Rosy Hodge from East London is arguably  the best female surfer in South Africa. She is currently competing on the World Tour at the young age of 21, and is the only female South African on that elite tour. While there might be many girls competing hard on the WQS, only Rosy is skilled and talented enough to be competing the premier World Tour. Like her predecessor Heather Clarke, Rosy hails from the wave-rich city of East London, and it is the local right-hand points and reefs, combined her abundance of talent, which has groomed her to be a World Tour caliber surfer.

Rosy started surfing when she was 8 years old, dragged along with her older brother Matt and her dad Steve. While learning to surf she earned Border colours for swimming in the U9 and U10 divisions. In her first SA Champs she entered in the boys division and came fourth in the U10 age group. In her second senior SA Champs she shocked the establishment by placing fourth in the U18 division at the tender age of 9 years old! She earned her South African Junior colours at the age of 11, and was quickly developing into a highly talented and rated young surfer. When she was only 11 years old Rosy was selected to represent South Africa in the World Grommet Champs in Bali, where she went on to place a credible ninth.

Rosy has also dominated South African champs in every division, pretty much winning everything in sight. Her victories include winning the U14 division four times, winning the U16 division twice and winning the U18 division twice. She also won the U20 division, once.

Rosy joined the WQS in 2006, after matriculating in 2005. It took her just one year on the tour that some people battle on for years and years, to qualify for the World Tour. As Barry Wollins said, when he heard the news that she had qualified, “It was just a matter of time, and Rosy didn’t even need the time.” In that period she also attained the Pro Surf Tour (SA domestic tour) U20 title, as well as getting second in the 2005 Ladies division.

Last year Rosy was fighting for her spot on the 2008 World Tour, and she went on to place third in the Billabong Pro Maui. That third place finish got her a twelfth spot on the World Tour, but was not enough to requalify. Then Chelsea Hedges fell pregnant and Rosy jumped up to eleventh spot and requalified!

With renewed confidence Rosy hit the 2008 tour with a vengeance and quickly racked up a third place at the Midori Pro six star event in Newcastle, Australia. She backed this up with a second place at the Drug Aware Pro five star event at Margaret River, Western Australia. She is currently ranked second on the WQS and eleventh on the World Tour.

By now Rosy was a fast rising superstar, recognized by the surfing world. Surfer magazine placed her third in their annual Hot 100 listings.

Cosmopolitan Magazine awarded her one of their Awesome Women Of 2007 Awards, and she featured in the popular Sports Illustrated Beauties Of Sport 2008 Magazine.

Rosy personifies the spirit of an elite athlete and is a role model for all South African surfing girls. She is admired by surfers the world over and her career is only starting. With her rekindled competitive spirit, great things are in store for her.

By Craig Jarvis