Twenty-three year old Aussie pro surfer Carly Smith has a lot to answer for -- as a competitor and surfwear model, she’s indirectly promoted women’s surfing for years; as head coach on the Roxy Surf Jam she’ll be directly responsible for encouraging hundreds of girls to try surfing at a beach near you soon too. Yep, if you’re stoked women’s surfing is going through the roof she’s high on the list of chicks to thank… or whack on your hit list if you’re not!
The Roxy Surf Jam is an all-girl instructional surf day that has taught surfing skills and water safety to thousands of women of all ages and ability levels; kicking off on September 7th on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the ninth annual Roxy Surf Jam ’06 will weave its way through six Australian states and New Zealand for a rigorous four month tour that will reach even more girls. Carly will be a prominent fixture at the events, joining qualified surf coaches at over 20 coastal destinations alongside fellow members of Roxy’s surf team including current ASP Women's Surfing Champion, Chelsea Georgeson, and longboarding champion Selby Riddle.
But who is this Carly chick, and why the dedication to promoting her sport? We managed to steal five minutes of her time to find out.
You’ve been really involved in introducing thousands of Aussie girls to surfing, but when did you start surfing yourself?
When I was around 10 I swapped over my boogie board for a short board. Mum figured if I was standing up on the booga that it was time for a change! I grew up across the road from the beach at Byron Bay, so it was just all part of my lifestyle. I spent all day everyday down there when I was growing up.You were a major player on the junior women's scene before entering onto the World Qualifying Series (WQS).
What was the highest accolade you received?
Winning a pro junior was always my goal from when I started. I finally achieved it on my last year of the Junior Series at Avoca... It was the best day!!! Aussie girls are definitely the toughest competition, so I was very stoked just knowing going into the WQS I had the ability - it gave me a massive confidence boost!
With you involvement with the Jam, do you still focus on your competitive career?
I haven’t been doing as many [contests] this year, just heaps of surfing and travel and keeping very, very busy with Roxy! But when I do compete, my favourite time of the year is going in the trial event in Fiji, Tavarua. It’s soooo beautiful, and the waves are amazing.
What would you be doing with yourself if you hadn't discovered surfing?
Definitely a pro tennis player; I played every day growing up and there basically come a time where I had to choose between tennis or surfing. I’ve always been very competitive, but I guess the climate up here is too hot to be playing tennis! Very glad I chose the path I did, so many good times travelling, surfing and meeting new people.
How long have you been involved with the Roxy Surf Jam?
Around five years, this will be my fourth full year.
What's a typical day on the Jam tour like?
Well it’s Jam packed! Kick off is around 8 am for us, and our typical day finishes around three. We start with registrations, warm up, teaching ‘Ocean Knowledge’ and learn to surf drills then getting out in the water, lunch, another surf, final presentation then pack up and head off to the next destination.
Has the format evolved much over the years?
Yeah definitely; although it’s a learn to surf day we’ve added a more intermediate program where more experienced girls can also get a few more tips off myself or Chelsea [Georgeson]. Every year the Jams are getting bigger, so we have to keep on growing with them and making them even better! We also have a lot more destinations now so no one misses out. Also the goody bags are insane, even I get jealous!!!
How do you handle the intense four-month schedule? Does home life suffer?
I’ve always loved keeping busy, and every year I know they’re coming around so I’m always prepared. They are pretty well spaced out, so I have plenty of time to chill as well, and I travel with a really good crew doing them, so we all have a lot of fun.
What are you most looking forward to about hitting the road with the Jam series again?
I guess just seeing all the new faces as well as the old; we have some girls that come year in and out. Plus I just love the reward of passing on my skills and also promoting surf safety -- especially coming into summer, it’s so important! Some girls come up to me at the end of the day and tell me they have had the best day of their life, its very rewarding!
What would you say to girls thinking of giving it a go?
You have to try; once you start you’ll become addicted – it’s such a healthy lifestyle and also keeps you really fit!!