| 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?
Courtney Conlogue:
The best thing that happened to me in 2008 was
winning my first NSSA National Open Women title
at Lowers. I had put five solid years of training,
success and failure into this one and finally
accomplished one of my big goals. I won the Conference
Southwest Open Women Champion 4 consecutive years.
I won the NSSA Trifecta too with my first place
wins as the Conference Southwest Open Women champion,
Western Regional Open Women Champion, and the
National Open Women Champion. In 2009 I'll enter
my senior year in high school which I’m
looking forward to.
JG: Tell us about the first
time you ever stood up on a surfboard. Where was
it and what were you riding?
CC: I do remember
my first time surfing very clearly. We used to
caravan with several friends and head to Mexico
for surfing and fishing trips. We'd drive pretty
far south to a spot that had great waves and no
one around but our group. We'd stay for a few
weeks at a time. My dad has surfed all his life.
On this trip I was 4 years old and I watched my
dad and his friends surf as I always did. My dad
never pushed any of us to surf. It was his thing
and I guess he figured if we were interested we'd
start. On this trip I asked my dad to take me
out. I don't remember what I was riding the first
time I stood on a surfboard. It was probably one
of my dad's surfboards. That's all it took. I've
been surfing ever since that first time. My dad
bought me my first surfboard shortly after that
trip. It was a Rawson that we found at the Rip
Curl Outlet in San Clemente. My sister and brother
both surf too.
JG: What is your current
favorite board? In 2009 do you have any plans
to experiment with different surfboard designs,
materials or fin configurations?
CC: My favorite board
right now is a Bushman Surfboard. Bushy and I
have been experimenting with things to try and
discover my dream shape and constantly work on
ways to better the technology and craftsmanship
of my equipment under my feet. He's a very talented
shaper. My dad has always encouraged me from the
beginning to experiment, learn, and educate myself
regarding my equipment.
JG: Do you have any heroes?
If so, who and why?
CC: Lisa Anderson
is my hero because she helped bring women's surfing
to what it is today. Her powerful moves and rail
to rail surfing were solid. She changed what surfing
was and how to surf for many of the female surfers
of her time. As a result, more and more female
surfers are surfing correctly, want to continue
improving, and are trying new things. As a young
female athlete I'm grateful to the females that
went through many obstacles before me and helped
the future of women's surfing. The young women
today need to be thankful and recognize the women
before them.
JG: In 2009 we'll see the
best single maneuver ever done by a female surfer.
Who do you think will pull the move and what do
you think it will be?
CC: I don't know!
It's difficult to say. I still like to see great
rail to rail, carving, power surfing. I don't
think you can ever replace that.
For those of you who like to
jump around instead of going one by one, here's
the complete list of surfers...
Image
Caption: Some things just aren't fair. This was
Courtney's first wave in her first round heat
at an NSSA comp. It must be pretty demoralizing
to be paddling out and see your fellow competitor
throwing down upside down hooks on the first wave
of the heat. Courtney's progress has been well-documented
and with good reason...she is an amazing surfer
with a serious future in the sport. Photo: Chris
Grant / JettyGirl.com
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