At the young age of 23, the Maui native has established himself as an extremely well respected big wave and contest surfer. Known as one of the youngest surfers to ride Jaws, in 2004 Walsh was rewarded with a second place win in Billabong’s XXL award for his 68-foot wave.
Likewise, Walsh has taken numerous top spots in contests around the globe. In 2005 he placed first in the Excel Sunset Pro and third in the Pipeline Pro in 2006. Last year, Ian took first and $25,000 at the O’Neill Mission in French Polynesia where he was voted by his peer surfers for his top waves.
“In my opinion, Ian is one of the best surfers in all disciplines,” said Geoff Moysa, Gravis Surf Team Manager. “Ian’s talent and commitment to surfing is what the whole Gravis team is built on, we are stoked to have him join our stellar roster.”
“I have a few close friends that ride for Gravis and they have always spoke very highly of being part of the team and all the people that put so much time and energy into making the company so good,” says Ian. “I am really psyched to grow with the company!”
“Every team needs a guy who can blow up in anything from two-foot slop to 20-foot death barrels and that’s what we’ve got in Walsh. He also happens to be super personable, organized and really professional,” adds Matt Patterson, Creative Director of Surf.
To top off his surfing talents, Ian also takes time out to give back to the youth community of his hometown. For the past four years Ian and his family have helped organize the Menehune Mayhem contest at his home break of Hookipa, Maui. “I want give kids an experience and the feeling of winning something big,” says Ian.
Ian joins Gravis’ talented and diverse family of surfers including Dave Rastovich, Rizal Tanzung, Kassia Meador, Benji Weatherley, Claire Bevilacqua, Marlon Gerber and Sanoe Lake and brings his own distinct style and talent to the group. Stay tuned for images and video of the team on their recent shred fest in Bali.
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