Alumni Spotlight - Vanessa Janss '99
Monday, February 01, 2010
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Posted by: Hallie Preston
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT – VANESSA JANSS '99
 Vanessa Janss '99 and her husband Brett Menke created a movie in 2009 entitled {close to home}. It is a story of two regular people doing what every surfer dreams – taking a year and traveling to as many places as possible to find great waves! Vanessa studied studio art and biology during her undergraduate years at UC San Diego before going on to complete her MFA at UC Santa Barbara.
Following their marriage in 2007, Vanessa and Brett took a year long surf trip to the Maldives, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and South & West Australia. The first thing they noticed was plastic (mainly bottles) all over these beautiful beaches. Luckily, they happened to bring a video camera with them on their trip.
From then on, their surf adventure took on new meaning, and Vanessa and Brett began observing the environmental practices of all the places visited. Some were good – some not so good.
In the end, after scoring epic waves, getting lost, getting injured, and generally having the time of their lives, Vanessa and Brett compiled what they had seen and learned into a video, {close the home}. 50% of all profits from this movie will directly benefit Surfrider Foundation's Rise Above Plastics campaign.
When did you first begin surfing?
I actually started surfing at Cate! We had surfing as a sports option and headed down to Rincon three days a week in the spring. It completely changed what I did with my life. It's influenced where I went to school (by the coast at UCSD and UCSB), what I did (I taught surf lessons through college), who my friends are, etc. I ended up going on to get my Masters in Fine arts with surf culture being a huge influence in my artwork. In fact, I was recently honored to be included in a book and traveling art show called Surf Story Project (www.surfstoryproject.com) that includes "88 of the most inspirational and creative surfers in the world" with people like John Severson, Gerry Lopez, and Sandow Birk. Most recently, I helped make {close to home} as a way to learn about film making and share my interest in the environment. Now that we're finished, I've finally learned enough about film and film editing to start the project. So that's what we're doing - making another one!
Did you learn anything new about yourself as you traveled and surfed all over the world?
Surfing has spurred me to travel to a lot of places I wouldn't normally have visited. In the process, I've met many different people and cultures that have influenced how I view my place the world. Also, traveling for surf has put me in intense physical situations as well - camping in the most incredible desert heat in summer on the Nullabor in South Australia, bouncing face first onto the coral reef at the Mentawai Islands 12 hours off the coast of West Sumatra in Indonesia, surfing in 8 C degree water under a snow-capped mountain in South Island New Zealand. Situations like that make you remember you're alive.
What is your favorite memory of Cate?
I have too many memories at Cate to single one out! Looking back, I guess one of my favorite ones was our American Wilderness (I think that was what it was called!) class where we got to read Muir and Thoreau, go on solo camps, and even a week long kayaking trip down the San Juan right before graduation. It really helped cement my interest in the outdoors and introduce me to the literature associated with it. That, and of course all my friendships that came from that time that I still have today. You can learn more about Vanessa on her website (www.vanessajanss.com) or on the movie's website (www.closetohomemovie.org).
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