Delphinidae

Sierra's Betty B Cause Design

On a trip to Bali in August 2009 with the rest of the Betty Belts team, I was lucky enough to design a piece of jewelry for the collection of Betty B, my longtime sponsor and supporter. The whole process that goes into a Betty B piece is incredible. First of all Betty Belts is a very socially and environmentally responsible company, and I was able to see first hand the very ethical way that Donna von Hosselin creates her jewelry.

After much help from Donna and Joanna at Studio Perak, Delphinidae was created. Dolphins will always have a special place in my heart and my story about them is below. Also this piece is part of the Cause Collection for Betty Belts, so 10% of it's profits is donated to my choice of charity which for my piece is Project Kaisei. Project Kaisei is an organization dedicated to creating an ocean clean up initiative and capturing the plastic vortex in the north pacific ocean. Project Kaisei not only is going to spare us from this "monster" that we created, they are going to save the lives of many ocean creatures, including our beloved dolphins.

My Story

Dolphins as animals, as a symbol and as an omen have been and always will be a part of my life and my family's lives.

My mom told this story to me, and it explained to me why dolphins have always been so important to me. My parents had always wanted children, but having children seemed unattainable, until one day when my mom finally found out that she was pregnant. They happened to be in Fiji at the time, and as they were leaving the island on the ferry, a pair of dolphins accompanied their boat jumping together in unison. My parents joked around that the two dolphins were an omen that they would have twins. They didn't think too much of that day until the day they found out that they were indeed having twins.

When my parents first introduced me to the ocean, they reminded me to never be scared. I should never be scared because I was a visitor in the dolphin's and many other creature's oceans. If I wanted to be safe I needed to learn from the dolphins by never resisting the ocean and to always respect it. Now whenever I'm out in the ocean and I'm lucky enough to see dolphins I always feel safe and I know that I'm never alone.

You can view and purchase my design at Betty Belts

And a very big thank you to Donna von Hosselin, David Pu'u and Joanna at Studio Perak for sharing your creativity and insight with me to make this design everything and more than I could have ever hoped for

O'Neil Surf Academy & Out of bounds - July 2010

For the fourth year in a row we went to Europe to be surf instructors and teach hundreds of eager groms how to surf with the O’neill Surf Academy. This year the schedule included four stops in Holland starting with Zandvoort, then Scheveningen, Domburg and Bergen aan Zee and then Biarritz, France.

Once again for the third year, the Out of Bounds program was included in our Surf Academy stops in Holland and France. In Scheveningen, Holland we taught a group of students with varying degrees of visual impairment. In Biarritz, France we taught students with autism. The days of the Out of Bounds program are really so special, it is almost hard to put into words all the feelings, fun and emotions felt by everyone. As surf instructors we are the ones passing on the gift of surfing to someone else, but it is actually the other way around. The kids taught us much more than we ever bargained for. From the Out of Bounds program we have learned that anything is possible, to never take no for an answer, to really experience the world in all that it has to offer, and how the ocean can connect us all. We truly hope that all the kids we taught on these days will remember their first surfing experience, because we will never forget what a great time we had teaching and learning from these extraordinary kids.

Surfing is a gift and we feel so lucky to have had the opportunity pass it forward to so many kids over these past years. Our Mom and Dad were our surf instructors back when we were little and now we can appreciate all the work that goes into teaching kids to surf as well as how much gratification there is in it. The one moment in surfing that is universal in all languages and countries is that stoked smile that everyone gets after their first wave. Every time we see that smile on a child’s face, it reminds us of our first waves and how that child will now be hooked to surfing for life.

And here is a video of the Surf Academy Out of Bounds program from last year in Belgium where we got to teach a very sweet girl and now friend named Mei Lan

Hailey & Sierra in the August Issue of Max Sports & Fitness Magazine!

Check out our article in the August issue of Max Sports and Fitness Magazine written by Rochelle Marapao and photographs by Jason Foy. You can pick up a free copy at any Max Muscle store or most gyms.

Here is the link to the online issue

http://www.maxmuscle.com/fitness-magazine/article/fitness-lifestyle/319/

FITNESS LIFESTYLE

SURFER GIRLS

By: Rochelle Marapao

Identical Twins, Hailey and Sierra Partridge, are taking the surfing world by storm.

Twenty-one-year-old identical twins and professional surfers, Hailey and Sierra Partridge, are hard to miss. Strikingly beautiful, they are statuesque at 5-feet-10 with blonde hair and blue-green eyes and look more like models than surfers. But, don’t let their good looks fool you. People may do double takes when the girls walk into a room, but these two are even more amazing to watch in action. The Santa Cruz, California natives are fearless when it comes to tackling tumultuous waves on their surfboards, and it’s this prowess that’s earned them professional status and recognition in the surfing world.

Hailey and Sierra Partridge were born in San Francisco on December 18, 1988 to Rym and Winnie Partridge. The girls were born with congenital cataracts, a condition known to affect 0.4 percent of all births. A congenital cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye that is present at birth. The lens of the eye is normally a clear structure that focuses light received by the eye onto the retina. In some cases, if surgery is not performed, blindness may occur. Fortunately, Hailey and Sierra were able to undergo an operation to save their vision. “We both realize how lucky we were that we lived in a time and place that allowed us to have the surgery to prevent us from becoming blind,” says Hailey.

Growing up, the girls were very athletic and played almost every team sport imaginable including baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball and soccer. But, it was their introduction to the ocean that served as the catalyst for their love of surfing. “My parents had us swimming in the ocean before we could even walk,” recalls Sierra. “My parents are both very skilled water people and shared their love of the ocean with Hailey and me.”

The twins’ parents are accomplished surfers who met while they were both living on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, known as the center stage of the surfing world. “Mom put us on boogie boards when we were 3 years old,” says Hailey. “Shortly after that, we started going tandem with Dad on his board, and by the time we were 9, we were long boarding on our own and competed in our very first contest.” By 13, the girls decided to tackle short boarding and began competing in the NSSA (National Scholastic Surfing Association) and the ISF (Interscholastic Surfing Federation) contests up and down the California coast. Besides traveling for surfing competitions, Hailey and Sierra were still playing other team sports. Once they started high school, a decision had to be made. So when it came down to getting serious about committing themselves to one sport, the girls chose surfing. The choice, however, was an easy one as Sierra explains, “My sister and I love sports and competition, but like our parents, we have a special bond with the ocean. There was no doubt when we had to make a choice that we would choose surfing.”

At 16, Hailey and Sierra gained status as professional surfers and obtained their first official sponsors and contracts. They are proud of the fact that almost 6 years later, the companies who have supported them from the beginning still sponsor them today: O’Neill, Hobie, Ocean Minded and Betty Belts. Besides surfing competitions, Hailey and Sierra go on photo trips and shoots and are featured in worldwide advertising campaigns for their sponsors.

Being sisters and having to compete against each other in surf competitions has had its difficult moments through the years, but it’s the twins mutual respect and love for each other that holds strong and never allows competition and rivalry to become personal. “When we were younger, competing against each other was really hard,” admits Hailey. “We would cry and get jealous, but it taught us some good lessons in sportsmanship and realizing that you can’t always be the best. We have this philosophy that a win or good result for one of us is great for both of us. The same goes for ads and pictures if only one of us gets published. Exposure for one of us is great for our ‘team.’” Adds Sierra, “We’re such good friends and do everything together, so when it comes down to competing against each other, it can be a bit difficult because we know each other’s habits so well. But, when that horn blows, we really have to focus on doing the best job that we can individually.”

Besides the glitz and glamour of surfing and modeling, Hailey and Sierra realize the importance of giving back and making their contribution to the world. They keep things in perspective by getting involved with several charities. For the past few years, they have volunteered as surf instructors with the O’Neill Surf Academy’s Out of Bounds program in Holland and Belgium. The program allows Hailey and Sierra, along with other instructors, the opportunity to teach hundreds of visually impaired and blind children how to surf. “My sister and I feel like that experience was one of the most rewarding events in our lives,” admits Hailey. The twins also donate their time and efforts to the Santa Cruz Ride-A-Wave and the East Bali Poverty Project.

Surfing is a tough sport and when doing it competitively, being in the best physical shape can make the difference between being a good surfer and a great one. Hailey and Sierra take no shortcuts when it comes to exercise and nutrition. “Surfing really tones your arms and back muscles, so it’s important not to forget your legs and core, which still need to be strong,” says Hailey. The girls train year round for competitions by surfing twice a day depending on the quality of the waves, but if this isn’t possible, they will opt to go stand-up paddling instead. Outside of the water, Hailey and Sierra take Vinyasa or Bikram yoga classes to increase their flexibility and tone their legs and core. To increase endurance, the girls go to the gym daily and do hour long sessions of cardio on the treadmill, Stairmaster or recumbent bike and will focus on core exercises by doing ball tucks, planks, sit-ups and crunches. They don’t usually train with weights because they’re fortunate enough to put on muscle they need for surfing and modeling easily, but will add weights when doing squats and sit-ups to change up the intensity of their workouts.

Both Hailey and Sierra have to stay consistent with their workouts and diets all year round. Their exercise regimen is basically the same, but their diets are a little different. Hailey follows a mostly plant based diet eating lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes and nuts. She eats meat three times a week and only lean fish, chicken and turkey. Here is a sample of a typical day of meals for Hailey:
Breakfast: Latte with non-fat or soy milk, berries or an apple, whole grain rolled oatmeal with almonds and walnuts, ½ an Ezekiel muffin with almond butter or scrambled egg whites
Lunch: Turkey sandwich on whole grain bread with veganaise, spinach and tomato
Dinner: Grilled chicken, fish or tofu with a sweet potato and green salad
Post workouts or surf sessions: A protein smoothie with fruit and soy milk or coconut water.
Snacks: Larabars, raw nuts and dried figs or mangos.

Sierra just transitions to a whole food based vegan diet in January and after doing extensive research, she claims, “I have never felt better emotionally and physically.” Here is a typical day of meals for Sierra:

Breakfast: Tea with almond milk, soy yogurt or oatmeal with ground flaxseeds or Acai bowl and fresh seasonal fruit
Snack: Green tea with lemon and stevia, fresh seasonal fruit and a small handful of raw nuts
Lunch: Quinoa with steamed veggies and garbanzo beans, kale salad with cucumbers and tomatoes
Snack: Kombucha tea, raw veggies with hummus
Dinner: Mixed green salad with lots of veggies and topped with beans or steamed tempe and a baked sweet potato
Dessert/Treat: Small amount of red wine or a piece of dark chocolate

Traveling, modeling, surfing and the recognition that comes with it is a life that most people dream of and envy. But good family values, love and respect for each other and a sincere desire to make a difference in the world keep Hailey and Sierra Partridge humble, down-to-earth and determined to succeed. Watch for them. MS&F

Hailey is in the July Issue of SELF Magazine!

Check out the July issue of SELF Magazine on news stands now! On pages 106-107 you will find a beautiful sunrise shot of Hailey jumping off the famous Wiamea rock by photographer Embry Rucker at Wiamea Bay on Oahu's North Shore

Here's a link to the online article...

http://www.self.com/health/2010/07/find-a-career-you-care-about

26th Annual SCLU Memorial Day Contest

Hailey comes away with first place in the 26th Annual Santa Cruz Longboard Union Club Invitational! Last year in '09, Sierra took first and the year before that, Hailey took first in '08. We've kept the Women's Division title in the family for 3 years now!

Check out the full story in the Santa Cruz Sentinel

We're in Fantastics Magazine! Check it out!

Shot by Billy Winters in San Francisco and Santa Cruz...

Check out www.fantasticsmag.com for the full editorial

Check out this week's GOOD TIMES...

Check out this week's GOOD TIMES...

CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S GOOD TIMES (OCTOBER 1-7), KELLY VANDER KAAY WROTE A PIECE ABOUT SIERRA AND I. HERE IT IS BELOW AND I'LL INCLUDE THE LINK TO VIEW IT ONLINE AS WELL...

http://goodtimessantacruz.com/santa-cruz-blogs-commentary/santa-cruz-skating-surfing-news-blog/145-more-than-meets-the-eye.html

More than Meets the Eye

THURSDAY, 01 OCTOBER 2009 17:09 KELLY VANDER KAAY BLOGS -ACTION SPORTS 101

The Partridge twins prove powerful role models
Despite the packed schedule that comes with being in demand, or perhaps in order to give thanks for the associated good fortune, Sierra and Hailey Partridge generously donate their time to numerous charities. To watch the twins execute exquisite carves off the lip of an overhead wave or see them smiling sweetly from their window ads at the O’Neill Surf Shop on 41st Avenue in Capitola, you wouldn’t know that these local surfers-turned-models were born with cataracts. Nonetheless, it quickly became apparent, in speaking with them, how very profoundly this condition has shaped the lives and philosophies of these young women.

Having grown up with a healthy respect for the stories surrounding their father’s 1970 Eaton Waimea gun, the Partridge twins would accompany him for their first surf at the age of 10. Over the next few years, they would share a 9-foot soft top at Cowells—their surfboards gradually decreasing in size until they were teens and their boards a few feet shorter. At 14, with the advice and company of their father giving them the courage, Sierra and Hailey spilled down over the rocks and into the unknown at infamous Steamer Lane. “Think of things as an inconvenience, not as a problem,” their father Rym, a former pro surfer, would tell them. “If you get washed in, just stay calm and cool.”

Spurred on by his patient schooling, the girls took the plunge and never looked back. Little did they know, a few short years later their images would grace advertisements for the likes of O’Neill, Hobie Surfboards, Ocean Minded, Betty Belts, and Gorilla Grip. Now 20, Hailey and Sierra have traveled extensively for both surfing and modeling. They have paddled out in double-overhead waves at world renowned breaks such as Sunset on Oahu, and jetted off to Bali, Mexico and Australia for photo shoots. In between teaching their 10-month-old bulldog Gidget to surf and studying at Cabrillo College, the twins have been featured in both Allure and Vanity Fair magazines.

Such high doses of fame and athletic accomplishment might prove intoxicating for many a 20-year-old, but Hailey and Sierra keep things in perspective by volunteering for various charities. This past July, they spent three weeks volunteering as surf instructors with The O’Neill Surf Academy’s Out of Bounds program in Holland and Belgium. Now in their third year with the program, the O’Neill Team Riders joined forces with 18 other instructors to teach hundreds of visually impaired and blind children ages 8-16 to surf. During this year’s program, Sierra and Hailey coached children such as a 17-year-old Belgian girl who lost her sight due to an allergic reaction to Aspirin at age 5. Born with cataracts, the twins themselves underwent surgery at age 10 to correct their vision, so Out of Bounds is particularly meaningful to them.

“I know how easy it is to feel discouraged when you have vision limitations,” says Sierra, who was born with almost no sight in her right eye and still suffers from cloudy vision in it. “Living with cataracts has been a struggle my whole life, but, in the end, trying to make the most of my situation has made me stronger.”

Hailey, who still makes a point to get out of the water well before dark due to poor night vision, remembers the frustration of not being able to read the white board from the front row of her elementary school class and having to walk right up to it in order to take notes. She was so deeply affected by her experience with cataracts that she formulated her own credo around it: “Your life can seem great or awful depending on how you look at it.”

Breathing life into those words, the twins volunteer for programs through which they teach children facing various physical and economic challenges. In addition to Out of Bounds, the girls donate time and effort to Santa Cruz’s Ride-A-Wave and the East Bali Poverty Project.

Someday, Hailey and Sierra dream of starting a foundation to help families that can’t afford medical care for their children’s vision problems. For the immediate future, the sisters are looking to transfer to UC San Diego in the fall to pursue a degree in communications. While they hope that surf and photo trips will continue, they say they plan to take life as it comes. And, as always, continue to view the cup as half full.

To read more about the Partridge twins and follow their adventures, visit partridgetwins.blogspot.com. Send comments on this article to letters@gtweekly.com or visit goodtimessantacruz.com.