M.T. Bourque
Local teen gets Smart Girls Who Surf sponsorship
Q: You recently were selected as an East Coast Team rider for Smart Girls Who Surf, a national company that sells natural and chemical-free sunscreen and skin-care products. What are the perks of being a sponsored surfer?
M.T. Bourque, Smart girl who surfs.
Meet M.T.
Job: Rising junior at Wando High School.
Residence: Isle of Palms.
Family: Mother, Carol; father, Dave; brother, David, 17; golden retriever, Buddy, and Kitty Cat.
Age: 16.
Hobbies: Surfing, kiteboarding, songwriting.
M.T. Bourque surfs in the Girls Longboard competition during the Folly Beach Wahine Classic on June 6.
A: I get to be a part of a very cool company who I am proud to support. I get free and very good sunblock, bragging rights and my very own page on the Smart Girls Who Surf website, www.smartgirlswhosurf.com.
Q: Have you ever been sponsored before?
A: Last year, I had a lot of community support but no one within the surfing community. This is my first national sponsor. Since my Smart Girls sponsorship, I am also sponsored locally by Charleston Watersports and Bikram Yoga.
Q: How long have you been surfing?
A: I have been surfing all of my life, but I have been competitively surfing for four years.
Q: What's your favorite thing about the sport?
A: My favorite thing about surfing is once you are on the wave, you forget everything.
Q: What's the difference between riding a longboard and a shortboard? Which do you prefer?
A: A shortboard is much smaller, faster and easier to turn. It requires a bigger wave that is slightly steeper. Shortboarding is all about the tricks and the adrenaline rush. A longboard is 9 feet long. It is not necessarily slower, but it is meant to do long, graceful turns, and you want to hang on the nose of the board. Longboarding is all about style. I prefer to shortboard, but really I am a better longboarder. That is because the waves here in South Carolina are perfect for longboarding.
Q: You recently won First Place Open in the 2010 Folly Beach Wahine Classic. Why do you like to surf competitively?
A: I like to surf competitively because I am naturally a competitive person. But when you surf in contest, it forces you to analyze how you are riding the wave. The contests always have a fun and good vibe around them; also, it brings me to new and interesting places.
Q: Who is your favorite professional surfer and why?
A: Kelly Slater is my all-time favorite surfer because he is the nine-time world champion! Also, he was born and raised in Florida. He is representing the East Coast with each contest he wins!
Q: How do you think you can be a role model for younger surfers now that you are part of a national surfing team?
A: Being a role model to young girls is very important to me as a female athlete. I think it is important to show that young girls can be successful and competitive in a predominantly male sport. I also want to show that it is not always about winning but being a good sportswoman and being skilled at what I am doing. Smart Girls has really shown me the importance of taking care of my skin and protecting myself from the sun. This is a huge message to young women (and guys) who may not think of the long-term consequences of large amounts of sun exposure. As a role model, I hope to show that not only can I compete at a regional and hopefully national level in surfing, but I can keep good grades at school and participate in other activities to be a well-rounded person.
Q: Smart Girls Who Surf promotes using eco-friendly sunscreen and skin-care products to protect our oceans. What do you think are other steps people can take to help protect our environment?
A: Always leave the beach (or anywhere else) a little cleaner than when you came. When people pick up after themselves, it helps our environment tremendously.
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: Besides a pro surfer or a famous singer/songwriter or a NASA astronaut, I would like to become a physical therapist. I do like working with others and helping people.
Q: What is your favorite sea animal?
A: Definitely a baby puffer fish! They are no bigger than a penny.
Q: You're 16. Have you considered asking Smart Girls Who Surf to buy you a new car if you put their logo on it?
A: Ha ha ha! I'm still asking my mom to get my restricted license.
Q: Team Edward or Team Jacob?
A: Oh, my gosh! I was with Edward first, now I'm on the Jacob side. But when the fourth ("Eclipse") movie comes out, I will probably switch again!
Compiled by Rene Smith
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