| 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?
Frieda Zamba: My
promotion with Xtrak. All the years of repping
finally paid off. I was promoted to Sales Manager
and Team Manager.
JG: Tell us about the first
time you ever stood up on a surfboard. Where was
it and what were you riding?
FZ: It was summertime
at my local beach and I was 12. I borrowed a friend's
board and caught a whitewater wave. I remember
how hard it pushed me forward and I just jumped
straight up. At first I couldn't believe I actually
got up then I realized I was moving and heading
to the beach. I was so excited and I'll never
forget the feeling of the wave pushing me. I felt
so weightless and free. I rode that whitewater
right up on the sand. I just stood there on the
board as it sunk into the sand. I knew at that
moment that I didn't ever want that feeling to
leave my body.
JG: What is your current
favorite board? In 2009 do you have any plans
to experiment with different surfboard designs,
materials or fin configurations?
FZ: My shortboard
is a 5'5" x 18 1/4 x 11 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 2
swallow tail with single concave forward to double
concave between the fins. I do experiment slightly,
but when I find a design I like I'll ride it for
years. I tend to ride my boards short. I only
ride FCS and really like the PC5's.
JG: Do you have any heroes?
If so, who and why?
FZ: My parents have
always been my heroes. As a kid I never understood
the impact of their strength and love on me and
our family, but as I grew and reflect back on
the path my life took it was all the sacrifices
they made that benefited me and our family.
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?
FZ: My first guess
would be Carissa Moore, but I hope it's an unknown
girl from some small island or country that nobody's
ever heard of but a traveling surfer just happens
to get some video of her ripping the back out
of a wave and the maneuver she pulls is a frontside
rodeo but she lands it switch.
For those of you who like to
jump around instead of going one by one, here's
the complete list of surfers...
Image
Caption: Before Lisa Anderson won her four world
titles, another Floridian had already accomplished
the feat. Flagler Beach's Frieda Zamba exploded
onto the tour with a Larry Bertleman-inspired
approach that included lighting speed, quick snaps
and some of the first airs ever attempted in world
tour events. As seen in the recent photo above,
she obviously hasn't lost a step since retiring
from tour years ago. Photo: Mike Rutherford /
mikerutherfordphotography.vpweb.com
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