What did you really wish for this Christmas? A good Christmas surf and lots of chocolate! Where was the last place you surfed? Croyde this morning. Best surfer of 2006? Miss Maison — she ripping. What's your best tip for keeping fit this winter? Swimming and lots of it, its really helped me and I don't think it is too boring. Who's cool in your opinion? That's a hard one but its gonna have to be.........Joel Gray. He took a group of teenagers to Hawaii, that's brave nd we had lots of fun so that's cool too! Are you going on a winter trip if so where? Umm yeh, to Morocco with the British team and then France with Surf Solutions. Name your top four must have items to take on a trip? Surfboard, bikini, iPod, and a alarm clock for those good dawnies What was the last thing you bought? A really nice pair of heels from Primark...four quid , a good buy I think! What's the best thing that happened to you in 2006? Going to Hawaii and then winning the English....it was wicked! And your New Years resolution is...get fitter and appreciate my life more.
interview: kathleen spears
Croyde's Kathleen Spears is English National Champ, second in the U16 BPSA division, one of the seven heading to Hawaii to train with Joel Grey, and now she's part of the Headworx English Surf Team going to the European Championships in Spain in November. Busy girl!
Have you surfed in Spain before?
I've been once I think, when I was really young, I cant say that i actually remember it though! But I have heard good things from so many people that I am really looking forward to it!
Are you excited about surfing there?
Yeah definitely, I have heard and seen some photos of it, and it gets pretty solid at this time of year, so hopefully there is going to be some good sized stuff!
Are there any girls you'll be watching out for in particular?
Umm, well Pauline Ado and Lee-Ann Curren obviously rip. I competed against Pauline this summer and she surfs so well, that pushes me so it will be good to see her again!
What about the bodyboarding? Why are you doing that?! Do you bodyboard much or is this just to gain as many points for the team as possible?
(Laughs) Well, I have never actually bodyboarded before! Yes, they asked me to do it for the points but I am not allowed to enter more than one category so our travelling reserve Karma Worthington is doing it for me!
You'll be missing the last BPSA contest, were you planning on surfing it? You're second in the Under 16s at the moment so do you think the Euros will be worth missing it for?
Yeah, missing the last BPSA event is not so good, but I would definitely rather go to Spain. This year was only my first year on tour and was only ever meant to get me used to the contest scene and to get to know everyone. Coming second so far has been great, but there's always next year!
I would also like to say a big thanks to my sponsors, Rip Curl, Fluid Juice, Lokbox and especially The Thatch Inn in Croyde for helping me with the funds to get to Spain!
