How I got started surfing: My first summer in NY, a friend invited me to Long Beach where she had a summer rental. She had an old longboard on her porch and she told me to paddle out and just 'jump up' when I feel the wave pushing me. I was having so much fun that I didn't notice the squall and the whistle blowing lifeguards yelling for the surfers to get out of the water. I finally realized something was up when the sky turned black and green and everyone on the beach was scrambling for shelter. I rode to shore and ran as fast as I could with this old longboard dragging me down and ducked under the boardwalk just in time to watch everything fly through the air like the tornado scene in The Wizard of Oz. After it subsided I wanted to go back into the water - I knew I was hooked.

Athletic achievements:  When I was a teenager I used to ride in rodeos and won alot of barrel racing and pole bending events. But my greatest achievment so far is surviving paddling out with tow-in surfer Andrea Moller in Maui. The power of Hawaiian waves is INCREDIBLE!

Athletic goals: My athletic goals are to never stop trying new things and maybe crack a backside air!

Inspiration: Rell Sunn has always been a huge inspiration to me. She was so beautiful and made surfing seem like a liquid dream. I'm also inspired by surfers who can make it out on huge wave days and survive!

Philosophy: My philosophy is to love and respect nature and it will love and respect you back.

Favorite spot to do my sport: Montauk, EAB, Puena Point, Hatteras, anywhere the waves are long and rolling like butter.

Favorite Girls4Sport wear: I always wear the long sleeve rashguards - they ROCK!

What I do when I'm not surfing:  Cooking with great friends, writing, painting, anything that makes me smile - oh and homework.

My job: At the moment I am a Children's Librarian, surf instructor, surf gear sales rep, freelance writer, and grad student.