WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - LUCY MATA'UTIA JARRARD
LUCY MATA'UTIA JARRARD
Competitive Surfer
Samoan / French
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My name is Lucy Mata’utia Jarrard. I’m a 19 year old competitive surfer from Carlsbad, California, but currently live in Oahu, Hawaii. In addition to my passion for surfing, I also enjoy activities such as hiking, skating, and sewing. My pacific heritage is Samoan and French. My mother is Samoan while my father is French.
You're the first Samoan female surfer to represent American Samoa Surfing Association - tell us how you got into surfing and how long you've been competing for.
I originally come from a water family, so all of our weekends and days off were spent together at the beach surfing and hanging out. It’s funny though because I actually didn’t even really like the beach. I think I was about three when I first started surfing, but I didn’t start enjoying it until I was about eight. My first contest was a Volcom series at about nine. After this contest, I continued to compete and grow as an individual and as a surfer.
You're hoping to qualify for the Olympics in May - whereabouts is the qualifier being held and what's the criteria to get in? Have you had to compete in other qualifiers?
The qualifier is coming up really fast! The contest is being held in La Bocana and El Sunzal EL Salvador. This is the first qualifier I will be competing in. I have to place first in the Oceania Region to solidify a spot.
What opportunities have opened up for you as a result of your surfing abilities?
Being considered as a potential Olympic competitor is a huge opportunity within itself. This is the first time surfing is being introduced to the Olympics, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent my country and our people through surfing. I hope that by doing this, I am able to inspire other Polynesian girls to get involved in surfing or water sports in general.
What have been some of your most challenging and some of your most rewarding moments in your journey so far.
One of the most challenging moments I have faced was breaking my leg. I actually broke it while I was surfing and after seeing a doctor I was out of the water for about ten weeks. Not being able to train was pretty hard for me because It’s part of my everyday routine, so I just felt like I was falling behind. When I finally got back in the water I was ready to get back to it. I believe that thus far in my journey, my most rewarding moment was getting the opportunity to represent Samoa. Surfing is something I am so passionate about and have worked so hard for, so I am just so grateful that I am able to represent my country with my passion for surfing.
How important do you think it is to bring a Pasifika perspective to what you do?
I believe that bringing Pasifika’s perspective into what I do is extremely important because surfing is a sport of ancient Polynesia. Polynesians are connected to the ocean and have a rooted history in surfing. Surfing was banned in Polynesia hundreds of years ago due to missionaries and their beliefs.
What do you love about being a Pacific Islands woman today?
I love that we represent our culture in our sports, passions, and successes. We are strong women that don’t give up and put our hearts into everything we do. I am so proud to be a woman of the Pacific and hope to be a role model for future girls.
With promising results at her Olympics Qualifier in El Salvador, Lucy will have the opportunity to compete in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
She has a Go Fund Me Page for donations towards Travel Expense, Food & Lodging, Training/Coaching and Surf Equipment.
All donations will be strictly used for surfing purposes.
If you would like to donate from another country, you can donate via Paypal. Lucy's email address is jarrard.lucy@gmail.com
