Blog Archive

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Interview with Rosy Hodge

ROSY HODGE

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.



Special thanks to Rosy Hodge for doing this interview!!! x


Saturday, February 18, 2012

Interview with Anastasia Ashley

ANASTASIA ASHLEY

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.

Special thanks to Anastasia Ashley for doing this interview! x 

Interview with Claire Bevilacqua

CLAIRE BEVILACQUA

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.
Happy (Early) Birthday, Claire! Thanks for the interview! x