"Queen for a Duke," Ed Chilcott's interview with Blanche Benson, was published in the program for the 1971 United States Surfing Championships. Benson competed in the event, and was also selected as the event Queen. This version has been slightly edited

I just got home from Kauai this morning in order to make it in time to surf in the Hawaii State Championships, at Ala Moana. I surfed already, and qualified for the finals tomorrow morning - surf permitting. So today has already been pretty busy! But I’ll still answer all your questions as best as I can. 

Three-and-a-half years. In August of ‘67 my dad got orders for Hawaii so rather reluctantly we left our home in Texas and came here. We were here only two days before I was on a surfboard. One year from that, I entered my first contest.

Could you describe briefly your achievements as a surfer?

Well, in December 1968 I entered the Makaha Championships with my tandem partner Leroy Ah Choy, and we took first Place. In the ‘69 Makaha Internationals I won the tandem again, with Bob Moore, and also surfed in the women's division. Tandem riding is a beautiful form of surfing and I consider myself very fortunate to be small enough to do it—I love it! As for the women's division, I enjoy doing it mainly because I get to meet lots of people and go lots of places. But the competitive scene can sometimes really get a person down - people always trying to outdo each other, and at times people expect so much of you. If you don't succeed, you feel really down. Anyway, my surfing as an individual really began to progress after winning the 1969 Hawaii Junior Championships, and then again in '70. Surfing in every contest throughout the year, I have learned a lot - placing somewhere in the finals of most of them.

I’m a freshman as Leeward College, where I'm picking up all the basic courses needed for an Education Degree. In two years I will transfer to BYU, which is located only 15 minutes from the North Shore. My intentions are to major in physical education and to continue surfing. Hopefully, someday I can be a PE teacher at one of the schools near home.

Right now I'm a lifeguard and swimming instructor at the Schofield Officer’s Pool.

That's right, you dad’s in the service, isn’t he?

Yes, I’m an Army brat. I was born in Japan when my folks were stationed there. In fact, if not for my dad I might never have come to Hawaii and would never have surfed.

Then it seems you’ve enjoyed the Army life.

Traveling and meeting people are my two favorite things - next to you-know-what, of course 

Okay, now let’s ask some questions that will come from the woman’s side. Being the Queen of the United States Surfing Championships, you must have some feminine comments to make concerning surfing.

Okay. Although surfing is mainly a male sport, I believe that females are just as capable of enjoying the beauty of the sea and just as determined to get out there and surf. Being a girl and in the minority, some guys really try to take advantage of me in the water. So what I must do is prove to those people that I’m worthy of getting my share of waves.

Does your philosophy of life have a lot to do with surfing?

Yes, I think that life is what you make it! To me - it’s beautiful! However, world conditions are getting worse instead of better - so I believe in enjoying life while I can and am really thankful for what our Creator has done for us. Material things don’t mean nearly as much to me as the beauty of the ocean, the mountains and nature.

What about your family? What role do they play in your surfing?

I love my family. My parents are so understanding, but maybe that’s because they are so interested and involved in the same things we are. My parents are just as stoked on surfing as I am. My father is a surf photographer. I have a younger sister who’s one of my toughest competitors, and my 10-year old brother impresses me a lot. I also have a 20-year old brother just as involved in the surfing world as we are, so you see I can’t help but love surfing, my whole family does.

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