2010 Women’s Pipeline Pro Awards…Karla claims victory…PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY BLACK BODYBOARDERS HAWAII…Danny’s got more photos where these came from, for prints of Danny’s Work email the spunjah chronic staff at spunjahchronic@hotmail.com

We present to you 2 interviews with the 1st place and runner up of the North Shore Soap Factory Women’s Pipeline Pro.  The first place winner Karla Costa Taylor is a seasoned veteran of the sport and we’re not surprised about her first place win in this year’s Pipe contest.  Secondly we have Jade Robles, the Hawaiian finalist and runner up in the competition.  Normally second place doesn’t get any coverage for obvious reasons but Jade is an exception.  She’s come a long way in the sport from amateur competitions in high school to 2nd place in the Pipeline Pro!  Below you got the opportunity to get to know these two ladies a little better…

KARLA COSTA TAYLOR

Karla pictured above, slotted at the Pipe contest this year…PHOTO courtesy of Allistair Taylor

Karla: October 10th…age 36…residing in Hawaii…orginally from Brazil

“It is my second win at Pipe, first was in 2000 when I won the world title. Both feels amazing.  I’m a 1999 World Champion, ISA World Champion, 3 x runner up on the World tour and 2 x Pipe champ

Spunjah Chronic: How would you rate the overall organization of the North Shore Soap Factory Women’s Pipeline Pro this year?

Karla: Good, Betty has been working very hard to get this event a bigger and better coverage. The event was in time and well run. I hope it keeps getting bigger and better.

Spunjah Chronic: What kind of preparation did you do leading up to this competition?

Karla: The best answer for that is ” what I could”….I have two kids and it takes my entire time looking after them, so when I have a chance I am in the water, no matter how bad the waves are. Mentally I have been preparing for this for the past few years. As for coaching, my husband Allistair makes my boards and he gives me insight of how I am riding and what can improve…I like it.

Spunjah Chronic: Even though the waves weren’t exactly spectacular according to the public standards of the wave Pipeline, there is still a risk.  Imagine if the waves were more up to the standards of Pipeline, would you see the contest being different in any way?

Karla: Contests are contests after all, one heat can have great waves and the other can be flat…I just try to do my best on that day and whatever conditions there is. It would be great to have pipe at its best, but I think we where also very lucky for that last day of the waiting period.

Spunjah Chronic: This win is a great way to carry on the year of 2010 for you.  Do you have any other plans as a competitive female bodyboarder in 2010 and beyond?

Karla: I am going on tour now. I want the World title again and pipe has motivated me to try again. We’ll see what happens.

Spunjah Chronic: As a veteran of female bodyboarding, how has the sport changed in your eyes since you started you career?

Karla: I think the fight continues and we are still trying for recognition and better support.

Spunjah Chronic: Lastly, are there any sponsors that support your riding and anyone that supports you that you would like to thank?

Karla:

www.sciencecustoms.com

www.agencianucleo.com

My family and my husband for supporting me. God for giving me this chance once again.

Karla pictured above, a rare sight, on the cover of a national bodyboarding magazine…Circa 1998…PHOTO SPUNJAHCHRONIC.COM

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NEXT…

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JADE  ROBLES

Jade pictured above…It’s not the size that matters but more the style…Jade about to get slotted at pipe during the contest 2010…

PHOTO:  AUBUCHON PHOTOGRAPHY

Jade: Originally from Kaimuki…now living on the North Shore, bodyboarding for 9 years, teacher at Mililani Waena Elementary

Spunjah Chronic: What brought you to enter the women’s pipeline pro this year?

Jade: I was really fortunate to have gotten the wild card seed into the contest. The North Shore Soap factory gave me that spot.  If it wasn’t for them  I would not have been able to enter because financially I couldn’t do it.

Spunjah Chronic: How would you rate the overall organization of the North Shore Soap Factory Women’s Pipeline Pro this year?

Jade: It was organized really well, North Shore Soap factory was very supportive, Betty Depolito (contest director) did a great job working day and night trying to keep things running smooth and waiting out for the best waves..We were blessed on the last day because the conditions were really nice and a new swell came in. We did a lot of promoting for the sport, holding  a bodyboarding clinic for the girls of the community which was also something new and really fun.

Spunjah Chronic: What kind of preparation did you do leading up to this competition?

Jade: I was doing a lot of yoga twice a day, and running after work. Not much surf was around so I didn’t surf much.

Spunjah Chronic: “The only Hawaiian finalist” is a proud title to carry.  Describe how you feel about achieving this and how it’s affected you since.

Jade: Super stoked. I just got really lucky that day, thats all.  I surfed against so many women from around the world that rip, and my friends,  they all rip. It was anyone’s game really. It’s so rad that it happened at pipe though, in Hawaii and that I’m from here and was able to be a part of it.

Spunjah Chronic: Growing up as a female bodyboarder in Hawaii, what kind of changes have you noticed in the physical ability of the women comparing the 1990s to the present time?

Jade: Locals, I don’t know there was a handful of super talented hawaiian girls in the late 90′s, Felecia Hambaro, Kamalehua Richardson, Chasity Baltazar, just dont know where they went. Local girls today, Christina, Kelly, Lindsey, they’re talented and  they charge too. But for the most part,I think they just want to get barreled and have fun surfing good waves on the North Shore.

Spunjah Chronic: Do you have any special plans in 2010 as a bodyboarder that you want our viewers to know about?

Jade: No not really.  I’m hoping furloughs will end so I can start saving for a surf trip. Other then that just working and free surfing wherever the waves are.

Spunjah Chronic: Lastly, are there any sponsors that support your riding and anyone that supports you that you would like to thank?

Jade: Toobs bodyboards, MS viper fins, honeygirl waterwear, photogs-Danny Black, Ryan Beppu, Maurice Aubuchon, Colin Mcgillivray, Shmurt Mcgurt, Andrew Rams, these guys are always supportive and shooting the girls. Spunjahchronic for the interview, and Hauoli Reeves and Eckart Tolle for the inspiration.

Jade going up to the lip to keep her scores up and advancing onto the finals…PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE GRODZEN