KL:
Having already had so much competitive success
and received so much exposure, how do you keep
motivated?
AA: To be honest, that’s
one thing I’ve struggled with. Recently
I’ve moved past that, but starting out younger
I always had goals and wanted to do really good
in contests. I worked so hard, surfed hours on
end, I had that motivation. Then in 2003, 2004,
I had been doing contests every year, weekend
after weekend, I won nationals and wanted to become
a professional. But at the same time I felt I
was too young. I still wanted to experience being
a teenager, and I was kind of burnt-out. So my
senior year I took off from competing, did only
one competition, and didn't do very well. It took
that time and bad contest result to get the drive
back. Also, seeing all the girls surfing so good
makes me want to push myself to that level. I've
recently realized how to keep motivated is to
not compare yourself to other people, but just
compare yourself to yourself.
KL:
Goals for 2007?
AA: I'm gonna be surfing
on the WQS tour, my first full year doing it.
I really want to buckle down and do well and hopefully
finish rated high and qualify for the WCT if all
goes to plan. That's been a plan of mine for a
while, but I took a year and a half off from competing
and now I'm ready.
KL:
What music gets you amped lately?
AA: I love music. Anything
from rap, hip hop, R&B, pop, old skool, rock,
more specifically I like Gwen Stefani, Fergie,
She Wants Revenge, this new band called One Republic
is really good too. The Shins, The Shy's, i have
a huge range of music. Madonna of course.
KL:
What is one thing you'd like the surfing world
to know about Anastasia Ashley?
AA: Good question…that
I'm really focused and lead a clean life. I don't
do drugs or drink, and I really promote others
to lead a clean lifestyle. And I'm dedicated.
KL:
True or False - Progress is the root of all evil?
AA: No, false.
KL:
Money talks...
AA: True and false.
KL:
Sex sells...
AA: False.
KL:
You sure?
AA: Some things it does,
some things it doesn't.
KL:
Less is more?
AA: True.
KL:
Only boring people get bored...
AA: Um, no, false. I get
bored.
KL:
Do you think posing in publications such as FHM,
Femme Fatales, Askmen.com etc. ever sends the
wrong message to young girls?
AA: No, I don't. 'Cause
anytime I'm posing in one of the men's magazines,
I'm promoting the fact that I'm a surfer, and
I'm young and I have won accolades. And I think
if I was a young girl and I saw someone in sports
being promoted for being attractive and acclaimed,
I think it would help. If you look at like Jessica
Simpson and Paris Hilton, they're all very sexy
women, but they are all very successful in what
they do. I think ultimately that is what young
girls can look up to – determination and
success.
Anastasia Ashley
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