Ash Bryant grew up surfing on the gold coast with mates like Corey Mclean and Joe Clarke. Constantly pushing each other their surfing evolved together as they each focused on their own individual style and technique. The lads may not realize, but they have paved the way for Groms on the rise such as Tom Rigby and BBS Team Rider Thorpe Waluew. Ash surfs amazing, his coverage in the latest Riptide was well deserved as he surfs better every day. Having some pretty good contest results under his belt Ash is focused and determined. A credit to the team we caught up with Ash to chat about the Aussie Tour, Samoa, Gambling and the future.
Ash and a stylish air forward in Samoa
So Ash you did quite well on the Aussie tour last year, after watching you at the Pro Event at Dbah recently it is clear your surfing has improved a lot. You seem to be surfing clean and busting big. What drives you to compete and improve your surfing every year?
I feel it’s hard not to keep improving in a place like the Goldy. Even with the general lack of waves compared to other places, the standard of surfing is constantly being raised, and it’s a simple case of surf well or be left behind!
I get driven to compete and improve by watching others succeed. I feel that if they can do it, so can I. Anything is possible if you work hard for it.
Your recent trip to Samoa saw you get some awesome shots published in Riptide. How was the trip mate?
Yeah it was an amazing trip. The waves there are so good over there and really consistent. We scored basically pumping waves every day. It was almost to the point that we wanted it to go crap for a day or so, just so we could have a rest. I don’t think my muscles have ever hurt so much from surfing. It was crazy!!
What are your travel plans for this year?
I am really keen to do the European part of the world tour this year if possible. Other than that, i’m going to do Bali in July then just watch the charts and jump on any swell that I can. Especially around Aus.
It is clear your love for the boog is stronger than ever. What else do you like to do with your time?
I love anything that is creative. Photography, Architecture, Arts, Fashion etc.
If you could go anywhere in the world for a month, with whoever you want to, who and where would you choose and why?
I would get a massive super yacht, decked out with all the gadgets, all the top riders in the world, my mates and my family. We would then drive from Aus to Hawaii, stopping at all the pacific islands and little atolls we could find. The spots you would find would be endless and having the world’s best riders there with you, your surfing would improve everyday!!!
So you work at the casino as a VIP Host. Is it a sweet job? Do you get tossed a few chips here and there from the high rollers or is it more watching the same lonely old men blow their money?
Haha. Yeah it’s a pretty sweet job. Unfortunately, I can’t accept tips cause i’m licensed which kind of sucks, but you get to meet a lot of people as well, a lot of celebrities, business icons, internationals etc. which is a good experience. It’s not all glitz and glamour though because I also have to look after your everyday Aussie Joe blows which can sometimes get quite demanding. But yeah, there are definitely a lot of people out there with way too much money!!
We are stoked to have you on our team, who else do you get love from? Is there anything in the pipeline in regards to board models, sections on upcoming vids or any other goss you can fill us all in on?
At the moment I ride for Science, IAMNONE, Gyroll & BBS!!!!
Unfortunately, I don’t have a board model at the moment but hopefully it’s not far off. (Kids feel free to call science and demand an ash bryant model…haha) but yeah, i think i have a rider profile in the full collector’s edition of ThrashD released soon and also in the new Children of the Foam Movie release date TBA. I have a few other things in the pipeline so stay tuned to BBS.com.au for more goss.
If you won a million dollars tonight. How would you spend it?
I would probably set myself up. House, Car etc. then the rest I would put towards some time off and just travel around surfing wherever the waves are.
Let’s get deep for a bit. What are your views on the world in general? You know. Politics, global warming, the state of the planet in general etc.
Haha…ok. Ummm, I consider myself a pretty easy going guy, I try to live life as it comes and not get hung up on the small crap. I’m not very political so i don’t really bother with that stuff, but I definitely consider global warming a major crisis for the earth. At the rate we keep destroying our planet, we will have nothing left very soon. I know i sound like abit of a ‘spirro’ but I honestly think that this is a major crisis that everybody needs to recognize.
If a kid from the gold coast wanted to see Ash Bryant surfing amazingly where might he find you? Do you have a ‘local’ or do you surf wherever you want?
Currently my local is Palm Beach or Dbah but i can be found anywhere round the coast. Wherever the waves are best!!!
Where do you see yourself in ten years time mate?
Ummm….best case scenario i think would be to be making a good enough wage from bodyboarding so i can provide for myself and my family. What better way to make a living then by doing something you truly love and are going to do anyway.
Any last words???
If you truly want something in life, don’t wait for it to come to you. Stay true, stay focused and chase that sucker down!!!
Thanks a lot for your time Ash.
Interview by Stevie Lloyd.
