Anastasia Ashley Interview

Dec 27, 2006

By: Simon

Pro surfer Anastasia Ashley talks about staying on her surfboard, eating veggies, her celebrity crushes and more.

Simon: When did you first start surfing?
Anastasia Ashley: I started surfing when I was five years old, which was just after my family moved to Hawaii. Lots of people I knew there were really into surfing, including one of my friends Jamie O'Brien (also a pro surfer), so I just started as well.

Simon: Was it difficult getting into surfing when you first started?
Anastasia Ashley: It was when I first started because I was one of the only girls that surfed. If I wanted to enter a competition, I'd always have to compete against the boys. But now surfing has really exploded for girls and it's getting easier. There's lots of competitions for girls and way more opportunities.

Simon: Have you ever had any major wipeouts, or nasty encounters with a wave or a shark while you've been surfing?
Anastasia Ashley: Kind of. When I was nine years old, it was just a few days before a competition. I was practicing when a girl on her long board ran over me and sliced my head open with her board. My head was totally bleeding and I had to swim back to shore with my board by myself. I was only nine and I ended up missing the competition.

Simon: I read that you were named one of the sexiest vegetarians by PETA (People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals). What made you decide to become a vegetarian?
Anastasia Ashley: I've always eaten healthy and liked a healthy lifestyle and I'm not that fond of meat anyway. I think vegetarianism is a positive thing and I really like PETA's message.

Simon: What advice would you give to people who are thinking about becoming vegetarian?
Anastasia Ashley: Make sure you have a well-balanced diet and get plenty of protein. Being a vegetarian doesn't mean you can just switch to eating a bunch of junk food and candy.

Simon: Besides eating healthy, what other things do you do to prepare yourself for surfing competitions?
Anastasia Ashley: I kind of have a routine. I always get a massage the day before a competition because I usually get super stressed out and I need to relax. Right before a comp, I don't like to talk to anyone or the media. I just like to relax, watch the waves and listen to tunes in my iPod.