Anastasia Arrives
Between her surfing, modeling and acting, North Shore native Anastasia Ashley recently topped Yahoo’s ‘What’s Trending Now’ ahead of a Kardashian
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selves. If you’re a standout here, you can gain respect. The win was special.”
According to the latest ASP rankings, Ashley is ranked 47th in the world and has earned $2,200 during the 2010 season and $12,900 in prize money during her career. And while she would love to win the world championship someday, she also dreams of winning the Triple Crown title.
Her most important goal is an ongoing effort.
“I want to be a positive role model and set a positive example for kids,” says Ashley, who will turn 24 Feb. 10. “I never really had any girl surfers to look up to when I was young, so I think it’s really cool young girls look up to me. I want to inspire them and help them see their dreams.”
Chasing dreams was something Ashley’s mother always encouraged. Tragically, she lost her battle to Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2008. Ashley still struggles to talk about her loss, but she’s inspired by her mother’s memory to continue to be her own person.
Ashley knows much has changed in women’s professional surfing since she was a child surfing at Haleiwa, and she’s excited about the future for the next generation.
“When I first started surfing there were few amateur girls’ surfing events, so I competed against boys,” she says. “The level of surfing has improved, and the opportunities for women are increasing with more sponsors. I feel very blessed to be a part of that because I want to help set the table for the next generation of girls. When I think about what kind of opportunities are ahead for a 10-year-old surfer, I get excited.”
Some people talk about making a difference, Ashley is a difference-maker. She and dozens of volunteers recently teamed with the Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter, Scott Hawaii and Airwalk Shoes to remove trash from Sunset Beach to Pipeline.
“When I see an organization like Surfrider Foundation do something I believe in, it makes me want to be involved,” says Ashley. “They bring awareness to protecting the beaches, keeping them clean and preserving them. If everyone picked up their own trash, it would make a world of difference. Every piece counts.”
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One of Ashley’s many sponsors, Airwalk, gave away T-shirts and shoes to the first 30 volunteers at the end of the cleanup. She says Airwalk went one step further.
“For every shoe someone buys, Air Walk and Payless will donate a shoe to a needy child in Central America,” says Ashley. “It’s called the Good Shoe Project and it’s just another example that we can all do more.”
Besides Air Walk, Ashley is currently sponsored by Bazi (a new energy drink), Rusty Surfboards, OAM surf accessories and Jose Cuervo. Her previous sponsors include OP, Oakley, Infinity Surfboards, Kicker Audio and PowerBar.
And while Ashley has always considered herself a surfer first, she is well aware that modeling has opened many doors. She’s also aware that not all of her peers are enthusiastic about her worldwide fame and endless opportunities. But that’s something she cannot control and spends little energy worrying about.
“Modeling is not my No. 1 priority, but if there’s an opportunity I’m going to take it,” she says confidently. “I’m open to new opportunities and if it makes sense to me, I’ll try it. I want to explore different stuff.”
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And that includes fashion. If her professional career isn’t busy enough, Ashley hopes to develop her own clothing and shoe line one day.
“That’s something I definitely want to do, especially designing shoes,” she says with excitement. “I love being involved in the creative process and expressing myself that way. I take stuff from Hawaii and California because both homes have different personalities, cultures and street influence.”
Professional surfer, model, fashion designer and community leader, Anastasia Ashley wears many hats and she wears them well. Her decorated career has allowed her to travel the world and visit some of the most exotic places on earth.
But despite her long list of achievements and mind-boggling success, there’s one simple thing this North Shore girl still craves.
“A nice plate lunch from L&L Barbecue,” laughs Ashley. “A barbecue chicken plate with extra macaroni salad, that’s the best part!”
Proving you can take the local girl out of Hawaii but you can’t take Hawaii out of the local girl. And that’s one list she always wants to be a part of.
“In Hawaii it’s all about respect, and that’s what’s important to me,” she says. “Hawaii will always be special to me.”
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