| 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?
Laurina McGrath:
Best thing in 2008?? I had a really fun, consistant
year competition wise but nothing really stands
out. Being able to go back to Peru was amazing.
I didn't have the best experience there the first
time and was reluctant to go back. I'm so glad
I did, it was definitely one of my favorite stops
this year.
2009
will be a big adjustment as I'm not competing
for the first time since I was 14. The tour is
so expensive and without the support of sponsors
I'm forced into early retirement. We'll see how
long that lasts...
JG: Tell us about the first
time you ever stood up on a surfboard. Where was
it and what were you riding?
LM: It was at The
Pass in Byron Bay. I was 13 and it was the most
beat up, brown 6'6" heap of junk board. The
first wave I rode was about 3 inches high and
the fins were dragging in the sand with my dad
walking alongside holding my hand. I'm sure it
lasted about 2 seconds but it's still a really
vivid memory.
JG: What is your current
favorite board? In 2009 do you have any plans
to experiment with different surfboard designs,
materials or fin configurations?
LM: In 2007 my all-time
favorite 5'11"got stolen from my rental car
on the North Shore. To this day I'm shattered,
however it forced me to start riding 5'10"
backup boards. I got addicted to the shorter,
slightly thicker boards, then started experimenting
with fins. Trying different fins is where I'm
at. It's all very subtle but makes such a massive
difference.
JG: Do you have any heroes?
If so, who and why?
LM: My mum's my hero.
Also, people who dedicate themselves to others
and do good things in this world without expecting
anything in return. Very humbling.
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?
LM: It's too hard
to single someone out but Steph Gilmore's been
leading the charge for a while now. Rebecca Woods
is challenging Sofia for the backhand power attack,
but I'm going to say Sally will pull something
crazy. Or Silvana...or Bartels. There are also
many girls, Lauren Sweeney, Ornella Pellizzari,
Nikita Robb who go under the radar and are totally
pushing the boundaries every day and busting maneuvers
the Top 17 would be stoked to make ...we just
don't hear about it as much. But I'm still claiming
it will be hard to top Silvana's air in Durban
this year. Anyone who saw it will back me up,
I'm sure :)
For those of you who like to
jump around instead of going one by one, here's
the complete list of surfers...
Image
Caption: I wasn't really paying attention to the
actual results of each heat during the US Open
this past summer but in my opinion, Laurina McGrath
was one of the standout surfers at the event.
She was throwing down huge hooks on the inside
shore dump at the world famous Huntington Pier.
Photo: Chris Grant / JettyGirl.com
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