Ashley a national kiteboarding champ – Bega District News

Posted On: March 4, 2020

sport, local-sport,

Ashley Brunette has claimed dual national kite surfing titles. Contesting the Australian Kiteboarding Wave Nationals at Point Danger in Torquay last weekend, Ashley trumped some stiff competition to become both the junior and open women’s national champion. The result provides back-to-back wins in the junior division after the 16-year-old already claimed the crown at the end of 2018. Proud Dad Glenn said it was an incredible result and praised his daughter. “She’s done incredibly well and I’m so proud of her,” he beamed. The result also follows a strong showing at the Merimbula Classic where Glenn said Ashley had finished just behind Perry Roberts who is one of the world’s top ranked kite surfers. Officials said it had been challenging conditions and praised Ashley’s efforts who contested back-to-back heats across both age divisions. “She had the most heats out of all the competitors, including the junior boys, she came fourth in the boys sections as well which was an amazing result with very stiff competition,” Glenn said. Waters at danger point were reaching low tide with the reef an ever present threat as surfers had to navigate lighter winds and modest swells. Glenn said Ashley had shown good agility and been nimble on the waves to clean up the result in the final heat against the Victorian title holder Louise Bieniara. “Ashley had an amazing final heat, she was coming second to Louise in the semi-finals, but stepped up her performance catching at least six good-sized waves and riding them with good manoeuvres through to the inshore.” Ashley was left with a nervous wait for the final tally, but her name was called during the presentation dinner at the Torquay Boardriders Club where she was announced as first in both classes. Glenn said Ashley was an avid surfer and regularly enjoyed testing her skills in all conditions, so he treated her to a surfing trip in 2019 to Lakey Peak in Indonesia where she got to grips with four metre swells. “She excelled in that and it’s been reflected in her results at Torquay.” he said. Even at 16 Ashley’s ability has been noticed and she now has support from Raging Bull Surf out of Merimbula, while Duotone Australia are also backing her development. Ashley will now look to contest the anniversary edition of the Merimbula Classic when it turns 40 later this year, while she has dreams to pursue a spot in internationals and become a World Champion. Glenn said Ashley was still young and had plenty of experiences to gain on the water, but would support her efforts and said she was well on her way to pursuing a shot in international contests.

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/Xn3KP2xbyFBWgTmsCMnW6P/cb5ad3df-d0e7-4fd0-9211-8235f84e2468.JPG/r0_14_1589_912_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg