by Sasha La Rochelle

Holly and I have been on the Op team together for a while now, but our paths didnt cross in person until this July where we met face to face at the Action Girl Expo in Long Beach. We had emailed back and forth before then, but it was nice to have an uninterupted conversation. One of the things we talked about was working on an interview that would have a slightly different and more personal focus than some of the interviews she has done in the past.

As we talked more, I told her I was there to help teach the skate clinics. She got this funny look in her eye and then I knew what she was thinking. Holly is already a good skater but was looking to up her skills. So she signed up to particpate the next day.

As Friday morning rolled around Holly showed up, padded up, and set out with the crew. In all honesty I really didnt have to show her much because she is so motivated and athletic, that she just learns by watching and practicing. In fact, Holly did so well, that she not only entered the skate contest that day but placed well also!

Media persons caught wind of Holly being there skating and whisked her off for interviews throughout the day. Each time she turned the focus from herself to promoting females in surfing. In between then and now Holly has been busy with the surf contest circuit and her work with the IWS but I managed to meet with her for a few to ask her some questions about her surfing and life in general....

Sasha) Can you please share about your beginnings in surfing... Holly) I started sufing when I was on a family vacation in Hawaii. I borrowed a board and was hooked from my first time out. I joined the Surf Club at my school and went on from there.

Sasha) Where are your roots? Holly) Palos Verdes, CA

Sasha) Is there anything special that you do to prepare for a competition? Holly) I just try to drink a lot of water and eat plenty of fruits and fresh vegetables. The night before a contest I go to bed early and listen to music before my heats to block out any distractions.

Sasha) Is there anyone you admire, or that inspires you ? Holly) I try and take little things from everyone I meet-either a philosophy, a style of surfing or whatever. I dont have one particular inspiration, I try to learn from everyone.

Sasha) When was your first competition? Holly) My first contest was when I was a sophmore in high school for our school team.

Sasha) How did your first sponsorship come about? Who do you ride for now? Holly) My friends heard that Rusty was looking for girls to sponsor so we put together a little book of photos and contest results. Rusty called and said they werent interested but they'd give us a few t-shirts and stickers for the effort. I ended up going down to the office to pick up the stuff and they had me try on some bikinis while I was there. They ended up inviting me to go on a photo shoot as a model. While I was down there I went surfing with some of the guys from the company and they sponsored me. Now Im sponsored by OP clothing, Rusty surfboards, Reef shoes, Freestyle watches, Body Glove wetsuits, OAM accessories, Sector 9 skateboards, and Mod Surf jewelry.

Sasha) Do you have any free time? If yes, what do you enjoy doing in that time? Holly) Free time? What's that? No actually, I read and write a lot, check emails, and hang out at the beach with my friends.

Sasha) If you could go anywhere in the world to surf, where would it be and why? Holly) The Mentawais (a chain of islands in Indonesia). Ive been there twice and surfed the best waves of my life. So fun!

Sasha) I know you skate also. Are there any other sports you enjoy? Holly) I like to snowboard but dont make it up to the mountains as often as Id like to. Its hard to leave the beach sometimes.

Sasha) Of the places you've already traveled to, is there one place in particular that was special or that really stands out to you? Holly) The Mentawais of course, but I also went on a boat trip to the Andaman islands (off of India). It was an incredible experience because it was so remote and beautiful. We didnt see another boat or person (other than a few locals in canoes) the whole time.

Sasha)How do you celebrate a victory or a great run? Do you do anything special? Holly) Not really. Im just stoked.

Sasha) Are you involved with music in any way? Is there a type of music you enjoy the most? Holly) I used to take piano lessons but I didnt like practicing. My ex-boyfriend tried to teach me how to play the guitar, but I couldnt pull it off. I like all kinds of music but mostly groovy, jazzy music with a good beat. Something good to chill out to. My favorites are the Dave Matthews band, Incubus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, and the Grateful Dead.

Sasha) What's the worst injury you've had to date? Holly) Ive never really been injured-just some reef cuts and bruises. Sasha) Besides being a pro athlete do you have any other type of job? Holly) Only some modeling and spokes-person type things.

Sasha) You've done some amazing things--Does any one event in particular stand out to you? Holly) Towing into huge waves in Tahiti was really amazing. In 10 minutes I got the biggest wave, biggest barrell, and biggest wipeout of my life. Incredible!

Sasha)Do you have a daily routine? Holly) Typical day: wake up, make coffee, walk to the beach, hang out with my friends, surf, get some business done, check my email, go for a run, try to surf again, go to bed early.

Sasha) Do you have a greatest accomplishment you would like to share? Holly) Graduating college in 3 years with a degree in Psychology.

Sasha) Do you have a favorite type of food? Holly) Mexican food smothered in guacamole and sushi....

Sasha) Favorite colors? Holly) Blue and brown.

Sasha) You are one of the most focused and motivated athletes that I have met. Have you always been a very focused person? Holly) Ive always been very focused. My dad taught me to go after what I wanted, and you have to be focused to get it.

Sasha) What are your "dream" surf conditions? Holly) Overhead glassy barrells at my home break with all my friends in the water.

Sasha) Do you have a favorite board that you ride? How often do you break a board? Do you ride longboards at all? Holly) My favorite board changes based on the conditions. I break boards all too often. Several a year in fact. I do ride longboards when the waves are small. You have to use the right board for the conditions.

Sasha) Can you tell me about what the IWS is and how you came about to not only be involved but to lead the organization. Holly) The IWS (International Women Surfing Organization) started as a union of pro surfers trying to get more equality for womens surfing (more prize money, better events, etc.). When I graduated college, I got involved and turned it into a membership based organization to get younger girls stoked on the sport. At that point the other girls who had been in charge were tired of all the work, and turned it over to me. It is really time consuming but very rewarding.