Girl On Update: Anastasia Ashley
Oct 10 2007 / Los Angeles, CA
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Find out how 2007 has been for Anastasia and what she has coming up.
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Lat34: You missed the East Coast Surfing Championships because you weren't feeling well...
Anastasia: Yeah, unfortunately I got really sick after my trip to England... It was pretty bad.
Lat34: I'm glad you're feeling better. Before that, how was 2007 for you?
Anastasia: It's been good. I've been traveling a lot, having a good time. Getting some good waves.
Lat34: You have been on the WQS full-time this season. How has that been?
Anastasia: I'd say this year I did alright. I've been, I believe, improving a lot. I started working with my coach over the past four months and that's really helped a lot.
Overall I'd say this year is kind of an experience in getting to know how to travel and compete in other countries which is a lot different. So next year is, I think, is going to be my year for good results. I'm working a lot harder than I was going into it this time last year so hopefully it should be good.
Lat34: What was your strangest travel experience?
Anastasia: I had a few. For example, I went to England, where the contest was about a five-hour train ride from London. I got into London and rushed to get on the train because I came in kind of last minute -- the day before the contest -- and there was only one train leaving London to get to where the contest was at that time, otherwise I'd miss the contest or have to get a taxi. So I get there and get on the train. Everyone was really nice and they tell me "Oh, okay, you just go here and switch trains."
I get to the next train station and someone says "No, no, no -- you don't go on this train. Go on this other train." So I end up sitting there and I see the train go by that I was told originally that I was supposed to be on. Of course, when I get on the next train, someone else is like "No..."
It was kind of a nightmare. Thank God the people at the train station ended up getting a taxi for me because it was their fault.
Because I'm only 20, I can't rent a car. Next year after I turn 21 a lot of things will be easier for me.
Lat34: True. And of course in the US it means you can drink.
Anastasia: I don't even care about drinking. If I had a choice to be able to rent cars everywhere or drink, I'd say rent cars. I've thought about showing a fake ID (to rent cars) but you could get in trouble... I've never done it.
Lat34: Are there any places you'd like to visit that you haven't been to?
Anastasia: Next year, in between some of the contests in Australia, I'm going to go to Indonesia and Bali and Fiji and all the beautiful nice countries that are close to there. That's one place I've really wanted to go. I've had opportunities to go in the past, but I've had bad timing and for some reason it didn't end up working out.
Lat34: I see you recently signed with Airwalk and have some new ads?
Anastasia: They did a crazy huge shoot... They had an idea to do three days: one day at the beach, for surf, then one day snowboarding.and we went up to Big Bear. And one day skateboarding which we did in Downtown LA, which was really fun.
The day we went snowboarding I wanted to try and get some good photos and I ended up getting kind of hurt.
Lat34: So no chance of you doing snowboarding along with surfing like a double career?
Anastasia: No... I think I would if I was better at snowboarding. I can snowboard but I'm not at the level where I can compete professionally unless I started training hard. But I would never cross it out because I like snowboarding a lot. So who knows... Watch out!
Lat34: It's not any easier with Surfing pretty much being a year-round sport
Anastasia: Yeah, plus the thing is I would have to move. I've thought about it before. I know I'd have to move to Colorado or Mammoth -- somewhere they have really good snow. I don't know if I could handle that for months at a time. But you never know.
Lat34: Is part of the the reason you like snowboarding because along with surfing, it's one of the sports where women rank right up there with the guys? Or do you just like to do it.
Anastasia: I definitely do it because I like it but there are so many great snowboarding women which has helped the sport and made it interesting to watch. It's cool that they're right up there with the guys and I think that's where women's surfing is going.
Lat34: Who are some of your favorite snowboarders?
Anastasia: Hannah Teter -- she's a really great snowboarder. Molly Aguirre, Tara Dakides. They're all really good.
Lat34: So you are going to be Hawaii next month for the last WQS event?
Anastasia: Yeah, definitely. That's the one I'm training for right now. I was actually going to book my ticket to Hawaii today. I'm very excited for that one because I haven't competed in Hawaii in years. The last couple of years I didn't do that contest so hopefully the waves are good and I can get out there and finish the year and get a really good result. That's what I'm looking for.Lat34: Do you have any other plans for the rest of the year?
Anastasia: I'm going to be training for that contest and next year's contests and then after that probably going to head over to Australia in early January to surf some good Snapper. Besides that, nothing I can think about that right now.
Lat34: What are some of your favorite sports to surf?
Anastasia: Definitely Biarritz, France, is really pretty. I went there a couple of years ago with Holly Beck. It was really, really pretty there. The waves and the beach were really gorgeous.
I really like surfing at Ehukai Beach Parkin Hawaii on the North Shore. During the summer I really like surfing at a place in San Clemente called Riviera.
Lat34: And who are your current sponsors?
Anastasia: Airwalk, AmazingTaste.com, Infinity Surfboards, Oakley, Power Bar and OAM
- Greg Baerg
