| 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?
Josie Drude: The
best thing to happen to me in 2008 was that I
finally got to marry the guy I've had a crush
on for 13 years! We just got back from a 2 year
surf trip on our sailboat, so for 2009 we're going
to focus on establishing our roots here in Oceanside...buy
a house, start a family, build my Brazilian Bikini
business (SirenaSurf.Shutterfly.com),
and set some financial goals so we can eventually
leave again on a permanent surf trip with our
kid some day. But until then, we're really lucky
that we don't have to worry about airfare for
surf trips because I'm also a Jetblue flight attendant...so
we're planning on lots of mini getaways around
the world!
JG: Tell us about the first
time you ever stood up on a surfboard. Where was
it and what were you riding?
JD: I started attempting
to surf when I was 18 in 1991 at the OB pier on
my boyfriend's 6'2" potato chip of a board,
back when fish and longboards weren't very cool.
Unfortunately, in addition to being concerned
about that cool factor, I'm also a huge clutz,
so I got worked for about 3 weeks before I could
even stand up. If only I had a cooler boyfriend
who would've pushed me instead into some rollers
at Cardiff Reef on a ten foot board...
JG: What is your current
favorite board? In 2009 do you have any plans
to experiment with different surfboard designs,
materials or fin configurations?
JD: I'm really happy
and comfortable with my current boards. Unlike
my younger self, I'm sold on my 5'9" Hobie
fish, which gets my bootie into the waves, and
generates a lot of speed. For better days, I love
my indestructable 6'1" J. Johnston Aviso
carbon fiber board. I think switching back and
forth between the two has really helped to improve
my surfing, giving me more power, something I'm
always striving for.
JG: Do you have any heroes?
If so, who and why?
JD: My dad, Hudy,
for his valor, sacrifice, and devotion to country;
My mom, Georgia, for her brave, ever-loving, sweet
Christ-centered heart; My husband, Drude, for
his gentle and steadfast manly nature...he's a
stud in all ways, especially in the water.
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?
JD: Carissa Moore
is so powerful and sure-footed, and has been rivaling
the guys her whole short life. It seems she can,
and will, pull off anything the guys can..but
with the grace only a girl can have.
For those of you who like to
jump around instead of going one by one, here's
the complete list of surfers...
Image
Caption: Never heard of Josie Drude before? Josie
was the other half of the duo on the Van Dieman
which sailed around a good portion of the globe
and was chronicled in Surfer Magazine beginning
in late 2005. Josie and Van Dieman-captain-now-husband
Gregg battled everything the ocean threw at them,
including an untimely shipwreck on bare reef.
The slide show of their journey is one of the
best things I've ever seen. Photo: Drude / Van
Dieman Archives
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