| 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?
Rosy Hodge: Wow,
the best thing that has happened to me in 2008???
When I look back on 2008 and the above mentioned
issues, on a whole I just feel really lucky and
happy with the opportunities that have presented
themselves this year. I can't pick out just one
moment but all in all it's been a pretty good
year. As for what I'm hopefull for...I really
just want to enjoy myself and learn as much as
I can.
JG: Tell us about the first
time you ever stood up on a surfboard. Where was
it and what were you riding?
RH: The first time
I stood up, I remember it so clearly. It was a
hot December day back home and my brother and
I were frothing out on the surfing idea and we
had just picked up a Safari Spider twin fin from
a friend and my dad pushed us into a couple foamies.
I remember the wave lifting me up and the water
passing under the board and the impulse to get
to my feet. I was only about 7.
JG: What is your current
favorite board? In 2009 do you have any plans
to experiment with different surfboard designs,
materials or fin configurations?
RH: My favorite board
right now is a 5'9" Shaun Tomson single fin
shape but with a thruster set up shaped by Spider
Murphy. It flies! I find it hard to get off the
board I want to travel with it. I also just got
a 5'2" Al Merrick Fishcuit that I like quite
a bit. It's got a quad set up and it is fun! I
love surfing different boards and feeling them
out.
JG: Do you have any heroes?
If so, who and why?
RH: One of the people
that I really have looked up to since I was little
is Wendy Botha. We're from the same small town
in South Africa, we went to the same school and
she won her first world title the year I was born.
I remember meeting her for the first time when
I was 9 and being totally stoked. I saw her on
the Goldie this year and she is epic!
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?
RH: I think it will
be some sort of air. Or a crazy barrel shot that
will run in all the mags??? Like a crazy barrel
where you are looking at the wave and then at
the person and you can't believe that there is
a person on the wave and it turns out to be.....I
don't know.
For those of you who like to
jump around instead of going one by one, here's
the complete list of surfers...
Image
Caption: South African Rosy Hodge finished up
the 2008 WCT with a solid quarterfinal finish
at the Billabong Pro Maui. Rosy pulled double
duty this season, also securing a 3rd place finish
on the WQS rankings and maintaining a coveted
spot on the 2009 WCT tour. Rosie's fans can keep
track of her travels by visiting her blog at www.rosyhodge.com
Photo: ASP Cestari © Covered Images
|
