SIX-year old Corlette surfing sensation Phenix Ashby-Shaw has taken the Port Stephens boardriding scene by storm.
After picking up his first surfboard five months ago, the Year One St Phillip’s Christian College student at Salamander Bay has produced some phenomenal performances in the water to make keen judges sit up and take notice.
Phenix, who is coached by Anna Bay’s national Under 18 surfing champion Eden Hasson, demonstrated his natural ability recently when he won the Bay Area Boardriders Longboard Boys Under 12s title.
It was a tremendous achievement by the diminutive schoolboy athlete who has taken to competition surfing like a duck to water.
Cool-headed Phenix also finished runner-up in the Under 9s division where he outpointed more experienced young surfers with his daredevil style.
A dedicated surfer, he trains three days a week with Hasson at One Mile Beach and is also a star pupil at the Port Stephens Surf School.
Hasson, who competes professionally in the World Surf League Men’s Qualifying series, told News Of The Area that tutoring a whiz kid rookie like Ashby-Shaw was a “pleasurable task.”
“Phenix is an exceptional talent for a six-year-old and shows so much potential,” he said.
“He is super keen to learn and displays incredible courage and skill in the water against the elements and pitting himself against much older and physically stronger opponents.
“More importantly Phenix has so much fun in the surf and simply enjoys competing against all comers and learning his craft.
“I believe he has a bright future.”
Not only does Phenix excel in the surf but he also shows ability as a soccer player with the Tilligerry Titans Football Club and in the local AFL Junior Development nursery.
The Bay Area Boardriders run friendly surfing competitions on a monthly basis at either One Mile, Samurai or Birubi Beaches.
There are various divisions; Junior Boys and Girls, Grommets, Open Men and Women, Over 28s, Over 40s plus Masters Over 50s.
By Chris KARAS
