| 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?
Shannon Switzer:
I have to say the best thing that happened to
me was witnessing the peaceful change of power
that accompanied the elections this year. Whether
one voted for Obama or not, I think we can all
agree it was a historical and momentous election
that broke barriers. After living through Kenya's
elections and watching the country being torn-apart
by violence and death due to a similarly pivotal
change in power, it struck me just how much I
took for granted that our political process -although
flawed- is generally peaceful and not followed
by death and destruction. I previously just assumed
that's how it was but now realize I am truly lucky
to live in this country, and I am thankful to
our founding fathers for crafting such an ingenious
political system.
JG: Tell us about the first
time you ever stood up on a surfboard. Where was
it and what were you riding?
SS: I was at Grandview
in Encinitas on a yellow waterlogged 6'4"
Donald Takayama that my dad rode back in the day.
I was by myself with a big grin.
JG: What is your current
favorite board? In 2009 do you have any plans
to experiment with different surfboard designs,
materials or fin configurations?
SS: My shaper, Sean
Reilly, just made me a sick 6' 3" Bonzer...I'd
never ridden one until now, and I'm in love! I
hope to surf it on a variety of waves and try
to get it more dialed in.
JG: Do you have any heroes?
If so, who and why?
SS: C.S. Lewis, because
he has a brilliant intellect AND incredible passion
for knowing God. Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim, because
she has been brave enough to risk death and take
a stance against the Islamic Fundamentalists in
her native country of Sudan, who are responsible
for the horrible genocide going on in Darfur.
And, my parents of course!
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?
SS: I think its gonna
be a rodeo backflip Jordy-Smith-style, and I'm
banking on local ripper Lauren Sweeney pulling
it off.
For those of you who like to
jump around instead of going one by one, here's
the complete list of surfers...
Image
Caption: Picture someone swimming with sharks,
climbing trees with chimpanzees, driving down
war-ravaged streets in a faraway land...what image
comes to mind? Meet Shannon Switzer, San Diego
surfer-girl-turned-worldwide-adventurer. Shannon's
one of the most inspirational people I know...someone
that dreams big dreams and turns them into larger
realities...and she has a heart of pure gold too.
Photo: Chris Grant / JettyGirl.com
|
