By all outward appearances, Lakey Peterson is your typical 15-year-old girl, balancing school time with play, hanging with friends, and wondering what the future may hold. But hidden behind the bleach blonde hair, the painted nails, and the big teenage grin, lies the heart of a dedicated champion who is dominating women’s surfing, and unleashing performances that make her male counterparts take notice as well.
Peterson successfully defended her Women’s Open title at the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) National Championship on July 3. When her victory at last year’s event came out of the deep blue, she boldly advertised her desire to defend her title this year.
Mission accomplished.
“I was so excited to win again this year,” she said in an interview with The Daily Caller. “I felt a little bit more pressure this year because I won the year before, and I wanted to repeat that, but I always have to remember that it’s all for fun.”
Fun, yes, but this year’s victory was not without controversy, as runner-up Nage Melamed was tagged with an interference call in the waning seconds of the competition, giving Peterson the lead. Lakey expressed her admiration for Melamed’s solid effort, but ultimately chalked the tough call up to being a part of the sport.
“Everyone surfed really well in the final. I feel for Nage, she is an amazing surfer and she surfed incredibly the whole contest,” she said.
Lakey sympathized, “At the end of the day, I gave her a big hug and said how sorry I felt. She has a very bright future ahead of her.”
While the back-to-back championships establish Lakey as a consistent force to be reckoned with, her performance at last year’s championship may have put her on the map as a legitimate star. On the final day, she pulled off a front air maneuver that had never been completed in women’s surfing, and earned herself two ‘most outstanding performance’ awards to go with her title. The move made a deep impression on her peers. It was also historic, according to Janice Aragon, Executive Director of the NSSA.
“It will go down in history as one of the most spectacular maneuvers ever witnessed at the National Championships,” Aragon noted at the time. “Every year at the NSSA Nationals, amazing things happen, and 2009 was Lakey’s year! Her incredible aerial in the Open Women’s final just blew everyone’s mind on the beach.”
Peterson was just as excited, saying, “I have always strived to push the limits of women’s surfing, so I was stoked to do that air. Ever since then, I have seen so many more girls trying them.”
The fact that others are emulating Lakey’s moves in the sport must be particularly exciting for a girl who’s goal is to inspire people.
“I would like to lead mostly by example because actions speak louder than words,” she said. “I hope that people will see what I have been able to achieve in my life, and the hard work it has taken to do so. I hope people are inspired to be the best at whatever it is they desire.”
So just what is it that inspires her? In a world frequently drawing inspiration from so-called role model athletes, Hollywood starlets, or out-of-control rock stars, Lakey derives strength from her roots – family and faith.
On her website, Lakey lists the Bible as one of her favorite books. But how big of a role does religion play in the life of the teenage surfing phenom?
“My faith plays a big part in my life,” she reflected. “It really helps me keep things in perspective and realize that it’s not all about me. I think there is a lot bigger reason for all of this, and I feel surfing is a gift that I have been given.”
Her family has played quite an extensive role in her life as well, from introducing her to the sport, to providing support, guidance, and even athletic experience.
“My sister Whitney and brother Parker have always been there to push and support me no matter what I am doing,” she said thankfully.
Lakey’s mother, a one time record breaking Olympic swimmer, provides the competitive experience. With that kind of resume, though, does Lakey feel pressure to live up to her accomplishments?
“No! She really is not all that,” she said laughing. “But I love you mom!”
Perhaps nowhere can the pressure be felt more than in following in the culinary footsteps of her late grandfather, Herb Peterson, inventor of the Egg McMuffin. It’s a little known bit of trivia for the Peterson family.
“It’s a fun fact to hit people with,” she jokes. “That’s for sure!”
It’s not all fun and games for Lakey though. Such is the life of a competitive surfer — especially a teenage competitive surfer. The training is intensive, and she must strike a balance with her love of the surf, and the rigors of school.
A typical day starts out with nearly two hours of training in the gym, followed by her schooling, and quickly followed by practice “wherever there are waves.” After a little break with her friends, she hits the waves in front of her house one more time before dinner.
While it is an exhausting schedule, and the competitions do take her away from family, Lakey has few complaints.
“I just try to look at the positive. I’m traveling the world and surfing perfect waves with all my friends, so it can’t be all that bad,” she said.
It can’t be all that bad, when you’re simply this good.
Rusty is a political writer for NewsBusters.org, and has appeared in the American Thinker, The Daily Caller, and FoxNews.com. He welcomes feedback at rustyweiss@verizon.net.