| 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?
Jenna Balester: With
all the economic and political antics aside, 2008
was a great year I must admit! I met some of the
most amazing people to roam this earth. I made
new friends and strengthened the friendships of
those who matter. I went to Hawaii, got some real
waves, hung out with friends and my 3 MUMs. Ahhh
I love travels!
As
for 2009 I'm starting the year off so strong in
the land down under! I'm going to Australia at
the end of December. Santa's taking me in his
sleigh. While I'm in Australia I hope to have
the most amazing time surfing, competing, running
amuck and being pushed into spas.
JG: Tell us about the first
time you ever stood up on a surfboard. Where was
it and what were you riding?
JB: Well here we
go… As a young gremlin I was not afraid
of anything at all. Me, my brother, my dad and
his friend Buddy all went camping at San Mateo
in San Clemente. Just so you know I was a scrawny
toothpick twelve year old and my brother was around
14. One morning my dad and Buddy decided they
were going to drive down to Oceanside to surf
the Harbor, me and my brother went along. The
boys paddled out, while my brother stayed on the
inside because the waves were 5-6 foot plus. As
I stood on the beach I knew where I wanted to
be and it wasn't on the shore. So I put on my
wetty, grabbed my 6'8" beast of a Balestar
surfboard, which was my dad’s old board
and headed into the Ocean. My brother was trying
to show me where to stay on the inside but I was
determined to get out to where my father was.
So out I went! I could hear my brother screaming
my name trying to get me to come back in. I was
headed into danger's grasp! Seems as though something
was on my side because not knowing when to paddle
out I luckily went out in between sets. As I got
closer to my dad I started to yell for him, he
turns around and in shock yells "what are
you doing out here?" In a panic he talks
me through what is going on...in a few words he
tells me the set is coming so I followed him out
a bit (keep in mind I can't duck dive the large
board I was on). I made it out past the first
two waves then end up turning around on the third.
My dad was so surprised as he starts yelling "paddle,
paddle" so I did so and I stood up so far
back on the board that I make the drop and just
continue to ride straight with my knees bent so
much that I think my bottom was hitting my board.
No backwash or bump could phase me. After my so
called bold maneuver I was the talk of the campfire.
Ever since that day I knew I was hooked! Did I
answer your question?
JG: What is your current
favorite board? In 2009 do you have any plans
to experiment with different surfboard designs,
materials or fin configurations?
JB: My current favorite
board is my 6'0" rounded thumb tail. Well,
I love trying new shapes and designs. What's rad
about surfboards is that you can change the slightest
thing and the board is completely different. In
2009 I want to experiment with some quads.
JG: Do you have any heroes?
If so, who and why?
JB: Someone who does
and has always held heroic qualities in my life
is my father. He is a strong, opinionated, completely
smart and inventive guy who knows how to do almost
anything. He's always been there for me with whatever
I wanted to do. He's the reason I've found such
a love for the ocean! You should meet him...he's
rad!
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?
JB: In 2009 I feel
that either Silvana Lima or Melanie Bartels will
set new limits for women's surfing. Raising the
bar by consecutively pulling airs and just continuing
to push limits!
For those of you who like to
jump around instead of going one by one, here's
the complete list of surfers...
Image
Caption: Shooting surf photos in the water almost
always brings about close encounters but this
under-the-board view of Jenna Balester was a little
too close. Her board just barely missed my head...which
is precisely why I wear a helmet. I wasn't worrying
though because Jenna virtually never falls. In
an unfortunate and ironic twist, Jenna got nailed
in the head by an out of control kook while she
was paddling back out. Photo: Chris Grant / JettyGirl.com
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