Pro Surfers Share The Best Beaches

By Tessa Trudeau

For professional surfers Alessa Quizon, Honolua Blomfield and Alyssa Spencer, surfing isn't just a fun hobby, it's a way of life. Their love of the sport began when they were just little girls, a passion passed down in their families, something they were born to do.

These days, they're crushing competitions and traveling around the world to conquer swells some people only dream of. Learn about their favorite places to surf and sun, plus what they pack in their beach bags.

Age: 25
Team: Billabong
Hometown: Mākaha, Oahu, Hawaii

How old were you when you started surfing?
I started surfing at the age of four with my dad pushing me into waves.

Did you always want to be a pro surfer?
Since the first time I could catch a wave by myself without my dad pushing me in. It's been my dream ever since.

How did you get into it?
Surfing has been a part of my family for many generations, especially being born and raised in Hawaii.

Where is your favorite place to surf?
My home, Mākaha Beach [on the island of Oahu].

Where is your dream surf destination?
Macaronis [a surf spot in Mentawai, Indonesia].

What do you normally surf in?
I mainly surf in my Billabong bikinis, but if the water is cold, then my Billabong wetsuits.

What's your greatest accomplishment since becoming a pro surfer?
Qualifying for the World Surf Champion Tour and being a part of the Billabong family.

What's your favorite trick?
Barrels. This is when a wave is curling over its peak, causing a breaking wave between the lip and face. A surfer may be completely hidden from view during a barrel ride, especially from shore.

What are your beach bag must-haves?
My Clarins face sunscreen, body sunscreen, an extra bikini and the Olaplex No. 3 hair mask. 

What's your favorite beach for sunbathing?
Anywhere in Hawaii.

What's your favorite workout outside of surfing?
Boxing, Ginastica, yoga or training with my trainer at NAKOA Fitness.

How old were you when you started surfing?
I honestly have no clue—before I could walk? My mom used to put me on the front of her surfboard when I was a baby!

Did you always want to be a pro surfer? How did you get into it?
I have an older brother, and he used to surf well, so I wanted to be just like him. I used to copy all of his tricks and try to keep up with whatever he was doing. When I did my first contest at four years old, I fell in love. That's when I knew I wanted to be a pro.

Where is your favorite place to surf?
My favorite place in the world to surf would have to be Tahiti.

Where is your dream surf destination?
My dream surf destination is the Maldives—pretty blue water and turquoise barrels!

What do you normally surf in?
It really depends on the weather and wave conditions. If the waves are small and it's sunny, I'll wear a bikini all day long. But if the waves are a little bigger, I'll definitely switch to one of my O'Neill surf suits. They're great for bigger waves because they don't fall to your ankles if you get smashed by a wave.

What's your greatest accomplishment since becoming a pro surfer?
I was the 2017 Women's World Longboarding Champion. But other than that, I love inspiring girls to surf and sharing my love of surfing with people all around the world.

What's your favorite trick?
A switch stance, which is just as it sounds. Surfers stand either "goofy" or "regular." But usually surfers are only one of the two, and I like to switch it up and stand the opposite way that I usually stand.

What are your beach bag must-haves?
A few of my favorite O'Neill bikinis, a speaker, sarong and a Guayakí Yerba Mate.

What's your favorite beach for sunbathing?
Keiki Beach on the North Shore of Oahu.

What's your favorite workout outside of surfing?
Skateboarding or dirt biking.

How old were you when you started surfing?
Six years old.

Did you always want to be a pro surfer?
I've always just surfed because I love it and love being in the ocean. Ever since I was young, I always dreamed of becoming a professional surfer.

How did you get into it?
I would go to the beach with my family all the time and watch my dad surf. He's the one who inspired me to start.

Where is your favorite place to surf?
Bali, Indonesia.

Where is your dream surf destination?
Mentawai, Indonesia. I've always dreamed of surfing there because the waves are so perfect.

What do you normally surf in?
I love to surf in a bikini, but living in California, I'm usually in a wetsuit.

What's your greatest accomplishment since becoming a pro surfer?
Winning the gold medal in the ISA World Junior Surfing Games in 2017. It was so amazing to accomplish that alongside my team, who also won the overall team gold medal.

What's your favorite trick?
My favorite is to get barreled. It takes a lot of practice and time to find those kinds of waves that offer the opportunity. It's an amazing feeling to be inside a barrel and be surrounded by the ocean.

What are your beach bag must-haves?
A Rip Curl bikini, sunglasses, sunscreen, Sex Wax, a towel and sarong, a speaker and a Polaroid camera.

What's your favorite beach for sunbathing?
Any beach in my hometown of Carlsbad. My favorite place to surf and hang with my friends is Seaside Reef in Encinitas.

What's your favorite workout outside of surfing?
I work out with my trainer, Jason Maher, at Resilient Strength. We usually focus on strength and conditioning exercises. I also love boxing.