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?
Shannon Switzer:
With my half I would invest in some stocks,
new photo equipment (an underwater housing in
particular), a home for my mom and dad to retire
in, oh yeah and get LASIK surgery so I could
open my eyes under water when I duck dive ...I've
always wanted to do that.
With
the half for the world I would start a non-profit
that helps develop and implement win-win situations
for issues of human-wildlife conflict. For example,
in rural parts of Africa where elephants are
known to trample crops, my non-profit would
develop a solution in which the elephants don't
get killed and the locals don't lose their livelihoods.
Even better, they actually earn income from
the elephants presence. This way I can combat
poverty AND conserve the natural world.
JG: Describe the best surfboard
you've ever ridden and why it was special to
you.
Shannon: My first
proper 5'10" fish shaped by Sean Reilly
has been pretty special to me. I take that thing
everywhere, it's like a third arm. I ride it
in wind chop and big swells. Just love it.
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?
Shannon: Jesus
hands down. I mean that would be pretty incredible,
I could watch the whole story unfold before
my very eyes.
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?
Shannon: Poisonwood
Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. When the
Night Feels My Song by Bedouin Soundclash.
Riding Giants. Brownies with chocolate
and peanut butter chunks ...mmmm.
JG: What is your best surf-related
memory of 2009?
Shannon: A shoulder
high sunset session at Rincon with only 5 people
out. Previous times I'd been there I was lucky
to catch three good waves ...this was a short
session, but the whole time I was beside myself
with glee catching wave after wave.
