| JettyGirl:
While faltering economies, political turmoil and
energy issues dominated most of the headlines
during the past year, much of 2008's good news
slipped through the cracks. What's the best thing
that happened to you in 2008 and what are you
most hopeful for in 2009?
Betty Depolito: Girl
Scouts is sponsoring the Women's Pipeline Masters
in 2009. Their goals match mine in empowering
girls and women, to give them opportunity in the
face of challenges and as always I hope I can
surf more in 2009!
JG: Tell us about the first
time you ever stood up on a surfboard. Where was
it and what were you riding?
BD: My first board
was a 9 foot Hobie Alter that my mom's "sugar
daddy" bought for me for Christmas. I thought
he was one when I saw the board!! I rode it once
at 16 then when out of high school I started surfing.
Surfing was always cool, that was in 1966 or so.
JG: What is your current
favorite board? In 2009 do you have any plans
to experiment with different surfboard designs,
materials or fin configurations?
BD: Favorite board??
All mine are broken. Angulo 9'0" pro model
and old Cheyne Horan 6'6" I found. I am relearning
boards again after I could not walk for a bit,
sore knees. I can ride anything!
JG: Do you have any heroes?
If so, who and why?
BD: Gerry Lopez for
his poise in disaster, Duke Kahanamoku for his
over abounding aloha, Mother Teresa for her work,
Jesus for his revolutionary approach, and God
becuase he is almighty.
For those of you who like to
jump around instead of going one by one, here's
the complete list of surfers...
Image
Caption: There aren't many people in the world
as dedicated to the promotion and advancement
of women's surfing as Hawaii's Betty Depolito.
The driving force behind the world's only all-female
event at Pipeline, Betty has been tireless with
the crusade to run a comp at the famous North
Shore break. Betty's latest project is "Wahine
Blue TV" which airs on digital cable in Hawaii.
The photo of Betty at Pipe is courtesy of HawaiianSwell.com.
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