Jessica Oswald grew up in Hawaii. Having been raised by the ocean, her first introduction to the open surf would be at the tender age of six. She would eventually make the transition into the sport of wakesurfing where she would quickly develop a reputation for her aggressive surf-style riding, carving power turns, and precision tricks. Competing in the Worlds, she would take home the championship title for both the 2004 and 2006 Women's World Wakesurfing Champion. This would become a highlight in a career that is only continuing to rise. Her talents would be immortalized in the WakeSurf Instructional, where Jessica would co-star with Drew Danielo. Representing the surf-inspired boards and riders; Jessica's tutorial would be the flip-side to Drew's skim-style riding.

Dividing her time between wakesurfing and education; Jessica competed in 2007 taking home first in Nationals for Women's Open, second at Nationals for Long board, and third place in Women's Open at the Worldís. I had an opportunity to meet Jessica for the first time at the Worlds this year, after having watched the Wakesurfing Instructional. She is a great advocate in the sport and solid teacher and coach to wakesurf riders. Now onto Jessica with a look inside the wave.

Wakechick: Growing up you lived in Hawaii, what can you tell us about the culture and how it defined you and your riding style?

Jessica Oswald: The culture is very warm and welcoming, that is unless you upset anyone, then it can be scary and life threatening. With wakesurfing, I have a "surf" style, honed through countless at Rocky Point and Lanikea.

Wakechick: Obviously, coming from the islands, you began at a young age at what age did you start surfing?

Jessica Oswald: I first surfed at age 6, but I got some serious poundings (the north shore isnít the best place to learn) and I didn't surf again until I was 10. From the age of 10, I haven't stopped surfing.

Wakechick: When did you make your transition to Wakesurfing? What drew you into wakesurfing?

Jessica Oswald: I started wakesurfing four years ago when I was asked to review the sport for a surfing magazine. I was initially terrible and unable to ride rope less, a little bit of instruction or coaching would have been useful. I initially used wake surfing as a cross-training tool for my competitive surfing and fell in love with not having to battle aggressive men for waves, wait for the perfect tide and wind combination, and check all over town for the perfect spot.

Wakechick: How is it that you find your ocean surfing has helped and / or hindered you in wakesurfing?

Jessica Oswald: Perhaps I am a little biased, but I am a big fan of style. Not to say that I have the best style, but my years of practice on a surfboard of trying to look smooth definitely crosses over. My hindrance is apparent with my biased preference towards surf-style.

Wakechick: When you made this transition, what was the first board that you rode wakesurfing?

Jessica Oswald: A shoreline 7'

Wakechick: What boards have you ridden in wakesurfing since and what is your fav board to ride on now?

Jessica Oswald: I have been on a lot of boards, I really like my 5' shoreline squash tail, and Liquid Force Custom board.

Wakechick: How often do you get out riding? And do you split your time between wakesurfing and ocean surfing still?

Jessica Oswald: I get out on the lake a lot more in the summer than I do in the winter (my lake freezes) and I live inland and only ocean surf when I visit home in Hawaii over Christmas.

Wakechick: Let's talk about your riding for a minute how versatile are you, can you ride heelside, toeside, goofy and regular?

Jessica Oswald: Rocky Point is my home break and I grew up surfing a left. I am very comfortable on both sides of the boat.

Wakechick: Tricks, which are your favs to throw in competition and favs throw when you are just having fun?

Jessica Oswald: My favorite tricks involve airs. I am trying to tweak them out and hope to land air spins.

Wakechick: For our readers, can you give us the Jessica Oswald competition history? What awards have you won? How have the competitions changed for you?

Jessica Oswald: My biggest results are 2004 and 2006 world champion and 2007 national champion.

Wakechick: Which win has meant the most to you and why?

Jessica Oswald: The 2006 world championship win has meant the most because I lost in 2005 and had to come back twice as strong to reclaim my title.

Wakechick: You currently ride for Shoreline, what is your favorite Wakesurf board to ride?

Jessica Oswald: Their 5' fish

Wakechick: What can you tell us about the New Wave Vehicle line of surfers coming out?

Jessica Oswald: They have a board that looks like a rocket ship, I think its called the Outlaw. It is fast and launches huge off the lip.

Wakechick: What level of influence have you had on designing boards? What is it like to work with a shaper such as Mike?

Jessica Oswald: I know Mike's shaper and his wife and I work together to make really cute pink boards. These can be specially requested through New Wave Vehicle. I prefer my boards to be a little thinner and am always on Daveís (Mike's shaper) case about the dimensions.

Wakechick: What is your primary Wakesurf board for competition?

Jessica Oswald: The 5' shoreline fish Why? I like this boards versatility, maneuverability, and functionality.

Wakechick: What is your current have fun wakesurfer? Why?

Jessica Oswald: I have fun on all boards.

Wakechick: How do you view the age old style differences between skim wakesurfers and ocean-inspired wakesurfers?

Jessica Oswald: I think surfers have a lot of steez and are insane to watch. What they make look like easy takes years of practice. If you get a chance, watch some of Chase Hazen's or Josh Sleigh's video clips.

Wakechick: In terms of preference Ocean, Skim, Long ñ and why? Do you ride them all at certain times and events? What would be your number 1 and why?

Jessica Oswald: I usually surf but am actually trying to learn skim style. I of course only practice on my skim when no one is watching and my boat driver is in a good mood but hope I will showcase my tricks next summer.

Wakechick: Have you ever had a board that has been a very disappointing experience? Why?

Jessica Oswald: I think all boards have there advantages and disadvantages. Some boards are better for beginners while others are designed for more advance riding. I was disappointed with the phase five oogle, but I think this is because it is more of a beginner board.

Wakechick: Given your history as a surfer, I am curious as to your preference on Traction. Tell us about your preference, installed by you or other? Arch bar or no? Full deck or pads with wax? What's your setup?

Jessica Oswald: I like a traction pad with no arch bar and a huge kick tail. For the ocean I have a tail pad and wax the rest of my board but for wakesurfing, I prefer all padding this way my wax isn't melting allover $50,000 boats.

Wakechick: What configuration do you prefer: Fins, thruster, single, dual, finless, when and why?

Jessica Oswald: I prefer a dual fin system

Wakechick: With the sport of wakesurfing growing in its popularity; how do you see the progression of wakesurfing evolving over the next 5 years?

Jessica Oswald: I see bigger waves, bigger maneuvers, and bigger spins.