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WOMEN WHO CHARGE: SAVANNAH SHAUGHNESSY
20-year-old nabs a few bombs at Maverick's
Who says big waves are just for macho men? Following in the footsteps of female adventure surfers like Maya Gabeira, Jamilah Star and Jenny Useldinger, 20-year-old Savannah Shaughnessy has been putting in some serious face time at Mavericks this winter. Hailing from Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz mountains), the 20-year old UCSC student's dedication is starting to pay dividends and her XXL wave count reflects that. Surfline checked in with Savannah after her session last Friday. -- Ed
WHAT MADE YOU SURF MAVERICKS THAT DAY?
I haven't had much time you go up there this year because of school and my hard classes. I wanted to surf it no matter how small, so long as it was breaking.
WHAT WAS THE CROWD LIKE?
That was the best crowd. When I paddled out there was just one other person out, Jason (Miller). Later it got crowded, but I've never had that happen -- with so few people out and really good conditions. It was so much fun.
YOU WERE SITTING ON THE BOWL FOR YOUR FIRST WAVE. HOW DID YOU KNOW WHERE TO SIT?
Sarah Gerhardt and John Bowling have shown me where to sit. There are three line-ups that I use to position myself.
WHAT WERE THE CONDITIONS LIKE?
Glassy, sunny, small for Mavericks but some good waves every once in a while.
WHAT BOARD WERE YOU RIDING?
I was riding a 9'0 Strive quad.
IT SEEMED LIKE YOU HAD A LOT OF PATIENCE. WERE YOU WAITING FOR THE RIGHT WAVE?
Yeah, I wanted to concentrate on taking off more in the bowl. Because it was a smaller day, it was a good day to learn.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SURFING MAVERICKS?
The first time I paddled out I was 16. Then I got intimidated for a while. Then I paddled out in February 2008 with my brother, Patrick, and Kyle Alreck. Each year I've only gone out a few times.
WHAT OTHER BIG WAVE SPOTS HAVE YOU SURFED?
I haven't surfed that many big wave spots-- Puerto Escondido, Sunset Beach, big Steamer Lane and Scotts.
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN TO PUERTO?
Last summer I was there for three months and I've been going there every summer for the past five years.
WHAT ARE YOUR BIG WAVE GOALS?
My goal right now is to increase my wave count at Mavericks and catch waves deeper in the bowl. And trying to get good, big barrels at Puerto.
WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU AND SUPPORTED YOUR SURFING ENDEAVORS?
The Brouwer family, the Gerhardts, that guy John -- he's really nice and he charges. And my family, Roxy, and Strive Surfboards.
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January 13, 2010
