JettyGirl: A one million
dollar check arrives in your mailbox with a
note that reads, "Half of this amount is
yours and the other half is to benefit the world
around you." How would you spend the money?
Betty Steele: I
would put my half into a savings account except
for traveling money to help with my research.
The other half that is for benefiting the world
I would do research regarding the most beneficial
way to assist people in need. One of my real
desires is to bring fresh drinking water to
a village or town that doesn't have the financial
resources for a very basic need. Since
the ocean is a vital component of a healthy
planet, I would like to direct some money to a
worthy organization that has done the research in
healing the ocean. The remaining part
would go to an organization that lends money
to women in third world countries and helps
them achieve financial independence.
JG: Describe the best surfboard
you've ever ridden and why it was special to
you.
BS: My favorite
board is always the one I am riding at
the moment. I fall in love with all
my surfboards. The surfboard I am
riding now is Al Merrick 6'6", Flyer II,
Tuflite, with H2 fins system. My philosophy
on surfboards is if you are thinking about the
board instead of the wave, it's not a good board.
Surfing is about reacting; if you are wondering
what your board is going to do it is too late.
I also like a board that I can duck dive easily.
This board is light, durable, easy for traveling
and I have had it for five years. Of course
that is not my husband’s philosophy because
he is always trying to get me to experiment
and constantly buying me boards.
JG: If you could travel
back to any time in history and hang with one
person while they go about their daily activities,
who would it be and why?
BS: The person
I would like to hang out with would be Paramahansa
Yogananda, who was a yogi from India. I find
it interesting he built a temple on the bluff
right above our best surf spot Swami’s.
His doctrine of respecting all religions
coincides with my own beliefs.
JG: For thirty days you're
stuck on a desert island with one book, one
song, one surf movie and one snack food. Which
ones would you choose?
BS: Ed Begley,
Jr.'s new book Guide to Sustainable Living.
Any of Willie and Lobo's songs. Sipping
Jetstreams by Taylor Steele. Nuts.
JG: What is your best surf-related
memory of 2009?
BS: My best surf-related
memory of 2009 is the trip we took with with
my son and his family to Kandui Resort in Mentawai,
Indonesia. On that trip I got the biggest
and best wave of my life,
