| |
CLAUDIA FERRARI interview
Claudia grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil and has been bodyboarding professionally for 20 years. She got her start by surfing at Guaruja, a beach an hour from Sao Paulo, and owned one of the first bodyboards ever in Brazil back in 1983.
Since then, Claudia has garnered numerous awards including:
-"Vice World Champion 1990"
-"WORLD CHAMPION 1995"
- "5 times Sao Paulo State Champion"
She has also been consistently ranked as one of the Most Popular Bodyboarders in the World by the five leading bodyboarding magazines and was awarded Most Inspirational Woman Bodyboarder by the Global Organization of Bodyboarders (GOB) in 1997.
For the last 12 years she lives in Hawaii and her biggest goal is to help the improvement and awareness of Womens Bodyboarding.
How do you feel about doing this interview?
It is nice when people recognize your work, specially after I have put some much into it..
I think you're probably the most talked about, photographed and interviewed female bodyboarder on the planet. You have won numerous awards, and are considered the ambassador of womens bodyboarding. Obviously this comes at a price, any regrets?
No regrets at all, just a bit of sadness to see that the sport doesn't go anywhere because all this surfing industry discrimination and lack of support.
You have become a legend in your own lifetime, what do you think of that?
I guess it is nice to know that people appreciate what you do and it is nice that being a part of a wave of top female riders from Brazil we were able to show the world that we could do it and do it right. Even with all this non-support/appreciation from the surfing we still have changed peoples minds about women bodyboarding.
 |
 |
| 1996 World champion |
Prize giving ceremony |
What do you think gives you the edge and what motivates you?
I am just so very athletic and I love the water. I love to work out. I am Pisces (star sign) and I think bodyboarding was the best sport I could possibly get involved with. Living in Hawaii and having the best waves in the world, clean water at your own backyards helps a lot too.
You fought for the recognition of womens bodyboarding as a pro sport back in 1990, How have things developed since then?
I see lots of professional female riders, but unfortunately in an amateur sport.
If we don't get support we aren't going anywhere...I think we need a stronger organization as well.
The worst is, working with the surfing industry, I see that everybody (the sponsors and organizers) see that the bodyboarding is a radical sport and the women bodyboarders are very good "sellers" for any products, but they don't want to take the risk of supporting because the surfers discriminate and defame the sport to the max.
 |
 |
| Air time |
Off shore glass |
What exactly is your involvement in the Triple Crown and Haleiwa event, tell us about that.
I work on the administration, i am the tallier for the judges scores. We have beach & bite (digital live scoring) for the triple crown and now we are getting this system to all the Hawaiian events, so they are training me to do it.
This was my sixth year working with them and it is awesome to see and work with their structure, budget and support. It is really professional and well funded.
What do you think is responsible for the surge of interest in Boardriding amongst women?
I think the biggest thing is that "we" rip big and still look like girls, ha,ha,ha...
Which bodyboarders and companies do you respect the most and why?
Mike Stewart, I think i don't need to say why, he is the legend...
Guilherme Tamega, because he is so hard working and coming from Brazil to conquer the bodyboarding world like he did, with Mike, an American been the man, Guilherme's way to the top wasn't easy... And he has proved he is the second man...
 |
 |
| (Girls) 'rip big and still look like girls' |
Kickin' back |
Have you signed any deals with sponsors?
Sponsors, what's that? I don't think that word exists in the bodyboarding dictionary, Does it???
What are your favorite spots and why?
Otw, Pipe and Back Door. Because there are the best waves in the world. Too bad last few years have been extremely over crowded.
I know you've been all over the world, what were the coolest places you've visited and what makes them special?
Tahiti was so cool because it is like Hawaii but still has much more of the islanders mood and culture. Reunion Island, because the waves are awesome.
I like being on an island, surrounded by water because no matter how the conditions and winds are we can always find a spot to surf.
Have you ever been in big trouble in the water? What happened?
I have had few injures, my knee (torn ligaments), my back (two smashed disks), lots of small cuts, couple of serious deep diving because huge sets on my head, towing in by the life guard couple of times because the swell picked up too quickly, but no major situations that I would be traumatised about.
 |
 |
| Ripping it up |
Claudia explodes the lip |
What kind of gear do you use?
Right now I have a very old bz, my signature board (they don't make them anymore) shaped by Yamo (same shaper of Jeff Hubbard's boards). I used the old styles Redleys, I love them. Bsd leashes.
Many young girls look up to you for doing what you do, do you have any heroes/role models?
I think my role models are my own generation of Brazilian girl bodyboarders: Neymara Carvalho, Karla Costa, Mariana and Isabela Nogueira, Stephanie Pettersen, Soraia Rocha, Daniela Freitas and so on...
I haven't seen any of the new generation with this much power as we had on our own...These girls are for sure, the best of what the sport ever had and ever will....
What is the biggest surf you've been out in?
10 foot Pipe (Hawaiian measurements)
 |
 |
| Claudia drops in at Pipe |
Girls going out at Pipe |
Best movie ever and what type of music are you into?
I love movies: Dances with the wolves, Pretty Woman (ha,ha,ha), Samurai, there are so many... Music, I like Hawaiian and Rock.
Favourite food?
Japanese and Italian
Are you involved in any other sports?
I work out everyday. I love where I live because I do so much outdoors: run, bike, swim, long walks, stretch, play tennis... everyday I do something different.
 |
 |
| Slotted |
"Hard Butt, nice legs" ;-) |
What is the best thing about being female bodyboarder?
I have a hard butt and nice legs, ha, ha, ha.
What sucks about being a female bodyboarder?
Being so discriminated by the surfing industry. But I think their biggest fear is that if they ever support us we will definitely take over from the female surfers.
We go bigger, deeper and higher and we still feminine and look like girls. Any last words?
If you love what you do don't worry about what others think. Just have fun and be happy.
This interview by Zoco Boardriding Adventures .Tap the source...
Images/photgraphy used with the kind permission of claudiaferrari.com
If you would like to be interviewed or would like to contibute to this site please email: info@surflanzarote.com
|
|
