Five Minutes with Courtney Conlogue - Photos: Chris Grant/JettyGirl.com

Courtney Conlogue has been on the surfing world's radar for quite some time now. In the Hawaiian winter of 2006, she made a significant impression in the minds of the WCT pros when as a fourteen-year-old, she made massive drops and scored big in macking Honolua Bay. Since then, Courtney has continued to improve with both her free surfing and contest results. About a month ago Courtney Conlogue came away victorious at NSSA Open Season Nationals, a title she's wanted to attain for the last few years. I've only had the privilege of shooting with Courtney on two or three occasions, but after each session, I came away impressed with how mature her surfing style is. Courtney really lays into her turns and I'm looking forward to seeing her powerful approach on the WCT in the not-so-distant future. --Chris Grant

JettyGirl: Congratulations on winning NSSA Nationals last month. You mentioned that it was the fulfillment of one of the goals you’ve had since gromhood. Do you have any other specific goals you'd like to achieve in your amateur career before you turn pro?
Courtney Conlogue: Enjoy and learn how to win every contest. I’d like to do well in the Billabong Jr Pro in Australia and the ISA Jr Worlds in Ecuador.

JG: If you were able surf with five female surfers from any era in a fun, uncrowded, Santa Ana wind day at the HB Pier, who would they be and why?
CC: Lisa Andersen because she has inspired me since I was able to stand on a board. Steph (Gilmore), Sally (Fitzgibbons), Coco (Ho), and Malia (Manuel) because they make being in the water fun and push me to perform at my best.

JG: A few years back you made quite a splash in the WCT event at beefy Honolua Bay. Do you enjoy riding big Hawaiian surf or is it just part of the job? Coming from the small beach breaks of Orange County, how do you prepare to deal with all that North Shore power?
CC: I have always loved big waves because I really get to feel the power of the ocean. I cross train a lot. I have to be strong and mentally prepared for the ocean's power and whatever I’m dealt at any time.

JG: It's unfortunate but even in 2008, it seems that there are different requirements for success in the surf world based on your gender. An ugly dude that rips still has a chance to be featured in ads but the surf industry in general shuns many of their own female team riders in favor of putting models in their ads. Do you think that's an accurate portrayal of the current state of surf advertisements? What are your feelings about this? Should it be just as important to be pretty as it is to rip the top off a wave?
CC: I don’t want to be negative about the surfing industry. I wish that the general media, such as TV and newspapers, gave surfing more coverage just like football, baseball, basketball, and soccer. Maybe then, even athletic female surfers would get more coverage.

JG: Some favorites....favorite foods?
CC: Italian, sushi,
JG: Favorite flavor of ice cream?
CC: Kona coffee
JG: Favorite book?
CC: Fearlessness: The Story of Lisa Anderson
JG: Favorite movies?
CC: Rush Hour 3, Surf’s Up
JG: Favorite TV shows?
CC: Hero’s, Prison Break
JG: Favorite band?
CC: One Republic
JG: Favorite video game?
CC: Kelly Slater professional surfer
JG: Favorite waves?
CC: The Santa Ana riverbed (Just kidding). I enjoy surfing Trestles and Barra.
JG: Favorite surfers?
CC: Lisa Andersen, Kelly Slater, and Pat O

JG: Outside of surfing, what are three things you'd like to see, experience or accomplish during your lifetime?
CC: I want to see and experience as many countries as possible, continue with school and complete a college degree, go to outer space. I know this is more than 3 but I would really like to see our world healthy.

JG: Finally, if you had a time machine and could take your board with you on the journey, what time and place in history would you travel to and why?
CC: A time when life was slower and there was less technology except for the time machine of course. I would still want the best surfing equipment around. I’d go to Indonesia when no one was out because I want to be able to enjoy some incredible waves without a crowd. I want to relax and pick and choose the best waves with no hassling around me.

Courtney Conlogue is sponsored by Billabong, Reef Shoes, GO211.com, Toyota of Huntington Beach, Smith Eyewear, Huntington Surf and Sport, FCS, Dakine, Nixon, SexWax, Zola, Nalu's Island Grill.