Surfer, Philanthropist - Australia
24 year old Stephanie, who was born and raised in New South Wales, Australia, has already become one of the most accomplished surfers in the world. She won five consecutive ASP (Association of surfing professionals) Women’s World titles and still remains the only surfer to take the title in her rookie year. Stephanie also holds a Laureus Award, possibly the most prestigious award in the sport worldwide. She plays both acoustic and electric guitar, including her vintage Fender strat. Also an ambassador for Nikon, she is an avid photographer and documents her world travels. Stephanie’s philanthropic work includes Australia’s youth-focused Black Dog Foundation, through which she sponsors two children in kenya and ethiopia, and the Couer de Foret project, in which she helps build sustainable villages in the Casamance region of Senegal.
Q&A
Favorite Food?
La Esquina in NY, NY
Favorite movie?
Madonna: Truth or Dare
Favorite Travel Spot?
USA! There is so much more I want to see and do...New Orleans, Upstate New York, hell I want to go to Alabama!!
Best live concert ever attended?
There were two: Yeah Yeah Yeah’s New Years Eve at Falls Festival in Australia. Karen O really painted a colorful performance, my friends and I were going crazy front and center. I also really loved a Dick Dale concert I went to in California... he is the originator of surf guitar genre and the riffs they use in old surf films (or more famously, Pulp Fiction). Iconic and so impressive.
Where is the most fun wave you've ever surfed?
P-Pass in Micronesia is where I’ve had the most exhilarating waves. Mainland Mexico was the most fun.
Whats is your favorite city in the world?
New York City or Biarritz, France.
Who is your fashion icon?
So many! Kate Moss, Gaga, Alexa Chung, Issey Miyake, Cate Blanchett, Blake Lively, Marion Cottillard’s character in Midnight in Paris.
Who is the most inspiring person you've ever met?
Sophie Wise... I wish I had met Christopher McCandless.
What is the greatest thrill you've ever experienced?
Getting barreled in the clear waters of the Pacific ocean.
What is the most daring thing you want to do?
Play onstage at a festival with a crowd of 50,000, some how, some day!
If you could jam with any musician throughout history, who would you jam with?
Jimi Hendrix, the sexiest of them all.
3 words to describe yourself?
Learning, living and smiling.
Biggest chance you've ever taken?
Going straight on tour and wanting nothing less than the world title in my rookie year.
One sentence to sum up all your girlfriends?
The Ladies of Leisure - cook-ups, coffee shops, surfing, shopping, a little wine when the sun goes down and dancing when we’re feeling it!
You've accomplished a lot in the last 5 years - Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I see myself feeling a little bit younger with a lot more knowledge, and still inspired to keep evolving, learning and creating! I want to be traveling as much as I am now and surfing more.
Songs currently on heavy rotation?
Bjork - “Venus as a Boy,” The Non - “Horse Leper,” The Doors- “Love Her Madly,” Michael Jackson - “P.Y.T.,” Electric Smile Band- “Clear Skies of Destruction,” Jay Z & Kanye - “Otis,”and secretly I love Madonna’s new cheerleader track. I love that she worked with M.I.A.
Best vacation you've ever been on?
I recently went to Klosters in Switzerland and stayed in a fancy chalet in the snow. Although we were there to shoot Quiksilver winter gear, we were being spoiled so it felt like a holiday, especially being so far away from the ocean in the gorgeous mountains. Unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I love the alpine life.
SPF #?
MAC SPF 35 primer underneath then Ella Bache Opaque Covering Cream on top. Double up kids, the sun can be evil!
Favorite Book?
Just Kids - By Patti Smith
How did the Water Dancer project change your perspective on surfing/dancing?
It didn’t change my perspective on surfing. It let me express the way I’ve always observed female surfing. But it really opened my eyes to the parallels of body movement, choreography, feeling and performance between riding waves and dancing. Perhaps dancing is moving the body to ride waves of sound.
