The Global Paddling Community

Interview with Anthony "The Flying Aussie" Yap.

This interview was originally produced for the Portuguese web site 'kayaksurf.net' and is published exclusively on Playak in english to make it available to a wider audience. The portuguese version of the interview, with slightly larger versions of some of the photos, is available here.

Name: Anthony Yap
Home bases: Melbourne Australia, Sydney Australia, Ottawa Canada
Age: 21
Kayaking experience: 5 years
Occupation: Professional Freestyle Kayaker, Film Maker
Competition record:
2005
1st - Men Big Air - Freestyle World's
7th – K1 Men – Freestyle World's

At the World's 2005 in Penrith, Australia

2004
2nd Ottawa Rodeo Canada
1st National Team Recognition Rodeo - Rodeo 1 Day 1
1st National Team Recognition Rodeo - Rodeo 2 Day 2
1st Easter Rodeo
1st Saturday Slap Down
8th Pre-World Championships Penrith

2003
1st Lachine Rodeo
1st Chambly Big Trick Rodeo
2nd Australian Selections
5th Canadian Quebec Cup

2000
Australia JR Champ 2000

Sponsors: Bliss-Stick Kayaks, Electric Water Gear, Rochford Paddles, Entropy Gear, Rudy Project, Plug-It Nose Plugs, Feed The Rat.

How did you end up on the Canadian competition circuit?
I've chosen Canada as a key place for me to compete and train over the last 3 years simply because of the good combination of excellent waves and world-class boaters. There's no better experience than training with the best on the best.

In 2004 you were won the National Team Recognition Rodeo. What kind of competition is this?
This group of rodeos was set up as a weekend to recognize all the past Australian National Team members since the Olympic Penrith White Water course opened.

Is river experience essential for a kayak surfer?
River experience is great for surf kayaking, especially if you spend your time on bigger greener river waves. But really any time spent in your boat is good time.

What is your favorite kayak?
The Bliss-Stick RAD series is an amazing set of boats. With really nice rails on them, they carve like a dream and still have a heap of speed for their length. They also manage to have just as good release from edge to edge as they do when bouncing back and forth which means the boats really easy to adapt to your own paddling style.

What do you think about the evolution of our sport?
The evolution of Surf Kayaking in Australia has been slow due to a lack in technology. The newer designed boats would always seem to get to Australia a decent 6 months later then anywhere else in the world keeping us a little behind, but things have changed and the Aussies are now racing up there with the best.

Surf Kayaking is a sport that fascinates anyone who sees it, the more exposure of the sport out there the more people will start the sport. This will then push the top athletes as well as the manufacturers.

Do you compete regularly?
I compete in as many freestyle kayaking competitions as possible. This unfortunately would only be about 10 a year.

What do you think about the rules of the kayak surfing World Championships (differences between Hi Performance and International Classic)?
I definitely think some changes could be made. Air is a new big thing in surf kayaking and it's pushing the sport to new levels, the rules need to evolve with the sport sometimes and take in account these new aspects in the sport.

Any news from your occupations as film maker, director and producer?
Pure Karmic Fusion's next project is following an international group of kayakers deep into Northern Western Australia to explore and paddle one of the world's largest rivers. Here we'll be joining up with an American producer and coming up with a few documentaries.

Which was the best spot that you surfed in a kayak around the world?
There are so many amazing spots are the world, each with their own good features. Canada holds some amazing waves such as Bus Eater and Garberator, but in my hometown of Melbourne Australia the ocean surf along the coast there can be the best in the world.

The Melbourne Coast

Your scariest moment in the sea?
Out at sea I have never had too many close calls but I have had some very big trashings. Broken boats, broken paddles, luckily no broken limbs have been my worst results.

Have you got a strict training plan?
I really try to spend as much time in my boat as possible, the more water time the better. Each time I go out there I practice different things, individual moves and competition technique. I'll also jump in a slalom boat every now and then to build stamina.

How would you describe the perfect wave?
The perfect wave is a wave that looks beautiful and allows you to do any wave move you choose. Easy to set up on and fast enough to launch into those massive aerial moves.

Your favorite moves?
There are almost too many moves to choose from, but clean moves are sweet. Clean Blunts, and Clean Pan Ams feel great when landed perfectly.

Favorite paddler?
The other paddlers I admire most are the ones I paddle with on a daily basis. Some of my good mates in Canada such as Patrick Camblin and Dale Monkman are both great guys and amazing paddlers.

Where's your next kayaking trip?
At the moment I'm staying in Sydney until the World Championships are over. Then its off to Northern Western Australia on a 25 day river expedition down one of the worlds largest rivers.

Any other short-term projects?
More training, having more fun out there, and focusing on going bigger, are the sort term goals. I also have a few new moves up my sleeve to master.

What's your one favorite thing about the paddling lifestyle?
The people. The people in the paddling community that make up the lifestyle are so laid back and relaxed, it's a great thing to be around. Everyone seems to know each other and everyone's good friends.

Some final words?
Have fun out there! Go BIG!

[Click here for a short video of Anthony's ride at the World's 2005 in Penrith, Australia]

-- Interview by Luis Pedro Abreu, kayaksurf.net. English editing: Jeroen.

Photos courtesy of Bliss-Stick Kayaks.