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