Details
- Name: Ariana Shewry
- Team: New Zealand Surfing Team
Nickname: Ari
Date of Birth: 17/06/2003
Hometown: Ōakura
Ethnicity: Kiwi
Height: 165 cm
Stance: Goofy
Occupation: Sales Rep
Equipment & Surfing Background
How many boards do you own? 6
Length range: 5’4” – 6’2”
Shapers: Wynter Boards, Jordan Griffin, Channel Islands, Pyzel
Sponsors: –
Favourite boards: A 5’7” square tail shortboard by Paul Wynter, and a 5’8” Zimmer twin pin by Jordan Griffin.
Other surf essentials: A surf hat on super sunny days.
Surfing since: 2011
How did you start surfing?
When I was about 9 we moved from Queenstown to Taranaki and swapped the mountains for the surf. A lot of my new mates were surfing at the time so I joined the Ōakura Boardriders Club and was always fizzing for the Friday night surf sessions where I would get lessons with all my friends.
Surfing competitively since: 2011, back in the microgrom days — I was getting pushed in and throwing shakas to win comps!
Competition strategy: Keep busy, stay calm, and surf good.
Achievements & Ambitions
New Zealand Teams: 2017 Junior Team and 2022 Opens Team (both at Huntington Beach).
Career highlight: Getting 2nd at the Sunset Beach Pro Junior and this year’s Nationals at home.
Ambitions: To keep improving and surf as much as I can.
Surfing Life
Main surf breaks: Ōakura Beach, Back Beach, Ahus, Rocky Lefts, and Stent.
Favourite surf break: Rockies — nothing beats it!
People you surf with most: The Rockies regulars. Huge shoutout to all the talented guys at home who’ve encouraged me along my surfing journey.
Surfing heroes: Steph Gilmore, Caity Simmers, Jaleesa Vincent — all style queens that rip.
Life heroes: My parents.
Outside of Surfing
Other interests: Sewing, gardening, cooking.
Favourite food: Anything Japanese.
Favourite movies: Not big on movies.
Favourite surf video: SURFING ft Steph, Tyler, and Macy.
Competition & Travel
Favourite NZ Series events: Nationals — especially Westport, Gisborne, and Taranaki.
Have you been to El Salvador before? No! I’ve been wanting to explore Central and South America for a while — hopefully I’ll come back and tick more places off in the future.
What are you looking forward to most about the trip? Surfing La Bocana (it looks like such a fun wave), and ditching the 4/3 wetsuit and cold water for boardies and tropical warmth.
Boards you’ll be taking: Everyday boards by Paul Wynter, plus a CI Pro 5’9” round tail and a Pyzel Ghost step-up just in case.
Training & Support
Training for ISA Worlds:
- Hitting New Plymouth Fitstop gym 5–6 times a week (cardio, strength, and power).
- Surfing at home as much as possible, logging on smaller days.
- A 10-day surf trip to Tahiti right before El Salvador.
Who would you like to thank?
Big shoutout to Mum and Dad for always being super supportive and encouraging me to do what I love.
Support Ari
Stay tuned for updates on Ariana’s fundraising and support opportunities.
