The Alessa Quizon Story: 5 Major Life Shifts That Redefined The Hawaiian Surfing Icon

Contents

Alessa Quizon, the Hawaiian-born professional surfer, has always ridden life’s waves with as much power and grace as she rides the ocean's. As of late 2025, her life has transformed from the relentless grind of the competitive World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour to a high-profile, influential role as a free surfer, brand ambassador, and the wife of a global sports champion, Max Holloway. This article provides the most current and in-depth look at the major shifts that have defined the life and career of Alessa Quizon, now officially Alessa Holloway.

Born into a classic Hawaiian surf family, Alessa Quizon’s journey is a testament to natural talent meeting fierce dedication. From catching her first wave at the age of four to becoming a global icon sponsored by major brands like Billabong, her transition into a new phase of life—focused on free surfing, brand partnerships, and family—has only amplified her influence in the surfing world and beyond.

Alessa Quizon: Full Biography and Profile

  • Full Name: Alessa Quizon (now Alessa Holloway)
  • Date of Birth: January 2, 1994
  • Age (as of late 2025): 31
  • Birthplace: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
  • Nationality: Filipino-American
  • Residence: Makaha, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
  • Known For: Professional Surfer (former WSL Championship Tour competitor), Free Surfer, Social Media Personality, Brand Ambassador
  • Stance: Regular
  • Major Career Achievements: Qualified for the WSL Championship Tour (CT), Winner of the 2019 Vissla Sydney Surf Pro, Multiple appearances at the Vans US Open of Surfing.
  • Spouse: Max Holloway (UFC BMF Champion)
  • Marriage Date: April 16, 2022
  • Children: Stepmother to Rush Holloway (Max Holloway’s son)
  • Prominent Sponsors/Partners: Billabong, Futures Fins, and other Hawaiian-based brands.

1. The Transition from Competitive Tour to Free Surfing Icon

For years, Alessa Quizon was a fixture on the WSL Championship Tour (CT), battling the world's best female surfers at elite locations like the Gold Coast, Trestles, and the North Shore. Her powerful, dynamic style, particularly her frontside hack, earned her global recognition and major sponsorships.

However, the competitive circuit demands a grueling travel schedule and immense pressure, which often contrasts with the "aloha spirit" of Hawaiian surfing. In recent years, Alessa has consciously shifted her focus, moving away from the full-time competitive grind to embrace the life of a free surfer. This move allows her to choose her waves, focus on content creation, and collaborate with sponsors on passion projects rather than chasing points. Her current focus is on keeping her surfing career "thriving in 2025" through a balanced approach that highlights her native Hawaiian roots and the sheer joy of the sport.

This transition is common for many elite athletes and has proven incredibly successful for Alessa. She now leverages her massive social media following to share breathtaking footage from her home breaks in Oahu, solidifying her status as a lifestyle and cultural icon, not just a competitor.

2. The High-Profile Marriage to UFC Champion Max Holloway

Perhaps the most significant personal and public shift in Alessa's life was her marriage to UFC featherweight champion and "BMF" title holder, Max Holloway. The couple, both proud Hawaiian powerhouses, made their relationship public around 2020.

The relationship quickly captured the attention of both the surfing and mixed martial arts communities. Holloway proposed in 2020, and the two were married on April 16, 2022, in a beautiful beachside ceremony at the Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute in Ko Olina, Hawaii.

Alessa, now Alessa Holloway, has become a constant, supportive presence at Max’s fights, often seen cageside. Their union is a powerful symbol of Hawaiian athletic excellence, blending the worlds of high-stakes combat sports and the serene, powerful art of surfing. The couple, along with Holloway’s son, Rush Holloway, showcase a loving, blended family dynamic that they frequently share with their millions of followers.

3. Navigating the Sensitive Relationship Timeline

Alessa Quizon’s personal life drew media attention in early 2020 when she ended her engagement to fellow professional surfer, Caio Ibelli. The relationship with Ibelli had been public, with the pair even cohabitating in a camper van while traveling on the tour.

This breakup marked a clear turning point. Shortly after the conclusion of her engagement with Ibelli, Alessa began dating Max Holloway, signaling a dramatic shift in her private life. The media coverage, while intense, highlighted her ability to move forward and find happiness. The timeline is crucial: the end of the engagement with Ibelli around February 2020, followed by her relationship with Holloway, culminating in their 2022 marriage. This clarity is essential for understanding her journey and the intense public scrutiny that accompanies high-profile athletes.

4. The Power of Brand Endorsements and Social Media Influence

Even as she stepped back from the competitive tour, Alessa Quizon’s market value has remained exceptionally high, largely due to her authentic connection to the Hawaiian surf culture and her significant social media presence. She has been a long-time sponsored athlete for global surf giant Billabong, a partnership that has endured through her competitive and free-surfing phases.

In 2025, her influence continues to grow through strategic partnerships. She and Max Holloway are often featured together in campaigns, leveraging their "power couple" status. She is part of a high-profile team of Hawaiian surf ambassadors, including legends like Bruce Irons and Koa Rothman, which helps to reinforce her credibility and topical authority in the surf world. Her role has evolved from simply wearing a logo to actively collaborating on content that promotes a healthy, adventurous, and authentic Hawaiian lifestyle.

5. Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Surfers

Alessa Quizon's journey—from a young girl hitting the waves at Makaha to a Championship Tour athlete and now a global free-surfing figure—serves as a powerful inspiration. She has used her platform to discuss the challenges of the tour, the importance of mental health, and the beauty of Hawaiian culture.

By balancing her professional career with her personal life as a wife and stepmother, she demonstrates that success in sports does not have to come at the expense of personal fulfillment. Her continued presence in the water, focusing on the sheer joy of surfing and sharing her free-surf sessions, encourages young women to pursue their passions, whether on the competitive stage or simply for the love of the ocean. Her legacy in late 2025 is less about trophies and more about influence, authenticity, and the enduring spirit of the Hawaiian surfer.

The Alessa Quizon Story: 5 Major Life Shifts That Redefined The Hawaiian Surfing Icon
alessa quizon
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