Growing up in the small town of Longport New Jersey the furthest point south on Absecon Island Walsh quickly was absorbed into the rich history of surfing on the Island that had the top notch quality waves at the piers in Atlantic City. Growing up at the beach Frank initially rode styrofoam boogie boards but as soon as he was gifted a regular surfboard he skills rapidly improved. Entering ESA contests Walsh was a consistent finalist and won the prestiges long running Absecon Island Surfing Championship beating all comers in the grand final. Heritage Surf Shop recognized his talent and put him on their team when he graduated high school and Frank immediately headed off to a professional career.
Frank soon was sponsored by Quicksilver, Smith Optics and Sector 9 and began his long time relationship with John Carper of JC Hawaii which bring him to Hawaii where he soon earned a reputation as a surfer who charged big waves. Frank would spend 20 winters on the North Shore competitive in contests at Sunset Beach, Pipeline and Velzyland. He would go on to have a number of video parts in East Coast Hall of Famer Kevin Welsh’s NRG series, Lost and Sector 9 films and in his brothers JJ Walsh’s surfing videos most notable his long form Aqueous vid. Frank thru his relationship with Quicksilver was able to travel the world surfing some of the most iconic surf breaks in places like Australia, Indonesia and a stint on the Quicksilver Crossing on the Indies Trader.
Frank’s competitive career was notable for wins over Tommy Curren at the ECSC in Virginia Beach and the 2004 Jersey Grudge Match Champion an event he was always a top finisher held at the Seaside Heights Pier before Sandy destroyed it in 2012. During the early 2000’s Red Bull held a mid winter pro event during the biggest swell that would hit the North East inviting all the top East Coast surfers with Frank always in the running to make the podium. These days Frank lives in Ventnor New Jersey with his wife Ashley and young son Frankie JR. working as an Atlantic City Fireman still surfing the local beaches.
