She co-founded International Women's Surfing (IWS) and has appeared in several movies and television shows, including, Blue Crush, Step Into Liquid, and Beyond the Break.
With the encouragement of Margo Oberg, another accomplished female surfer, Ballard started surfing at 11 years old.
[citation needed] In 1997, she competed in the Billabong Pro at Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Australia and scored two perfect 10-barrel rides against Layne Beachley in the semi-finals; she went on to win the event after beating Lisa Anderson in the finals.
Ballard continues to hold the women's world record for scoring two perfect 10s in a single heat.
[citation needed] In 1991, Rochelle married cinematographer Bill Ballard; they divorced in 2004.