Rochelle Ballard was in tears after her second-round heat of the Roxy Pro women's surfing contest yesterday at Sunset Beach.

She didn't win the contest yet — yesterday was the first of two days. But she wasn't eliminated either.

That means she gets to surf another day.

When your lifelong dream job is coming to an end, every day — every wave — can become an emotional ride.

"I was so nervous; I think I was just too excited," Ballard said. "I'm such a passionate person, and I love this sport so much. Hopefully, I got the nerves out and I can just relax and have fun surfing (on the final day)."

Ballard, 36, will retire from the women's World Championship Tour at the end of 2007. The Roxy Pro and next month's Billabong Pro Maui contests will be her final events on the tour.

It will bring to a close one of the most enduring and under-appreciated careers in women's professional surfing.

Ballard, who was raised on Kaua'i but now resides at Sunset Beach, has been on the tour since 1991. Only three others in the history of the women's tour have had longer careers: Australians Pauline Menczer, Pam Burridge and Layne Beachley.

What's more, Ballard finished in the top eight of the year-end rankings 10 times, including a No. 2 finish in 2004.

"I'm super-happy about everything I've done in my career," she said. "It's been a dream come true to do all the things I've done in surfing. But at the same time, I'm excited for change. I'm ready to move on."

The rest of the tour may not be ready for her to leave.

Ballard has been an unofficial spokeswoman for the women's tour for more than a decade. She helped form a union for the surfers a few years ago, and was a leader in the drive to move women's events to bigger-wave venues with more prize money.

"Rochelle is what I call an icon in the sport," said Randy Rarick, executive director of the Triple Crown of Surfing. "She tirelessly championed women's surfing, which is a really unselfish act. Unfortunately, there aren't that many other competitors like that. She's going to be missed."

Although she never won a world championship or Triple Crown title, Ballard is considered one of the best big-wave surfers on the women's tour.

"I think she's developed a style over the years that's helped establish what women's surfing is today," Rarick said. "Even though she hasn't won a world title, I think she still has the respect of everybody in surfing."

Ballard said she will still take surfing trips and compete in selected events in 2008. She would also like to pursue other interests, including cooking and massage therapy.

She will also continue to help groom Hawai'i's young female surfers. In 2001, Ballard started a surfing camp for girls.

"I was the only girl from Hawai'i on the tour when I first started," she said. "Now I look to the future and see all these great young surfers coming up. It really makes me proud."

One of those young surfers, Coco Ho from Sunset Beach, won her first-round heat in the Roxy Pro yesterday. Ho had to win two trials heats to get in to the contest. At 16, she is the youngest in the field.

"I've been to every one of Rochelle's camps," Ho said. "She's such a great role model."

When Ho's surfboard broke yesterday, Ballard offered a spare.

"I won my heat with her board," Ho said. "If it wasn't for her, I don't know what I would have done."

Statistically, 2007 has been the worst season of Ballard's career — she is currently ranked No. 17. She hopes to change that in the final two events.

"I know these are my last two events," she said. "I just want to enjoy it as much as possible."

Ballard and Ho both advanced to the quarterfinals yesterday. Others advancing included Australia's Stephanie Gilmore, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the world, and Hawai'i surfers Megan Abubo, Melanie Bartels, and Leilani Gryde.

The Roxy Pro is the second event in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing for women.

Abubo won the first event at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach two weeks ago. Bartels is the defending champion of the Roxy Pro.

The men's O'Neill World Cup of Surfing ran four trials heats, and four heats of the first round. Hawai'i surfers advancing to the second round were John John Florence, Evan Valiere, Flynn Novak and Jensen Hassett.

Both the men's and women's events could continue today, conditions permitting. For status of the contests, call 596-7873 or visit www.triplecrownofsurfing.com.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.