Interview - Olivia Jones

INTERVIEW

How does it feel being the lone SAfr on this year's WCT?

I feel really happy to have re qualified for the WCT, it was really hard work and it paid off so I am really stoked, even more so because I get to go back to surf my favourite spots in Fiji and Tahiti.

Do you think it is going to be more of a challenge for you without Greg and Paul?

I'm going to miss not seeing Greg and Paul at the WCT events because they always encouraged me. I don't think it will be any more of a challenge without them but I'm gonna try my hardest to stay on the WCT and re qualify for 2004 so that's my own personal challenge.

2002 WCT surfers Greg Emslie and Paul Canning as well as WQS surfer Travis Logie came within striking distance of qualifying; in your opinion why did none of the guys make it this year?

I don't think that they did anything wrong it is just that the standard of surfing internationally is so high. In some contests they did very well but the other guys did a bit better. Sometimes it is luck of the draw if you get the waves on the day. I am pretty sure that they will get back on it soon.

Who out of our local girls would you cite as being the next to join you on the WCT and why?

I would say Sarah Johnston because she is always working hard and finding ways to come up with cash to compete on the WQS the same way that I did when I started out. If she keeps it up she could be the next to crack it because her heart is there. You also hear about girls like Tammy Lee Smith talking about her future but she has to finish school first, she could be a good one because she is not out there trying to look for a boyfriend she is out to rip. I hope I haven't left anyone out because I don't surf that much locally any more.

What are the downsides of travelling?

Saying goodbye to family and friends. Waiting in airports like the once I had to sit for 15 hours in Singapore airport. Lugging a quiver of 7 boards, a backpack and luggage all alone. Organising visas. Another horrible thing that happened was having everything except my credit card and camera scaled in NZ.

What are the benefits of touring?

Cool parties, boat trips, hanging with my overseas buddies, surfing some of the best waves in the world with the women's stand alone events.

Is Wendy Botha still a role model for you?

Yes she is, ever since I started surfing I wanted to surf as well as her and travel like she did and even today even though she is not doing the tour I still look up to her for what she did in her surfing and say if Wendy can do it then so can I.

What are your long term goals?

I came close the year before last to getting a world title so I would really like to give it a go this year. Long term I want to stay on the tour for as long as possible because I enjoy it so much. After surfing mmmmh that's another thing I am not too sure, what I would like to do and what I may end up doing could be totally different ‘cos I change my mind so often but I have thought about owning a coffee or surf shop.

Any thank you's?

My mom and dad have supported me 110% ever since I started surfing and so do my sister Brenda and her husband Trevor. My two young nieces Nicole and Kirsten are my biggest fans if they could come to the events with me they would, although the closest they come to it is riding on the trolley at the airport and helping me get my bags off the belts. They are keen and one day will be surfing too so babies look out there are two more out there! My mom also often gives me tips and says to me at contests “bend you legs and you won't fall off”.

Also Red Bull has been like a Guardian angel as my main sponsor from the start that helped me out financially to get going on the tour to a small event in Portugal and still support me today as my main sponsor along with Island Style, Safari and AIG. I have to thank them all.

Any tips to aspiring pro's out there?

You have to persevere that's all you can't just give up even if you are having a bad run you must keep going because good will come out of it eventually.