|
Shakira Westdorp - Big Wave Surfer
Shakira is a professional LifeGuard on the Gold Coast - Queensland, Australia. She won the
Australian surf life saving Title in 2002, but gave it away to surf. And every day you
could find her catching waves, from the time school let out, until the sun went down.
She won the Quiksilver Paddleboard Race in Queensland - May 2006, took 3rd in the Hennessey's International Paddleboard Race in Queensland -Oct. 2006, won the 2007 Honolua Paddleboard Race (8k) with a personal best time of 58 minutes -June 2007, came in 8th overall (out of 190 men and women) and 1st for the women at the 2007 Hennessey's International Paddleboard Race in Hawaii -July 2007 and...
On July 29, 2007.....SHE WON THE RACE OF ALL RACES: The 2007 QUIKSILVER EDITION MOLOKAI TO OAHU PADDLEBOARD RACE IN HAWAII.
 -Celebrating its 11th anniversary, the Quiksilveredition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race is considered to be the world championship of long-distance, open-ocean paddling. Spanning the 32 MILES of deep, treacherous open ocean between the islands of Molokai and Oahu, this race is the ultimate test of physical fitness, strength and endurance.
*StuntGirl had the chance to catch up with Shakira:
SG: "Hey Shakira, thanks for meeting up with us. We'd love to learn a little
more about you, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your sport? "
SHAKIRA: "Well, I love surfing more than anything. I made the Queensland Team this year and I do
the occasional odd contest, but my main focus is big wave surfing. I've also started tow-in surfing and
foil boarding. I absolutely love it."
SG: "I bet there are a lot of people out there who have never heard of Foil
Boarding, can you explain it?"
SHAKIRA: "Foil boarding is amazing. It's like flying. You ride above the water on a hydrofoil....it's
the best feeling! It's hard to start, but once you get the hang of it and start riding the swells on the
foil, you won't turn back. It's like nothing I have ever felt before."
SG: "Wow, you do so many amazing things in the water, what has inspired you?"
SHAKIRA: "My dad was a surfer and got me into the surf when I was young...like just after I was born...so
I guess he started my love for it. Then I looked up to people like Karla Gilbert (an Australian Ironwoman
champion), Layne Beachley and Luke Egan. Now guys like Laird Hamilton have it all...they are watermen. I
hope I can be respected as a waterwoman."
SG: "Biggest wave you've surfed?"
SHAKIRA: "15 foot at Waimea (paddle-in). On the Gold Coast we don't really get massive waves, so I'm
hoping this winter in Hawaii I can get involved with a tow team so I can get some bigger ones and
hopefully push some boundaries."
SG: "Do you have a favorite surf trip or memorable moment you'd like to share?"
SHAKIRA: "I've caught a few solid ones at WAIMEA and SUNSET in Hawaii. I'm
looking forward to this year's Molokai Crossing Paddleboard Race
over there this July."
SG: "So run us through a typical week of your training."
SHAKIRA: "Most things I do revolve around the ocean. I try to paddle 3 times a week, swim 1-2 times a week
and run 2 times a week as well. Other than that, I'm surfing on some sort of craft, and if it's pumping....I'm
surfing. I also stand-up paddle, dive, play golf really bad and really just give everything a go."
SG: "We hear you had a chance to put your skills to work on your very first film. How was
that for you?"
SHAKIRA: "Yeah, I really enjoyed the new experience working (as a stunt double) on "Where The Wild Things
Are". The best part was riding the waves in the boat on our first day of shooting. I would definately be keen
to do more stunt work if the opportunity arises."
SG: "Any current goals?"
SHAKIRA: "I guess one would be to ride the biggest wave ever ridden by a female and hopefully stick it to
a few blokes as well."
SG: "We will definately be keeping our eyes out for that, Shakira, and thanks so
much for taking the time to talk with us today."
SHAKIRA: "No worries, anytime...thanks for the interview! Hope to see everyone out in the ocean."
Shakira postrace, with fellow Infront crew...Mick Dibetta, Sean Campbell, Nick Carrol, Ludovic Dulou, Simon & Hawaii's Buddy Sheppard.
photo credit: InFront Surfcraft
|
|
