| 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?
Elizabeth Pepin Silva:
The best thing that happened to me in 2008 is
that I was the principal photographer for "Surfing:
Women of the Waves" by Linda Chase. It
was a really wonderful project and I got to photograph
some amazing women surfers while working on it.
I'm hopeful that interest in my photography and
in women's surfing in general will continue to
grow in 2009.
JG: Tell us about the first
time you ever stood up on a surfboard. Where was
it and what were you riding?
EPS: The first time
I ever stood up on a surfboard was in March 1986
at San Gregorio Beach which is along the San Mateo
Coast below Half Moon Bay. I was riding a homemade
mini-gun that my friend found in the garage of
a house she had just moved into. It was about
the worst board you could learn on at one of the
worst beaches to learn at, but I had no idea --
I just wanted to surf. Despite everything going
against me, I actually managed to stand up, even
if it was only for a few seconds. But in those
few seconds I fell in love with surfing and my
life was changed.
JG: What is your current
favorite board? In 2009 do you have any plans
to experiment with different surfboard designs,
materials or fin configurations?
EPS: My favorite
board is a 10'0" log shaped for me by Dane
Perlee. It's really for small summer days but
I've started riding it in bigger surf and am surprised
at how well it does. I actually started experimenting
with different fins and different boards in 2008,
pulling out my old '70s shortboard that I used
to ride back in the '80s at Ocean Beach. I couldn't
even stand on the thing! But I did find a new
fin setup for my 9'8" Takayama that has made
my turning a lot better. I also met with Dane
just before Christmas and he's making me a 9'8"
all around longboard which should be done in a
few months. I can't wait to get it as the last
board he made me was so good. I also want to get
a board made by Ashley Lloyd. I fell in love with
one she shaped that I saw in her backyard. It
will be really cool to have a board shaped by
a woman.
JG: Do you have any heroes?
If so, who and why?
EPS: My heroes are
people who try to make the world a better place,
in both big and small ways. Even the simple act
as hooting for a stranger's great ride can bring
joy to someone. I think we all need to do more
things like that.
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?
I think that what
we'll see in 2009 is women really pushing the
boundaries of big wave surfing. When my film partner
Sally Lundburg and I started our film "One
Winter Story" Sarah Gerhardt was the
only woman who had ridden Maverick's. Now there
are quite a few women who have tackled the wave,
each season going bigger or taking off deeper.
It's amazing to witness and an exciting time in
women's surfing. I feel very lucky to be a part
of it.
For those of you who like to
jump around instead of going one by one, here's
the complete list of surfers...
Image
Caption: Winner of five Emmys for her documentary
film work, San Francisco-based surfer Elizabeth
Pepin Silva is also an accomplished author and
photographer. In this photo, Elizabeth is going
over specs of her new board with Santa Cruz shaper,
Dane Perlee. Photo: Neal Casal
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