Interview with Anastasia Ashley

Posted on March 8th, 2010 by JZ

In our constant quest to bring you guys, our readers, the very best stuff, we recently asked Anastasia Ashley a handful of questions for an exclusive SURFBANG interview. Anastasia was the 2003 ASP Triple Crown Rookie of the year and these days she’s busy free surfing, filming movies, designing her own line of shoes and just hanging out with her friends. Check out the interview and some excellent pics of Anastasia after the jump.

SURFBANG: Tell us a little about your self. How did you get into surfing and at what age?
Anastasia Ashley: I got into surfing right before I moved to Hawaii at age 5. I always swam, and was in the water boogie boarding at age 2.

SB: What surfers dd you look up to while growing up? Who are your favorites now?
AA: Pretty much Kelly Slater, I still peg him as one of my favorites, as well as one of my good friends, Jamie O’Brien. He was like my older brother growing up, and I’ve always looked up to him. He is really one of the only guys who is pushing the “free surfing” movement, and is following the swells around the world getting the best waves, and doing some of the best moves.

SB: Who’s been pumping out of your iPod the most these days?
AA: Oh man, my iPod has been digging Empire of the Sun, The Presets, Fever Ray, Lady Gaga, all that other trendy stuff.

SB: Top 3 favorite spots in the world to surf, what are they?
AA: Backdoor, because how steep the wave is and the barrel is perfect.Keramas in Bali, because it is another steep wave, and super playful. And Riviera, I know its not Backdoor, or Keramas, but for California it’s a pretty good beach break, and get its a good sandbar sometimes.

SB: How do you spend your time when you aren’t surfing or modeling?
AA: Well, shopping and hanging out with friends. I like to take photos sometimes too…

SB: Do you have a problem with some people thinking of you as a sex symbol before thinking of you as a surfer?
AA: Definitely, surfing is such a sexual sport. It’s most comfortable being in a bikini when you surf.

SB: Do you have any big things lined up for the future?
AA: I am currently designing my signature shoe collections with Airwalk and working on my part for the WHOISJOB movie, maybe doing my own..

SB: How many boards are in your quiver right now and which ones do you ride the most?
AA: Yeah, I have actually the biggest quiver I’ve had in years. I have 8 boards, ranging from my short board which measures at 5’8 x 17 1/2 x 2. That is my favorite one. I also got a bunch of new Rusty boards, shaped by Rusty, who I’ve been working with. He really is a great guy, and knows how to make great boards. I have a 6’0, which is a step up for me in Hawaii, that is one of my favorite boards too.

SB: How many times per day would you say you visit SURFBANG.com?
AA: Too much.

SB: The twitter scene has blown up recently. You seem to be having fun on it along with a lot of other pros. What do you think of the twitter takeover?
AA: Twitter take over, its great. I like it because it allows people to be interactive with me. It gets hard though, I sometimes want to filter myself, because of my young fans. They it as a my “diary”, which is weird because really its my twitter not my “diary”.

SB: Any last words for the SURFBANG readers?
AA: Visit SURFBANG.com, and also visit my site AnastasiaAshley.com.

SB: Last one, will you marry me?
AA: haha…as you know, I’m taken

Special thanks to Anastasia for answering our questions and sending over the awesome pics below. Make sure to check out her website and go follow her on Twitter @AnastasiaAshley.

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