Surfer Profile: Anthony Tashnick

Highlights:
Youngest surfer to be invited to the Mavericks Big Wave Contest, 19 yearsold, 2004, fourth place finalist. First place Mavericks 2005, 20 years old.

 If you take away his thick Californian drawl, Tazzy could quite easily be a South African. He gelled with the local crew so easily on previous trips, he fitted into the groove out in the lineup without any problems, and he made friends wherever he went. Unlike many famous surfers, Anthony is even more friendly in foreign climes or on his doorstep, welcoming and greeting all his ‘bru’s wherever he is in the world. whether he is on the beach at Waimea for the opening function of the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational, or in the carpark at the Hout Bay Harbour, Anthony is a friendly kind of guy.
He has been surfing big Mavericks since he was 16, and was soon noticed by the big wave regulars. Guys like Darryl ‘Flea’ Virostko and Peter Mel started pushing him into bigger waves more gnarly conditions, and as the conditions got more heavy, so did Tashnick stand up to the plate.
It might even have been a point of regret when the local chargers realised that he was getting very good in the water, and went on to surpass them in the 2005 Mavericks Big Wave Contest, beating stars like Peter Mel, Brock Little, Matt Ambrose and even Greg Long into second place.
“I was lucky out there,” said a stoked and reticent Tashnick. “On a different day it might have been a different scenario.”
This is the young Californians third trip to South Africa and third time into the Red Bull Big Wave Africa. His gung-ho attitude is exactly what is needed out there in the shifting peaks, and his fearlessness could be the deadly combination that is needed to push him to another win. He has stated that he wants a win, that he wants to do well in South Africa, but so do all the invitees. The question remains as to whether he will step up when the time comes.
Anthony comes in at such a young age that he has time on his hands, and as he evolves and gains more and more experience in the big surf he could quite easily become one of the top, if not the very best, big wave surfer in the world. he will first need to overcome the surfers who he beat in 2005, and who do not want to let him beat them again. “Either way,” said Tazzy, “I want to go bigger for sure, but I don’t want other people to have too many expectations. I just want to have fun doing it.”
He’ll have some fun in South Africa this year no doubt.

Brief history - A gifted talent in thick surf, young Mr Tashnick has been charging Mavericks since the age of 16. Growing up on the West Side of Santa Cruz, Anthony was introduced to surfing, at age six, by his father and excelled at junior and amateur levels. A talented waterman he is also the youngest surf instructor at the Richard Schmidt surf school in his home town.

He burst into the big time two years ago with his win at Mavs, pipping some big wave legends to the podium and the prize money. Experienced big wave illuminati like Peter Mel, Brock Little and Matt Ambrose. He also squeezed past Red Bull BWA regular and 2003 champion, Greg Long, who took second place and scored two perfect 10 rides during the event.
‘I was just lucky today,’ said Tashnick from the podium. ‘I feel really fortunate I was able to be out there with all of my heroes. On a different day, it might have been a different scenario. But I felt really amped out, and I wanted it really bad.’
Then apparently he put his cell phone to his ear and called his gran, to tell her about his $25,000.

‘I think winning at Mavericks was my cap’ says the understated young gun. ’I want to go bigger for sure, but I don’t want other people to have too many expectations. I just have fun doing it, you know being in the water with my peers and pushing each other.’

Anthony knows how to have fun in the thick stuff and with mentors like big wave stalwarts Flea Virostko and Peter Mel pushing him in the back line he’s well accustomed to charging.
‘It was quite intriguing as a kid watching all the guys coming back from Mavs, and hearing all the stories. It got me amped. The whole routine just drew me in. Waking up at four in the morning, packing the car, driving up there and hiking the trail, then paddling out. It’s good for your head you know. It feels like you’re going to war or something,’ he laughs. This is Anthony’s second trip to the dark continent.