| 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?
Prue Jeffries: I
couldn't mention one particular penultimate "best
thing". Every day I wake up is "the
best", until another day comes along, that
is. Just like waves. For 2009 I am going to hang
out with Chuang Tzu "Perfect happiness is
the absence of striving for happiness".
JG: Tell us about the first
time you ever stood up on a surfboard. Where was
it and what were you riding?
PJ: I remember I
couldn't to get a hold of a surfboard and try
surfing. I was maybe around 10 or 11 years old.
We used to learn on what we called "foamies"
in Australia. They were essentially Styrofoam
nubby looking things, about 5'8" (at the
longest) covered in this plastic mesh with a single
plastic fin. My brother had been riding one for
a while and I finally managed to get a turn. I
had watched the whole whitewater ordeal and didn't
want to do that, so I paddled out past the whitewater
and after a few attempts caught a real wave face
and stood up. I don't remember much, except the
initial entrancement I had with the wave face,
which had led me to go out there and catch a wave.
It wasn't so much about standing up, as much as
wanting to "feel" the face. I do remember
feeling like I had just jumped off a mountain.
It was probably only a 3 foot wave. It was Everest
nonetheless.
JG: What is your current
favorite board? In 2009 do you have any plans
to experiment with different surfboard designs,
materials or fin configurations?
PJ: My favorite board
is my Takayama 5'3" quad fish, with the Halo
fins Donald has designed. I love it. There have
been many fin designs, but those Halo’s,
well they look almost backwards, yet they have
no idea what reverse means. They fly forwards!!!
JG: Do you have any heroes?
If so, who and why?
PJ: Anyone brave
enough to know the song of their deepest heart
and follow it.
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?
PJ: Oh, I am so out
of touch. Hmm… maybe a "Superwoman".
For those of you who like to
jump around instead of going one by one, here's
the complete list of surfers...
Image
Caption: Prue Jeffries is another surfer we'd
put into the "could even ride a barn door"
category. She rips on contemporary equipment but
prefers to ride a variety of alternative designs...and
she does so at an amazingly high performance level.
Prue has shown a great deal of support to JettyGirl
and her friendship is truly appreciated. She is
a wonderful human being! Photo: Chris Grant /
JettyGirl.com
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