Interview Archives

Interviews I did via my Women's Surfing blog in 2011-2012.

 

INTERVIEW WITH SALLY FITZGIBBONS (PROFESSIONAL SURFER)

Focus, talent, skill, passion, and commitment are just some of the words that come to mind when thinking about this professional surfer. Her win at Bells Beach started a domination to earn her the #2 spot on the 2011 ASP World Tour, obviously securing her place for 2012 and becoming a threat to anyone who surfs against her. Yep, it's Sally Fitzgibbons. 

I had the privilege of interviewing Sally about her win at Bells and more, and here's what she had to say-

When did you start surfing?
Sally: Super early, being the youngest in the family I was always wanting to do things ahead of my time. Living near the beach we spent most of our childhood at the beach. I guess surfing was part of my everyday activities. By the time I was five I was kind of surfing and I did my first contest when I was eleven, the Rust Gromfest at Lennox Head. I liked it so much, I haven't stopped!

When and what made you decide to surf for a living?
Sally: I was running competitively and surfing competitively up until I was 16 and events were starting to clash. I remember I had just won gold medals in the 800m and 1500m at the Youth Olympics and was trying to qualify for the World Athletics Championships. At the same time my surfing sponsors were wanting me to do as many Pro Junior contests as I could, which I was really enjoying. Looking into the future, I started to imagine travelling the world, going to exotic islands doing surf events and all of a sudden I stopped running and kept surfing. So I guess surfing picked itself.

You made a cameo in Blue Crush 2, what was that experience like?

Sally: That was loads of fun doing the movie cameo. It wasn't a big part, but I got a chance to see how the movies are shot and we were on location in South Africa when the soccer World Cup was on. I actually had laryngitis so about six months later, when they were finalizing the movie, I had to go back to the studio and do voice part again.

When you won at Bells Beach, it was a very emotional moment. What was going through your head?
Sally: That was such an amazing experience, I still get goose bumps thinking about it. For that to be my first win on home soil, great waves, lots of family and friends, and it was also the 50th anniversary so lots of the past winners were there. I was on such a an emotional high and surfed like five heats in the cold that day. When I was chaired up the steps by my two coaches, I couldn't believe how many people were there cheering. I remember not even having the strength left to lift the mighty Bell, I really was exhausted.

One thing that I've noticed about you is that you are a very focused competitor, and very consistent with your surfing. How do you stay so focused and consistent amidst everything else that goes on? 

Sally: Staying focused is easy for me, but some like to play music and talk a lot, like a nervous energy. I think it helps that I did some distance running when I was young, as you had to train hard and be really focused if you wanted to have any chance. Some quiet time before my heat allows me to gather my thoughts.

Where's your favorite surf spot and why?

Sally: I travel the world now and there are lots of great places to surf like Mexico, Mentawais, Maldives and France, but I really like surfing at home. The waves aren't as good, but it just feels right.

 
Who/what inspires you, not just in your surfing career, but your life in general?
Sally: I am in touch with a lot of inspirational people these days and love watching elite athletes like Roger Federer compete. I think in general I can get excited by people doing anything that they are passionate about.

Any particular music you like to listen to before you go out for a session?
Sally: Not really, I actually like a bit of quiet time and just listening to the ocean.

Dream location for a competition?
Sally: That's an easy one, the Maldives or Micronesia. There are great waves and the weather is warm.

   
Is there anything people don't know about you, but you'd like them to?
Sally: I don't know if I want them to know about it but I do like to play chess! I fly a lot and there are not that many great movies to watch (maybe a few) so playing a game of chess against the computer makes the time pass pretty quickly.

Any thoughts/advice for the lady surfers out there?

Sally: Just give it a try and have fun with it. Surf with a friend, as it is always lots of fun when you see each other catch a good wave, not to mention it is an amazing workout.

INTERVIEW WITH ROSY HODGE (PROFESSIONAL SURFER)

Rosanne (Rosy) Hodge, from East London, South Africa, is most certainly making her mark in the surf community. From her encounters with sharks, to being in Blue Crush 2, both acting and surfing, to shredding it up in competitions, and being one of the best commentators ever (in my opinion) for competitions, she's a very well-rounded competitor who is helping shape the world of women's surfing. I had the privilege to ask Rosy a few questions and here's what she had to say...

When did you start surfing?

Rosy: I started surfing with my older brother and dad when I was 7 turning 8 during the Summer holidays in South Africa.

When and what made you decide to surf for a living?

Rosy: Well I really didn’t want to do much else besides surf from the moment I stood up. I started competing when I was 8 and got sponsored by Roxy about the same time and just carried on from there. I really like competing, and being able to travel and compete seemed like the only option for me. Once I had finished school in 2005, I turned my full attention to competing on the WQS and qualified in my first year.

Being from South Africa, are you more cautious and aware when it comes to things like sharks?

Rosy: I am definitely very aware and cautious when I’m surfing at home. I’ve had a few incidents, like my boyfriend being bumped and hassled by a shark on New Year’s day and a friend of mine being circled by a Great White in front of me at my home break.

Speaking of South Africa, Blue Crush 2 was filmed there and you were the main character's (Sasha Jackson) stunt double... what was that experience like? And did you give the actresses any tips while filming?

Rosy: Yip, Blue Crush 2 was extremely fun! I worked on the movie for 8 weeks. Waking up and finding the best waves and surfing according to script was really cool. The people and the whole atmosphere on set was so much fun. Getting paid to surf my brains out for 8 weeks along the South African coast is something I will remember forever. All the actors were cool and I had to do a bit of acting as the 'mom' in flashbacks scenes. So they would ask me for surfing tips and I was asking them to help me with my camera shyness.

Any funny/exciting surf-related moments on set worth sharing about?

Rosy: Umm, I think every day was pretty fun and exciting. It was sardine season the entire time we were filming and we were surfing some pretty remote waves. I would have 2 safety swimmers in the line-up with me and a water patrol unit with 2 skis and a paramedic waiting on the beach every time I went out.

Where's your favorite surf spot and why?

Rosy: That’s pretty tough. I like so many waves. I recently did a trip to Mexico and I fell in love with the right hand points over there. I also love going to Australia, Hawaii and France.

Who/what inspires you?

Rosy: I think the standard in women’s surfing is inspiring me right now. I’m also inspired by music and people who are creative.

Top 5 must-haves when traveling.

Rosy:

Passport

Roxy Swimwear

iPod

Board

Running Shoes

Dream location for a competition?

Rosy: Somewhere tropical with a consistent right-hander. Maybe it could be a boat trip with all the competitors on the boat and you find the best wave and then you take it in turns to surf and your peers judge you and at the end of the trip the winner gets a business class ticket home and a sweet cash prize?

Any thoughts/advice for the lady surfers out there?

Rosy: Enjoy yourself and it’s almost always worth a surf. Sometimes I get lazy when the waves are looking yuck, but if I do go for a surf in those conditions I’m almost always glad I did.

INTERVIEW WITH ANASTASIA ASHLEY (PROFESSIONAL SURFER)

The California-born surfer, Anastasia Ashley, who spends her time between California and Hawaii, claims she was "bred to surf." After looking at that picture to the left, and pictures like this, I believe her! It's girls like Anastasia that help the woman's cause in man-dominated sports, specifically surfing. I had the chance to ask her some questions and here's what she had to say...

When did you start surfing?
Anastasia: I started surfing when I was about 6 years old. I was boogie boarding before I surfed for a year or so, and also body surfed.

What made you decide that you wanted to surf for a living?
Anastasia: I definitely grew up somewhat bred to surf for a living. I knew at an early age that I was going to be a professional surfer, probably around 10 years old. I focused all of my energy in it, so there wasn't ever anything else I wanted to do.

Modeling is a big part of your life as well, how do you balance the two?
Anastasia: It is, and it isn't, I've never claimed myself to be a model, or gone on a casting call. Most of the media opportunities I've had are because I'm a surfer. I'm not complaining though it’s extremely fun to have people do your hair and makeup, and play dress up!

This is random, but I had to bring it up. I've noticed you're a big fan of cats. Any truth to that?

Anastasia: Yes, I'm a huge fan of cats, and also all animals. I don't have any right now due to traveling and not having the time for one but eventually I want a house full of cats and dogs. I always joke that I'm going to be a crazy cat lady when I'm older.

Where's your favorite spot to surf and why?

Anastasia: My favorite spot to surf is probably backdoor/Pipeline stretch of beach in Hawaii. There is a familiarity there because I grew up surfing that stretch of beach. I split my time between Hawaii and California throughout the year, so when I'm in California I like to surf a spot called Riviera in San Clemente, or Trestles.

Is there any particular music you like to listen to before you go out for a session?

Anastasia: Oh man, a music conversation. I am all over the place when it comes to my favorite music. I like everything from rock, to rap, to classic oldies. Right now I am into Active Child, Kaskade, M83…

Any New Year's resolutions?

Anastasia: Definitely to just stay positive no matter what the outlook.

Who/what inspires you in the Surfing world?

Anastasia: I really appreciate people who do sh*t. I appreciate pushing boundaries. I think it’s fun to be creative with your surfing and not just do "three turns to the beach."

What's the best and worst part of the surf lifestyle?
Anastasia: Worst things: Traveling ghetto style, getting stuck in airports, foreign countries, industry politics, pressure to perform…
Best things: Surfing for a living, surfing, surfing, surfing…

What's something about yourself that most people wouldn't know, but you would like them to?
Anastasia: Hmm… good question, I’m a pretty open book and have had my life pretty out there publicly, so there’s not really much I feel like people don't know .

Any thoughts/advice for the lady surfers?
Anastasia: Don't give up on anything, ever. Don't ever give your dreams up for a man.

 

INTERVIEW WITH CLAIRE BEVILACQUA (PROFESSIONAL SURFER)

Australian surfer, Claire Bevilacqua, holds her own in the surfing world and the picture displayed on the right proves that statement. She's not afraid to try aerials and for that, I'm glad, because if those type of photos don't bring inspiration to women surfers, what will?? Claire is a notable surfer for her sponsor Volcom and now has her own blog with them. With a new year and her 29th birthday coming on the 29th of this month, I had the chance to ask Claire a few questions and here's what she had to say...

When did you start surfing?

CLAIRE: When I was 14... I found a surfboard in the trash on my street.

When and what made you decide to surf for a living?

CLAIRE: When I didn't want to do anything else. It was all I really focused on as a teenager.

What's your favorite surf spot and why?

CLAIRE: At home in West Oz we have this shallow reef slab that barrels. It's a quick fix, but so intense and such a challenge... I love it!

Any particular music you like to listen to before a session?

CLAIRE: I like electronic dance music with deep bass and sexy vocals.

You're blogging for your sponsor Volcom now, can you tell us a little about that?

CLAIRE: I've been a writer since I could spell my name. It's just a natural evolution into a free surfing journalist, rather than a slave on tour with no time to do anything other than fly and grovel small waves against teenagers.

It's a new year! Any specific goals you've set as a professional surfer for 2012?

CLAIRE: I would like to get some big scary barrels on film, and inspire a whole heap of new people, who I haven't reached out to yet, to live a clean, healthy lifestyle full of adventure and natural living.

Who/what inspires you?

CLAIRE: The ocean, the trees, my loved ones and all creatures, great and small.

If you weren't a pro surfer you'd be...

CLAIRE: A mum

Dream location for a competition?

CLAIRE: PIPELINE, HAWAII

Is there anything people don't know about you, but you'd like them to?

CLAIRE: I talk to animals, and I like dancing at outdoor raves, as much as I like surfing sometimes.

Any thoughts/advice for the lady surfers out there?

CLAIRE: Don't worry about guys intimidating you out there, pretend it's just you and the fish in the ocean and no one will break your stride.

INTERVIEW WITH PAULINE ADO (PROFESSIONAL SURFER)

French surfer, Pauline Ado, is shaking up the women's surf world... she's become the 1st European woman to qualify for the world tour for a second time! Although some may consider her quiet, actions speak louder than words and she's certainly making statements with her surfing! Check out her Follow Pauline videos and you'll see what I mean! With her talent, I plan to see good results from this competitor next year...

I had the privilege of interviewing Pauline and here's what she had to say- 

When did you start surfing?

Pauline: I caught my first wave on a surfboard when I was 8. Before that I was only playing on a bodyboard with my friends (only boys). We all decided to start surfing at the same time and loved it right away. I grew up in a very gentle beach, perfect for young kids to start surfing. I started competing soon after when I was 10.

When and what made you decide to surf for a living?

Pauline: Since I started competing, I think I always secretly dreamed of surfing for a living, but I realized I could do it during my first ISA World Junior Championship in Tahiti. I was 13 and it was my first international event with girls around my age.

So how does it feel to be the 1st European woman to qualify for the ASP World Tour for a 2nd year?

Pauline: It feels great! It was my goal this year and it’s a good accomplishment. Especially now the tour is getting tougher and tougher. I’ve always looked up to the French girls that made the tour before me and thought, we can do this, we have good surfers in France. I am sure plenty of other French girls will do good on tour in the next years.

How are you preparing for the 2012 season?

Pauline: There are a few things I would like to improve on in my surfing, in order to score higher, like being more radical and innovative, and to also work on consistency. I’m also physically preparing to be ready to surf all those contests in a short amount of time.

 

Where's your favorite surf spot and why?

Pauline: I’m coming back from the Philippines right now and I think Cloud 9 is my new favourite spot. This wave is very powerful and barreling! I also love the place and the people there. 

Who/what inspires you?

Pauline: In surfing, people like Parko or Dane Reynolds for their style and technique…

Otherwise I really like a French swimmer, Laure Manaudou. She was very successful a few years ago before being written off by the media. She’s now back to competing.

Any specific music you like to listen to before going out for a session?

Pauline: It changes every couple of months, but right  now it’s “Pumped up Kicks" by Foster the People.

Top 5 must-haves when traveling.

Pauline: Magic Board

                 Friends

                 Camera

                 Music

                 After sun lotion (haha)

When you're not surfing, you're...

Pauline: Playing another sport, catching up with friends, blogging 

Is there anything people don't know about you, but you'd like them to?

Pauline: I can actually speak English! haha. I recently had a few people saying that they didn't know I could. I’m just quiet so they assume I don’t…it’s pretty funny though…

Any thoughts/advice for the lady surfers out there?

Pauline: Give 100% of yourself and don’t listen to what people say you can’t do! 

INTERVIEW WITH PAIGE HAREB (PROFESSIONAL SURFER)

Paige Hareb, a New Zealand native, has qualified for the 2012 ASP Women's World Tour and is going into the new year swinging and plans to be more focused than before. She means business and if you don't believe she can handle the work, check out some of her past work at her "local office"!

I had the privelege of asking Paige some questions about being a pro surfer and qualifying for the 2012 tour, and here's what she had to say-

When did you start surfing?

Paige: I think when I was about 5 years old. 

When and what made you decide to surf for a living?

Paige:  I grew up playing a lot of sport and representing my state and country in a few different sports like skiing, soccer, basketball, and tennis, but I had always surfed too. I loved all of them but it was when I was 14 years old all the sports started clashing so I had to make a decision on what ones I liked the best and wanted to stick to. At the same time I got my first sponsor for surfing, I thought that was pretty cool getting free stickers and clothes so that helped me make my decision to stick with surfing, as well as every wave always being different, so I am never going to get sick of it!

How does it feel to be back on tour for the 2012 season?

Paige: Such a big relief. I felt a lot of pressure on me towards the end of this season but somehow I blocked it out and just did what I had to do to get the results and make the cut. 

Any new strategies, preparations you have or are developing going in to the 2012 tour?

Paige: I don't think I've given it my best shot yet. I have been having too much fun traveling the world and meeting new people. For 2012, I'm definitely going to try and train harder and just try harder and stay focused more on the job! 

Since the next ASP women's competition isn't until then, what will you/have you been doing in your time off? 

Paige: To celebrate re-qualifying I went to Ibiza, Spain then I went to Bali, Indonesia to relax and get some fun warm waves before finally going home after 2 months of living out of my suitcase. Home is always home. I will have a few trips across the ditch to Australia before the season starts to get new boards and some more training, but I am also in this 'Fight for Life' boxing match on Dec 3rd as a fundraiser so I have just started training and boxing, getting ready for the big fight, which is something different and exciting for me. 

Where's your favorite surf spot and why?

Paige: There's way too many but I'd probably have to say my local Rocky point because it's not crowded, it's on my forehand and it's just fun! 

Who/what inspires you?

Paige: All sorts of people inspire me in many different ways, I try to get a positive out of everyone and take it on board for myself. I just want to keep getting better as a surfer and as a person and have a whole lot of fun along the way. 

If you weren't a pro surfer you'd be...

Paige: A professional in another sport hopefully! Or a pilot.  

Dream location for a competition?

Paige: Cloudbreak, Fiji 

Is there anything people don't know about you, but you'd like them to?

Paige: Nope :) 

Any thoughts/advice for the lady surfers out there?

 Paige: Be yourself, go hard and have fun!

INTERVIEW WITH LEE ANN CURREN (PROFESSIONAL SURFER)

 You may have heard of this girl and her family before- Lee Ann Curren. Yes, the daughter of legendary surfer, Tom Curren. But Lee Ann shouldn't just be classified as "Tom Curren's daughter" ...this girl holds her own in the women's circuit! Just check out some footage of her surfing and you'll see what I mean!

I had the privelege of asking Lee Ann some questions and here's what she had to say-


What age did you start surfing?
Lee Ann: I think I started at about 5 or 6 years old. I don't remember really the first time I stood up on a board. 

When did you decide that you wanted to surf for a living? And did your dad have any influence over that decision?

Lee Ann: I think I decided when I really got into competing, when I was 15. I always wanted to do a bunch of different sports before and to keep surfing as something I was doing for fun. But my first year competing I realized how much I liked it.

My dad I guess did have an influence on me because I admired him and thought he had the best job in the world, so of course it made me want to do the same. Also him and my mum always believed in me so that really helped. But they never really pushed me to do this, it was my decision. 

Speaking of your dad, does having a surf legend as a father add a certain pressure to succeed?

Lee Ann: I think it does if you think about it a lot. Like if you listen to everybody talking around you it puts a little bit of pressure on you, but when you just focus on doing your thing and having fun and don't think about what's around there is no more pressure.

What's the most difficult part of being a professional surfer?

Lee Ann: I think the most difficult part is also the most amazing part, the fact that you are always on a trip. That's what makes our job a dream, but it can be very tiring when you are traveling alone or in places you don't really know and you also have the pressure of doing good in your contest. You learn a lot and it definitely gets easier with time. 

Where is your favorite spot to surf and why?

Lee Ann: I love surfing at the beach breaks around my home, because you can get good barrels without the fear of hitting the reef.

Any particular music you like to listen to before you go out for a session?

Lee Ann: I listen to a lot of different things, but I think "empathy" from Crystal Castles is a pretty good song for that.

Who/what has inspired you, not just in your career, but in other aspects of your life as well?

Lee Ann: Gwen Stefani because I was a No Doubt fan when i was little.

Where would you like to see ASP hold a women's competition in the future?

Lee Ann: In the Mentawaiis, or in Tahiti. 

Top 5 must-haves when traveling.

Lee Ann: Ipod or whatever has music on it, money, a board, your passport, and a good friend that doesn't snore.

What's something about yourself that most people wouldn't know, but you would like them to?

Lee Ann: I love watching really really really stupid shows. 

Any words of advice or thoughts for the lady surfers out there?

Lee Ann: Believe in yourself and keep having fun.

INTERVIEW WITH DIOGO ALPENDRE (SURF PORTUGAL MAGAZINE ONLINE EDITOR)

Diogo Alpendre. If you've never heard of him in the surf world before, you are now... 

And he's definitely a name to remember. 

Diogo, a 21 year old surfer from Portugal, started a surfing blog 3 years ago.This surfing blog got bigger and bigger and SURF Portugal Magazine took notice. His level of importance with the magazine has grown and as of January 2011, he's now their online editor and has written many pieces for them. Also, he's even had the opportunity to commentate on surf events. Did you watch the 2011 Women's Azores Island Pro? Then you probably heard him commentating! 

I had the privilege of asking Diogo some questions and here's what he had to say-

What got you into surfing?

Diogo: A friend of mine got me into it. We were like 13 and he started surfing with some other friends and one day he invited me to come along and well, it happened. Hooked ever since.

Why do you surf? (or what makes you want to keep surfing?)

Diogo: It's the feeling that only a surfer knows. Of being in the water, feeling connected with the world and the whole World and Mother Nature's energy. It makes me at peace with myself. And I love the rush of being in a wave and having to deal with a lot of things very fast. And it's so cool, it's good for your mind, body and soul..and even your social life. It's a way of sharing with other people that I have never experienced with any other thing or sport.

What made you decide to start a surfing blog?

Diogo: Not really sure. Before I started it, I felt like I didn't have a place where I could express my opinions freely and cover happenings in the surf world as I liked them to be covered... and that got me started. 

When you were contacted by SURF Portugal Magazine, what was going through your head?

Diogo: Yeah, I was super excited, super stoked and kinda nervous because I had done a post criticizing the Portuguese surf mags, saying what they were doing right and wrong, in my opinion, and thought that they were contacting me because of that. (It was ALSO because of that.)

Do you have a favorite/most memorable piece that you've written for SURFPortugal?

Diogo: I wrote a lot of pieces for SURF Portugal! But the ones that come to my mind as my favourites are probably the interview I did with Laird Hamilton a couple years ago and another piece talking about some surfers that, in our opinion, were going to change the face of surfing. That list of surfers, also published a years back, turned out to be pretty accurate... we are in this corner of Europe, and the world, but that doesn't mean we can't analyze things well.

What's your favorite part of being a surf commentator?

Diogo: Being a surf commentator allowed me to travel to a lot of places, so I'd say that's my favorite part of it. But also the fact that it allowed me to work alongside a lot of people, with whom I learned a lot and are some of my mentors.

What's a typical day in your life like?

Diogo: I wake up early and the first thing I do is update SURF Portugal's website and for that I check around 50 or so websites. If I have uni classes after, I attend the classes, if not, I check the surf and go surfing or to the gym. After lunch, I update the website again, go record SURF Portugal's radio show and afterward, hangout with my girlfriend or some friends. It's very important that I keep myself online and available so that if any brand wants to talk with me, they can. Around dinner time, I check the internet again and go to sleep. If any surf event is on, that is my priority and I watch it, from the first heat to the final one, especially the ASP ones. If an event is on during the sleeping period (like Australian, New Zealand, and some of the American events), no sleep for me, I'll stay tuned.

Who are some of your favorite surfers?

Diogo: That's something a lot of people ask me and I can never really answer… I have a lot of favorite surfers. Because this interview is for a women's surfing website, I'll start with the girl surfers. I really like Stephanie Gilmore (powerful and super stylish surfer), Lakey Peterson (powerful, airs, carves), Carissa Moore (all around great surfer), Alana Blanchard (she's beautiful and is a much better surfer than people think! She charges hard and does great carves), Malia Manuel (really polished style), Laura Enever (very exciting surfer, you never know what she'll do next) and I think that's it. The guys- Kelly Slater, of course. Tom Curren, Mark Richards, Rabbit Bartholomew, Dane Reynolds, Wade Goodall, Taj Burrow, Andy Irons, Kolohe Andino, Gabriel Medina, Taylor Knox, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson…and Tiago Pires, obviously.

Where is your favorite surf spot and why?

Diogo: That I have surfed… probably Ribeira D'Ilhas, Ericeira, Portugal- just your typical right point break, mellow wave with some power. The French beach breaks are also amazing. 

That I'd like to surf one day…Trestles, for sure. That's my dream wave! And maybe some spots in Indonesia like Desert's.

Any particular music you like to listen to before you go out for a session?

Diogo: I'm very eclectic, I listen to what I feel like at the time. The Strokes, The Beatles, Mozart, Young Guns 2 soundtrack... it's all on my iPod haha. 

Who/what inspires you?

Diogo: Tiago Pires is definitely an inspiration. But I'm also inspired by people who are determined and follow their dreams and believes and never gives up, in spite of the haters and stuff like that. People like Tiago who, in spite of not having as much talent as others, have the right mind frame and will make things happen for themselves with hard work. Hard work is something I believe and praise.

A Special Word From Diogo: I just want to tell everyone to never give up on what they love and to add surfing to their bucket list. Respect the others in the water so you can also be respected. Write, photograph, record, whatever, everything in your life so you don't feel like you're missing something. Just do something that shows how happy and lucky we are for being alive.

You can check his work out @ www.linhadeonda.blogspot.com and  www.surfportugal.pt. 
(It's all in Portuguese, but no worries... he's starting an English blog soon! Stay tuned!)