One thing I’ve noticed about many of my favorite surfers is how they can jump on just about any type of equipment and skillfully ride waves without missing a beat. Longboard stylist, Kassia Meador, is one of those multi-faceted surfers who can surf anything from a high-performance thruster, to a retro-styled twin fin, to a traditional single fin log. I’m not sure if she still rides them, but a number of years back, Kassia began riding a thin, finless, wooden board known as an Alaia.
If you’ve ever seen someone surf an Alaia, you’ll quickly realize that it is a completely different way to ride waves. I’ve seen many people give it a go, only to return to the sand deflated that they either couldn’t catch a wave or the ones they did catch resulted in wipeout after wipeout. For those who push through the initial challenges, however, the reward is a feeling of unadulterated speed, glide, slide, and freedom. On this particular wave in Encinitas a few years back, Kassia Meador glides into a fun, lined-up, glassy left. It’s really fun to watch the nuances that come into play on finless boards—case in point, the subtle drifting Kassia employs as she heads into her 360-degree spin. Landing a floater on an Alaia is no easy task, but Kassia effortlessly pulls one off to finish her ride.
Thank you for stopping by for another installment of Single Wave Thursday. As always, thank you for your support of Jettygirl. None of this would be possible without you, our dear readers.
Surfer: Kassia Meador - @kassiameadorFilm: Chris Grant - @chrisgrantphotoSound: Audio provided by abcopen at freesound.org
Kassia Meador - Single Wave Thursday. One Ride, No Music, Just Surfing.Women's Surf Movies on Jettygirl Online Surf Magazine
One thing I've noticed about many of my favorite surfers is how they can jump on just about any type of equipment and skillfully ride waves without missing a beat. Longboard stylist, Kassia Meador, is one of those multi-faceted surfers who can surf anything from a high-performance thruster, to a retro-styled twin fin, to a traditional single fin log. I'm not sure if she still rides them, but a number of years back, Kassia began riding a thin, finless, wooden board known as an Alaia.
If you've ever seen someone surf an Alaia, you'll quickly realize that it is a completely different way to ride waves. I've seen many people give it a go, only to return to the sand deflated that they either couldn't catch a wave or the ones they did catch resulted in wipeout after wipeout. For those who push through the initial challenges, however, the reward is a feeling of unadulterated speed, glide, slide, and freedom. On this particular wave in Encinitas a few years back, Kassia Meador glides into a fun, lined-up, glassy left. It's really fun to watch the nuances that come into play on finless boards---case in point, the subtle drifting Kassia employs as she heads into her 360-degree spin. Landing a floater on an Alaia is no easy task, but Kassia effortlessly pulls one off to finish her ride.
Thank you for stopping by for another installment of Single Wave Thursday. As always, thank you for your support of Jettygirl. None of this would be possible without you, our dear readers.
Film: Chris Grant | Sound: Audio provided by abcopen at freesound.org* There's no HD on this one but to get the best quality, click the little icon to the right of the clock on the YouTube player (you must hit the play arrow first to see the icons) and select 480p.Previous Single Wave Thursdays:Amee Donohoe | Felicity Palmateer | Tammy-Lee Smith | Tia Blanco | Pauline Ado | Tory Gilkerson | Claire Bevilacqua | Kaleigh Gilchrist | Courtney Conlogue | Justine Dupont | Silvana Lima | Courtney Conlogue | Erin Ashley | Brittani Nicholl | Alexa Frantz | Lindsay Steinriede Additional Resources:Kassia Meador - officialKassia Meador on Instagram - @kassiameadorKassia Meador on TwitterWegener Surfboards Shop for your favorite brands in the Surf Store:Roxy Fit For Waves Surf Legging - full length neon print surf leggings. Hidden drawstring. Sits at hip.
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* Like, tweet, post, pin, comment or whatever. Waves are meant to be shared.
The air warms, the ocean temperatures begin to rise, and the seascapes come alive with the colors of spring. While wintertime is a wonderful season to surf, wearing thick wetsuits and booties gets a bit old after a while ...especially since they never seem to dry out completely between sessions. Enter warmth, color, and flexibility with the wetsuits featured below. If you're thinking about picking up a spring suit, wetsuit jacket, or long-john, now is the time to grab one because these designs are notoriously fast sellers. If you wait too long, they'll be gone.
If you decide to buy a wetsuit (or anything on this site), you'll also be supporting Jettygirl Online Surf Magazine and helping us continue to celebrate women's surfing through surf photos, videos, and stories. Thank you for teaming up with us.
Additional Resources:Shop Swell Shop for your favorite brands in the Surf Store:Cobian Fiesta Bounce Flip Flop - Flip flop sandal with comfortable woven strap lining. Cushioned bounce midsole.
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* Like, tweet, post, pin, comment or whatever. Waves are meant to be shared.
Pictured: Kelia Moniz (HAW), reigning ASP Women's World Longboard Champion cruising to the crown in China last year. Credit: ASP/Will H-SSwatch Girls Pro China Set To Crown ASP Women's World Longboard Champion This November
COOLANGATTA, QLD/Australia (Thursday, October 17, 2013) – The city of Wanning on the small island of Hainan, in the South China Sea will once again play host to the ASP World Longboard Championships this November. For the third consecutive year the ASP Women's World Longboard Champion will be crowned at the Swatch Girls Pro China hosted by Wanning, with this year's event running from November 20 - 24.
Wanning Mayor Zhang Mei Wen is proud to once again showcase the culture, surf and sights that his community has to offer, and is looking forward to again welcoming the world's best longboarders to his hometown for the 2013 Swatch Girls Pro China hosted by Wanning.
"The city of Wanning is really proud to again be hosting 2013 SWATCH GIRLS PRO CHINA and the Riyue Bay ASP Men’s World Longboard Championship, namely the fourth Wanning International Surfing Festival, Hainan, China," said Wanning Mayor Zhang Mei Wen. "On behalf of the Wanning People's Government and Wanning's People, I would like to thank the ASP, sponsors and media for supporting for the development of surfing industry in Wanning!"
Kelia Moniz (HAW), reigning ASP Women's World Longboard Champion stole the show at last year's Swatch Girls Pro China hosted by Wanning. The young Hawaiian surfed with style and grace, all the way to the podium where she accepted her maiden ASP World Longboard Title. She'll be the one to watch at this year's event, heading to China with a near-perfect record after claiming top spot at last year's Swatch Girls Pro China hosted by Wanning, and runner-up the year before.
"It's exciting looking back on last year's win," Moniz said. "It doesn't feel like it's been almost a year! Thinking about China again makes me real fired up to go back and do it all over again! Hopefully this year with a bit more surf. China, or Hainan to be specific is a really special place. The culture there runs so deep and is still so raw and real. It's beautiful for me to see all the people, the fishing villages, the farming, all that gives me a little taste of what Hawaii was probably like once upon a time. It makes me appreciate everything God has blessed me with. It's also great to experience all the love from every volunteer who helps out at the event site. They are the ones who make our experience unforgettable!"
Kassia Meador (USA) is world renowned for her free-surfing and style, but these skills also make her a threat in competition as she's always in the mix for the ASP Women's World Longboard Title and will once again be one of the favourites at this year's Swatch Girls Pro China hosted by Wanning.
"It's great to have a chance to surf with some of the best female longboarders in the world," Meador said. "I think one of the things I like most about going to China to surf is it's a place I never thought surfing would take me, and every time we go it's a beautiful experience. For women's longboarding the Swatch Girls Pro China is the premier global event. Swatch really goes above and beyond to take care of us, and make sure we have the best surf conditions to compete in. Not to mention it's just super fun to be there with everyone in China. I can wait for this year's event."
Chelsea Williams (AUS) has proven to be one of the form surfers over the past two year's at the Swatch Girls Pro China hosted by Wanning, winning the inaugural event in 2011 and finishing runner-up to Moniz last year. Coming close to winning the ASP World Longboard Title on multiple occasions continues to spur Williams on to keep fighting for the sport's highest honour.
"Coming so close to winning the ASP World Longboard Title so many times proves that I have what it takes to win," Williams said. "This year I will be putting 110 percent into it. I still feel like an underdog at times which I think motivates me more and throws more fuel on the fire. Swatch really looks after us at this event. It's a professional event and you are made to feel like a top rated athlete while you're there. It's a great contest and one I always look forward to going to. The set up is great and when there are waves there's no better place to be competing and spectating."
Darci Liu (CHN) is at the forefront of the growing surf culture on Hainan, taking to the water to surf or teach others as often as possible and has been awarded a wildcard into the Swatch Girls Pro China hosted by Wanning for the third straight year.
"In two years I've seen surfing grow tremendously and appreciate what the Wanning Government and Swatch are doing to promote and encourage Chinese to learn more about surfing," said Darci. "I'm really looking forward to having Swatch and the friends I've made at the event return this year to join us all in Wanning for the Swatch Girls Pro China."
SWATCH GIRLS PRO CHINA 2013 HOSTED BY WANNING
ASP WOMEN'S WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP
20-24 NOVEMBER 2013
WANNING, HAINAN ISLAND, CHINA
For more information, log on to www.aspworldtour.com
Jettygirl Time Machine - July 30, 2007 - Surf Session with Bec Woods, Kyla Langen, Kim Mayer, Kassia Meador, Rochelle Ballard, Lyndsay Noyes, Violet Kimble, Sarah Beardmore, Megan Abubo, and Claire BevilacquaDescription:
We've decided it's time to unlock the video vault and showcase some of the sessions that have gone down in front of our lenses over the years. The video size may be small and standard definition (*glorious 480p, haha) but the spirit of the sessions back then were most definitely high-def, vibrant and in full color.
If it hadn't have been for two individuals, Kyla Langen and Kassia Meador, Jettygirl would never have become a reality. At the time, Kyla was living in Carlsbad while Kassia Meador had recently moved to Oceanside. These two homes would become the focal points as some of the best female surfers in the world would stop by and visit during the summers. Each morning I'd wake up to pre-social media text messages and phone calls about how the waves were and where the session was going to happen.
It could just be the Oceanside area itself, but I see less and less of these surf sessions where groups of women get together and push the limits at one particular break. All of these surfers were complete individuals but there was enough cohesiveness as a group for people on the beach to feel the energy of women's (shortboard) surfing being pushed forward one ride at a time, even on a junky summer day like the one in this clip.
Well, enough chatter on my part. I hope you enjoy the first of many Jettygirl Time Machine surf sessions ...good rides, wipeouts, smiles, and everything else that makes an average day at the beach something special.
Film:
Chris Grant / Jettygirl.com
Music:
"Fancy Nightclub Girl" - Written and Performed by HafenSabine Additional Resources:Bec WoodsKassia MeadorClaire Bevilacqua on FacebookSurf Into Yoga with Rochelle BallardNOYES Photo (Lindsay Noyes) Go Pro Hero 3 Black Edition Surf - The world's most versatile camera is back and better than ever. Capable of capturing ultra-wide 1440p at 48 fps, 1080p at 60 fps, and 720p at 120 fps video. Also shoots 12 MP photos at an astounding rate of 30 photos per second. Perfect for surfing, bodysurfing, snorkeling, and virtually any other water activity you can think of.
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While some lucky surfers enjoy bikini conditions all year long, much of the world surfs in wetsuits throughout the year. If your local surf shop doesn't carry women's wetsuits or a large enough selection, this page is for you. Check below for wetsuits from Billabong, Rip Curl, Roxy, and Xcel. If you decide to purchase a suit, not only will you score yourself some new surf gear, you'll also be helping out Jettygirl at the same time ...and for that we thank you! If you don't need a wetsuit at the moment, check the Surf Shop for bikinis, sandals, eyewear, and much more. Billabong Wetsuits - Utilizing a fresh blend of stripes, prints, and ocean-inspired color ways, Billabong's wetsuits will keep you warm, flexible, and looking stylish in the surf.
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Rip Curl Wetsuits - With an eye on style, Rip Curl's spring suit line features contrast piping, lower back cutouts, and high-performance cross-backs.
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Roxy Wetsuits - Buoyed by Kassia Meador's wetsuit line, Roxy's color blocking gives a nod to the past while looking refreshingly modern.
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Xcel Wetsuits - Xcel's wetsuits take high-quality materials and fit to the next level with a line that continues to appeal to hardcore surfers the world over.
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SALTED, The Award-Winning All-Girls Surf Magazine Is Back
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 23, 2013 – The second issue of SURFER Magazine’s award-winning women’s surf magazine, SALTED, hits newsstands June 11. The debut issue earned a 2013 MAGGIE Award in the Best Annual & Custom Publication category and also had the highest in sell-through of any special issue produced by SURFER. Issue 2 promises nearly 100 pages of female surf content—including massive photo features, interviews with the best and most interesting surfers, adventures to far-off locales, health, fashion and more. Some of the many female surfers featured in Issue 2 include Malia Manuel, Kassia Meador, Steph Gilmore, and Lisa Andersen.
“For the second issue, we wanted to really show how broad female surfing is, so we included features that span all ages, locations, and sectors of the surf world,” says SURFER Managing Editor Janna Irons, who edited the issue. “There's a profile on one of the most progressive female surfers on the planet, Malia Manuel, as well as one on one with one of the greatest female surfers of all time, Lisa Andersen. There are trips to Iceland, China, and Mexico, and a massive photo feature of beautiful images from all over the globe. We also included a feature on the best female big-wave surfers, where they discuss the dangers and motivations for surfing massive waves. Plus, we threw in a short fashion feature, an op-ed, and a collection of smaller features on interesting characters in the surf world. There really is a ton of great content in the issue that I'm super excited about.”
"We are proud to create a special issue that really showcases the women in the sport," says Publisher Tony Perez. "The caliber of female athletes has never been this high, and their performances have never been better. And thanks to the endemic support for the girls, we are able to produce this amazing product."
SALTED’s debut issue landed on newsstands last summer to major acclaim and readers have been asking for more ever since. Female surf content has been scarce in the media in recent years leaving female surf fans hungry for this kind of female focused content.
“I don't think the demand for female content has ever decreased; in fact, there are more female surfers and female surfing fans now than ever before,” continues Irons. “For a while now, there just hasn't been a place to see all the great trips and sessions that are happening around the world. SALTED is able to provide that, and because it's made by the editors of SURFER it has the level of quality and authenticity readers have come to expect from the biggest surf magazine in the world.”
SALTED by SURFER Magazine will be on newsstands at local surf shops and bookstores beginning June 11, 2013. A digital version will also be available on the Apple Newsstand. Follow Salted on Twitter or Instagram: @SaltedMagazine
About SURFER
In 1960, SURFER Magazine began as the original. After a long history of delivering provocative and insightful editorial features, revealing interviews and award winning state-of-the-art photography, SURFER remains the authoritative voice of the surfing world and thus earned the moniker "the bible of the sport." The SURFER brand has also grown to include Surfermag.com, Fantasy Surfer, and the SURFER message boards. All of these assets combine to make the SURFER network the most current and reliable channel of information to the surf community. The magazine is published by Source Interlink's GrindMedia, which reaches more than 22-million active sports enthusiasts through an integrated network of magazines, online properties, events and television programming. To learn more, visit surfermag.comAbout GrindMedia
Source Interlink Media’s GrindMedia is home to renowned action and adventure sports magazine brands Surfer, Surfing, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Powder, Bike, Canoe & Kayak, SUP-Standup Paddler and Paved. Along with our standalone websites, including GrindTV.com, Newschoolers and Motocross.com, GrindMedia is the leading provider of print and online action sports and entertainment content in the United States. Delivering significant reach across both action sports enthusiast and various in-market consumer audiences, GrindMedia produces more than 20 leading events and webcasts such as Surfer Poll Awards, Powder Video Awards, Lowers Pro and EnduroCross. GrindMedia is also the exclusive action and adventure sports content provider for Yahoo! Sports. To learn more, visit grindmedia.com.
We know what you're thinking. Mid-May is certainly not summer ...yet a trip to the beach earlier today sure felt like summer, so much so that we've decided to kick off Jettygirl's annual summer photo feature a bit early this year. The water's warming up, the sun's out and there's no May Gray to be seen. We'll be adding regularly to this photo feature over the next four months so check back often. We hope that all of you have a wonderful summer and for those of you on the globe who are entering winter shortly, we hope these images will keep you inspired as you're pulling on your 4/3 fullsuits. Enjoy!
Alana Blanchard - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comAugust 7, 2012 - Alana Blanchard takes a moment to guide a baby opossum up to dry sand after he found himself going for an unexpected ocean swim. Kyla Langen - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comAugust 1, 2012 - Kyla Langen spends much of her time up north these days but it's always a treat when she's in town. Spirited foam blast at a spot her and her family call home. Lauren Sweeney - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJuly 16, 2012 - I met Lauren Sweeney five years ago on the morning this photo was taken. Her first ride was a backside air. This was her second wave. Five minutes into the session and she already had a fan for life. After getting to know her over the years, I've found her to be one of the most well-rounded individuals I've ever come across. Alexia Jeri - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJuly 8, 2012 - A while back I was swimming around in the channel when a ripping goofyfoot from Peru paddled out a snagged a bunch of fun lefts to herself. Alexia Jeri hooks one off the top at one of Southern California's few remaining secret spots. Haley Watson - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJuly 6, 2012 - Haley Watson is one of the few people we know who'd both surf in an event, then do the Reef bikini contest afterward. The current Miss Flagler County dons an evening gown as easily as she gets her hands dirty organizing events and raising money for the MayDay Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit she founded in loving memory of her mother, Dollie Sue Watson, that raises awareness and funds to fight heart disease in women. Coco Ho - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJuly 5, 2012 - We still think it's lame that the World Tour doesn't end in Hawaii again this year. Deciding the World Title in Huntington Beach just doesn't seem right. Nevertheless, the HB shorebreak still tests boards, bodies and commitment. Knees bent and ready to absorb the shore dump, Coco Ho stamps the end of her ride with an exclamation point. Claire Bevilacqua - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJuly 3, 2012 - This post will be short and sweet. We miss Claire and wish she was here. Today, tomorrow and always, she will be one of our all-time favorites. Lulu Erkeneff - Photo: Mark Simon / simonphotography.smugmug.comJune 30, 2012 - Day in, day out you can find Lulu Erkeneff ripping this local left. Earlier today, Lulu put in some solid rail work at one of California's most competitive surf spots. Danny Dean - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJune 25, 2012 - It's always wise to check for stingrays during the summer, but the influx in Oceanside this year is simply ridiculous. You're usually in the clear when the only parts of you in saltwater are a couple of toes. In the Summer of 2012 however, there are so many out there that it's worth it to check back and make sure they're not following you onto the sand. Danny Dean, Oceanside, California. Nikki Viesins - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJune 23, 2012 - Some of Nikki Viesins' turns were so similar to Sally Fitzgibbons that I did a few double-takes yesterday. On a messy onshore day where many of the locals left the water shaking their heads at how bad it was, Nikki shredded wave after wave to the beach. I wish she would visit North County more often. Kaleigh Gilchrist - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJune 21, 2012 - I dig watching power surfers and Kaleigh Gilchrist is no exception. This particularly windy day featured tricky, frothy rights and with textbook style, Kaleigh applied both power and finesse on wave after wave. Alexa Frantz, Kelsey Harris & Mallory Eberlin - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJune 11, 2012 - These three surfers had just finished a completely solo session and were back at the car when a complete stranger walks up and says, "My friend has this boat. Do you want to go wakeboarding with us?" After an incredibly awkward minute of silence, the guy bailed but once again I was left bewildered at the lame lines I hear on Jettygirl shoots. I'm pretty sure that bikinis are just bikinis, not invitations. Lindsay Steinriede - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJune 10, 2012 - Far from the prying eyes of a hundred media cameras, the current ASP Women's Longboard World Champion, Lindsay Steinriede, makes her way to the water's edge at a break that's always been dear to her heart. Alexa Frantz - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJune 8, 2012 - Somewhat of a secret outside of San Diego, Alexa Frantz is definitely on the short list of surfers I like to shoot with. Her choice of beach attire turns heads most everywhere she goes but it's what she does in the water that I appreciate. The powerful regularfoot has a variety of fin-throwing turns and she never plays it safe. Alexa takes the polar-opposite of "3 to the beach" approach and that's one of the reasons why we like her surfing so much. Ryoko Maruyama - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJune 6, 2012 - With a quiet gesture that would surely warm the heart of any surfboard shaper, Ryoko Maruyama, shows her board some much deserved appreciation before paddling out at a secret reef in Cardiff. Singlefin love from Japan. Danielle Wyman - Photo: Mark Simon / simonphotography.smugmug.comJune 5, 2012 - On one of those "sunny-but-still-fullsuit" weather days, 3-time ISF State Champion and Dana Hills High School star, Danielle Wyman, whips a nice turn off the top at her local spot. As a standout at one of Southern California's most competitive surf spots, watch for Danielle to continue to make waves in coming years. Bianca Valenti - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comJune 4, 2012 - Far from her homebreak in Marin County, current women's Pipeline champ, Bianca Valenti, was in town for the Bud Light Lime Surf Series event in Oceanside held over the weekend. The waves weren't great but I'm sure it was refreshing for Bianca to ditch her fullsuit and booties for a couple of days in a spring suit. Kassia Meador - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comMay 26, 2012 - A few summers back I had the chance to work with Kassia for a three-day stretch while she was working on some of her early wetsuit designs. A few things stick out in my mind from the sessions ...on the negative side, no sun and a fried wide angle lens; on the bright side, it was the first time I was able to meet the amazing Sofia Mulanovich and of course the extended opportunity to watch Kassia rip on everything from her prized alaia to a pristine singlefin noserider. Taylor Pitz - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comMay 24, 2012 - After being chased from a secret spot last summer, we had to walk for an hour over sharp, rocky terrain. Judging by Taylor's virtual jog over sharp rocks, she'd have no problem walking over hot coals. She probably grew weary of hearing me say, "Ooh, ouch!" a thousand times during the journey. On the way back Taylor discovered a natural pool and took a moment to cool her feet. Shea Hodges - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comMay 23, 2012 - Late afternoon slice by Shea Hodges. The water in San Diego is beginning to warm which suits this Hawaiian goofyfoot fine. While others are breaking out their bikinis, Shea's happily transitioning to a 3/2mm full. Warm and shredding in the sun's last light, Cardiff, California. Kulia Doherty - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comMay 21, 2012 - It may not look like it but on this summer day the water was freezing. If I recall, Kulia's dad Mike (may he rest in peace) said he'd give her $10 if she braved the sub-60 degree cold for a couple of waves. I wasn't on the beach to see her collect her payday but she earned every cent on the couple of rights she ripped to the beach. Chloe Buckley - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comMay 17, 2012 - A painful example of May and June in California ...cloudy over here, sunny over there. Chloe Buckley eyes a section down the line on one of those overcast-but-warm mornings. Claire Bevilacqua - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comMay 16, 2012 - With south swell lines pushing into the jetty a few seasons back, our good friend Claire Bevilacqua makes her way to the jump-off spot. Hayley Conant - Photo: Chris Grant / Jettygirl.comMay 15, 2012 - This photo was taken in 2008 but we wanted to post it in honor of Hayley Conant, who as of a few hours ago gave birth to her first child. While Hayley might not be surfing anytime soon, her summer will no doubt be an amazing one. Congratulations Hayley!