Director Elect Countess (Connie) Decosta

submitted by Lissa Pinion

On June 1, 2010, the Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) will elect three new Directors to fill the seats of three departing Directors who have fulfilled their 6 month terms. Although only three candidates stepped forward with their intent to run for the three soon to be open seats, the election will still be held per the SLSA constitution. SurfWatch is conducting in-depth interviews in order for the members of the SLSA to better know the new Directors who will be representing them. We will not begin posting the interviews until all of the candidates wishing to participate have turned them in. As this is a voluntary process for the benefit of the group as a whole, SurfWatch will note if a candidate wishes to decline the interview when the interviews are posted.

Director Elect: Countess Decosta ( known as Connie)

SurfWatch: You are currently ranked 48 for last season's SLSA surf rankings, and you've been SL surfing for more than 3 years. We understand you have announced your intent to run for SLSA Director this term. What qualifications, skills, competencies, traits, etc. would you bring as a director and why are you running?

Connie Decosta: Im currently ranked out there someplace but surfing is what you make it. Friends, good times and having laughs. It's not about winning or who's better or rankings. I believe everyone is ranked number one. My real life as I grew up in the water on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. My first board at the age of 10 and seeing this gaint wave powering down on me. My first wipeout at 10, I still remember. 40 yrs on (laughs). Never give up I say.  Pick that board up and head out again and conquer that wave. And I did. Spent over 10 years in the surfing scene, Iron Women circuit, and love the feel of the salt air and the ocean beneath me. I couldn't think of a day I haven't been around it. SL surfing rocks. I came across it one day at Surf City and met a bunch of cool surfer dudes who said hell yeah, there's surfing in SL.  I thought, OMG, what a buzz.  I grabbed my first SL board and ran straight out into the surf not knowing how to ride the board.  NO FEAR (laughs).  I love it.. The fact that a community can come together and hang and surf with friends is all good in my book. My reason for running as a director is one of pure and total love for surfing. My love to have fun and enjoy surfing, I hope can only pass on and help others to enjoy it as I always have. Wanting to do my part and hopefully help anyone that is looking to surf and join our surfing family.

SW: What areas of improvement do you currently see for the SLSA as an organization?

CD: Including all time zones and year round comps for those in other parts of the world to enjoy. Off season comps for those who love to surf

SW: What do you see as the top issues facing SL surfing in general, and what would be your first priority as an SLSA director?

CD: Grabbing a wave and surfing. But seriously, mmmm, bringing people together and enjoying surfing for what surfing is about. Having fun and not caring who wins or loses.  Everyone is a winnner in my eyes for having surfed in SL.

SW: What areas of improvement do you currently see for the SLSA as an organization?

CD: To bring people together with smiles.

SW: What do you see as the top issues facing SL surfing in general, and what would be your first priority as an SLSA director?

CD: To listen to the Surfers.

SW: Why are you the best candidate for this job?

CD: Cause just cause.

SW: What were you most satisfied with as an SLSA member last season?

CD: PARTIESssss.

SW: What were you most dissatisfied with?

CD: Unable to prefect that perfect wipeout.

SW: Anything else you would like voters to know about you?

CD: If nothing else works "TALK TO THE HAND"

Give us a brief statement or opinion on some of the major issues the SLSA faced in 2010 and possible issues moving into Season 2 (listed below):

1. Were you concerned with the low number of competitors signed up for the SLSA R1 May 15 Tai competition, and what do you foresee for the future of the two-round, two-weekend SLSA competition format?

CD: Yes. I have felt the numbers dropping but the love of my life (Yendor Destiny) and friends around me have kept me as surfing. As I have sat back and watched people leaving for whatever reasons good/bad or ugly, at the end of the day my motto is "DON'T OPEN YOUR MOUTH UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING NICE TO SAY".  I'm not coming onto this Board to automatically change things. There are formats in place and already this season is under way. So what we need to do is ask the surfers and listen to what they want and maybe introduce something new in the seasons to come.

2. Do you have any concerns or opinions on competitors also working as officials during the same comp?

CD: YES.  While I am Director, I WILL NOT SURF.

3. Should SLSA HOF members be required to be SLSA members?

CD:  Why not, I say.

4. Should alts be prohibited from entering competitions as "new" and upcoming surfers?

CD: (laughs) Who cares really if people have to change names ???? HOW do you stop it really?

5. With the lack of available full sims to host SLSA surf comps, should we rely more heavily on the SLSA sim? What other activities should the SLSA sim be used for?

CD: Why not, I ask again?  But we need to look out for NEW sims opening up and getting them involved. SLSA could be involved in any projects SL has going.   If anyone sees an SL project happening and thinks the surfing world could join in LET US KNOW.

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