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FINDING
LISA ANDERSEN
By
Mike Fish
It
was less than one week before this issue was set to go to
press. And I still didn't have my interview with Lisa Andersen.
We
had spoken several times over the course of a couple weeks,
but the actual story remained in hiding. She was always
friendly and genuine--even enthusiastic about being a part
of the piece--while remaining hesitant to the questions
at hand. I tried to be patient. I tried to put myself in
her position, which was no doubt a complex one for a number
of reasons. I tried to relax.
But
when she stopped returning my calls and e-mails--at a point
when I was wedged in deadline's chokehold without an attractive
backup escape--I couldn't help feeling a bit frustrated
with the whole deal. I'd interviewed numerous high-profile
figures in the waveriding community throughout my years
working at Eastern Surf. And I'd always tried to
approach them as people--like you or me--not as the glossy,
otherworldly specters they are sometimes made out to be
in magazines and videos. Why would things be any different
with Lisa? But her phone kept going straight to voicemail
and my inbox remained void of her replies.
Why,
you ask, did I need to talk to LA--the four-time ASP World
Champ from Ormond Beach, FL? Well, in numerical order: 1)
we planned on solid editorial for our wahine issue--and
an interview with one of the top female surfers in the world
and an undeniable figurehead of East Coast surfing was one
ideal fit, 2) it had been a while since we'd last spoken
with her and she had a lot of new things happening in her
life--like a new corporate job with Roxy based in California,
and 3) she is, evasion noted, a pretty mysterious and intriguing
persona--the unassuming type of subject that engaging journalism
is often gleaned from.
But
regardless of all the promise the piece offered, I eventually
hit the wall. I walked into ESM Editor Matt Pruett's
office and basically folded my cards, said that we probably
needed to come up with something last minute to fill the
space and ranted, semi-incoherently, on topics of professional
courtesy and celebrity overindulgence. When the dust settled,
I trudged back to my desk and sat down. Then something caught
my eye. Blinking red e-mail. From: Lisa Andersen, Re: Q&A.
Typical of life, eh? Just when you think you've given up
a particular game, you find another reason to keep on playing.
Sorting
through the transcription of the interview, which covered
a range of material from her career to her family to her
surfing, it occurred to me that it has to be tough being
in the spotlight all the time. That it must make a person
protective of their privacy, something most people take
for granted. And that sometimes it might take a little longer
to complete certain tasks in life that were easier when
no one knew your name.
ESM:
Tell us about your new position with Roxy.
LA:
I'm the Global Brand Ambassador. What that means is I'll
be consulting and managing photo shoots and events such
as the Roxy Pro Fiji and Roxy Pro Hawaii as well as boat
trips and campaigns. I'll also serve as a liaison between
surfers and web casters, onsite at events. I'm looking forward
to developing the team, product, events and brand direction.
And I'm also excited about serving as a spokesperson for
Quiksilver Foundation and Roxy-supported causes, such as
Keep A Breast and the Joyful Heart Foundation.
ESM:
At 36 years old, what was it that attracted you towards
the business side of things?
LA:
I've been with the company for so long and it's given me
the opportunity to see so many facets of how the industry
works. I loved competing, but I was drawn to my new role
because of the challenge. And it seemed like a logical next
step in my career, as I was ready to say goodbye to competition,
but not to surfing. This offered a great way to stay involved
in the sport, help it progress, travel with my friends--and
still be able to enjoy the circuit, the surfing, the lifestyle.
I don't plan on competing in the near future, although I
will leave the door open to any special events such as the
X-Games--ones that raise awareness for the sport.
ESM:
How would you describe Roxy's role as a representative for
the female surfer?
LA:
Overall we're a family and we jump over the hurdles as we
go. Both Roxy and Quik are the leaders in sponsoring pro
events. We created the first stand-alone event for the Women's
WCT, the Roxy Pro Fiji, and we feel a responsibility to
keep setting a good example for other companies to follow,
and to show our support by giving back to the sport.
ESM:
Seeing that SG Magazine just folded, do you feel
a personal obligation to bring more attention to female
surfers again--after the Blue Crush rush ended?
LA:
All along I've tried to bring more attention to female riders
and their solid contribution to the sport. By relocating
to California for this job, I've been allowed to attend
more amateur events, surf the local spots and interact with
female surfers one on one about how we influence the youth
to train and work hard.
ESM:
What are you most excited about regarding your new gig?
LA:
One of my main goals as a member of the Roxy marketing team
is to continue to help the sport advance, and to watch the
women succeed and go places women have never gone before.
I want to see the women garner the same respect and attention
as the men because the girls today are chargers. They have
no problem towing in, surfing 'Chopes, you name it.
LA:
Yes! This is my first project with Nick and I've had to
really open up and share the gritty details of my life with
him. I've known (his brother) Tom forever, so it feels like
I've known Nick forever, as well. You have to be comfortable
with the person who's writing your biography. I chose to
work with him because Nick understands surfing, its roots.
Not to mention, he's an amazing storyteller. He's extremely
animated and I know he'll be able to convey the emotion
properly. Plus, a lot of surfers can relate to Nick because
they've read his work in Surfing Magazine. And from
what he tells me he's having a lot of fun with the project.
Chronicle is set to publish it, but there's no title yet.
It's a work in progress.
ESM: You also have a new surf camp, Camp Lisa. Is it modeled after the successful Camp Hobgood, which aims to cultivate and train top NSSA prospects? Or is it more of a surf clinic for all levels? LA:
It's quite similar to Camp Hobgood, but it's created specifically
for girls who are competing on the amateur circuit. The
talent is amazing all over the world, and I really wanted
to help the girls prepare for the years ahead on the pro
tour. It will be a great place to teach them strategy, how
to deal with being away from home and the pressure of traveling
alone for the first time, plus how to deal with competing
against your best friends. Everyone thrives when they are
given encouragement. These girls need to be educated in
and out of the water.
ESM:
We know you're a very dedicated parent. How does all
the career stuff and celebrity status balance out with being
a full-time Mom?
LA:
My kids are the greatest, I'm really lucky. Sure, it's hard
at times to travel and leave them behind, but I have an
amazing support network and they often go with me. I know
that our travels have made them more well-rounded and cultured.
They can adapt to any environment--they're outgoing, social,
open minded and I know that traveling has helped make them
who they are. Of course, I enjoy the occasional trip without
them, but I appreciate them that much more when I come home.
Every day they remind me of who I am.
ESM:
So are your kids surfers?
LA:
Erica, my twelve year old is a recreational surfer from
time to time. I recently asked her why she joined the surf
club at the Huntington Beach Junior High she attends. Her
answer was "to be like my mom." She's like me in that she
goes after, and gets, what she wants. And as long as she
gives it 100-percent, I'm proud of her. Mason, my four-year-old
son, has set his sights on being a Power Ranger [laughs].
I really hope that someday he will paddle out with me or
snowboard, but as long as we have quality time together
and he's active, I will support him.
ESM:
Many of the younger pros on tour could be called beneficiaries
of Kelly Slater. Can you trace the lineage of some of the
younger girls back to yourself?
LA:
Of course I've influenced Sofia (Mulanovich). I first met
here when she was 14 years old in Huntington Beach. Her
mom came over and asked me for an autograph because she
was too nervous to ask herself. She's an amazing athlete
with the soul of an angel and I'm proud to see what she's
accomplished in a relatively short period of time. Chelsea
(Georgeson) is also amazing. I met her when she was 13.
I was staying with Bruce Raymond in Australia, and his sons
went to high school with her. I gave her boardies and wetsuits
since she was wearing guys' gear at the time. I told our
team manager in Oz to take a look at her and sponsor her.
She was ripping, she was cute, a full grom and she needed
something. Now she is giving Sofia a run for her money and
really proving herself on the tour.
ESM:
What would you say about the overall state of women's
surfing on the 2005 WCT? And do you have any advice for
the rising wahine talent on the East Coast?
LA:
The talent on the tour is getting better and better and
the girls are surfing in quality waves around the world.
All that is pushing their level. That was especially the
case at the Roxy Pro Fiji this year. The conditions were
massive and ten years ago they wouldn't have held the event
because it was too big. Now, people realize that the girls
are able to surf bigger waves, which can only elevate surfing
for women as a whole. The girls have to really want it,
and that will bring a new interest in the sport. So here's
your chance to prove yourself, girls. Now go do it.
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Interview
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