Beach Winner 2005
- HIC Pro Sunset Beach Winner 2015
- Third-place finish Monster Energy Pipeline Pro 2006
- WSL Hawaii Regional Series Winner 2015
- SURFER Poll Heavy Water Award Winner 2008
- SURFER Awards Best Documentary Winner (Distance Between Dreams) 2016
- Fourth-place finish WSL Pe’ahi Challenge 2015
- Eddie Aikau Invitee 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Nixon Tavarua, Fiji Event Winner 2010
- Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge - Mt Bachelor Winner 2014
- Fourth-place finish Sunset Open 2011
- Fourth-place finish Vans World Cup of Surfing 2014
- O’Neill The Mission Winner 2006
- Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards finalist 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014