Airini Mason

Birth Date: January 17, 1990

Hometown: Born Whakatane NZ residing now in Tugun Gold Coast

Sponsors: Von Zipper, Kustom

Boards: DHD

Five minutes with Airini…

Where’s your favourite wave? “Wainui Beach in NZ because it has lots of power for a beachie and has good barrels.”

Tell us the phrase you use far too often: “Yeah, yeah, when my Mum tells me to do something…however, I always forget to do the chore she asked me to do.

Finish this sentence: I wish people would take more notice of… “…global warming, it's happening so fast and not too many people realise.”

What’s the most surprising thing that ever happened to you? “When I heard that Billabong were taking all of its Junior girls skydiving. It was the most amazing thing I have ever done and an experience I will never forget.”

We know you as a surfer, but in a different kind of life you’d be? “A monkey, they are one of my favourite animals and I love climbing trees.”

Where’s the most favourite place you’ve been in the last 12 months? “I went to Tavarua in Fiji and it as the most beautiful island ever, I had some amazing surfs at Cloudbreak and I was surrounded by great people.”

What's the water temperature like where you live? “It's like one huge bath tub for most of the year it's beautiful.”

What's your favourite thing about surfing? “Being able to express myself in any way that I want. It's just so much fun.”

Any other obsessions? “Snowboarding, skateboarding and playing with my gorgeous dog Chic.”

What goals do you have outside of surfing? “To live life to the fullest and have tonnes of fun on the way, I have also always wanted to be a good Hip Hop dancer.”

Which surfer inspires you the most? “Mick Fanning, he seems so focused and really determined, and he totally shreds.”

What music psychs you before you compete? “Songs off surf vids because it reminds me of the section I was watching and makes me feel like I just want to surf like them.”

What defines good style in the surf? “Seeing a surfer who looks really comfortable in the waves and reads every section perfectly, it's something that I love to watch.”

When's the last time you got worked in the surf? “The other day out at Wainui, it was a big swell and I tried to tuck into a backhand barrel but wasn't quick enough so the lip landed straight on my head.”

What training do you do? “I like to go to the pool and swim laps, I also enjoy running and yoga.”

Tell us your philosophy: “Eat well, exercise, never give up on what you want from life, be positive and have lots of fun.”


Achievements

2008
3rd Billabong Girls Cascais Festival 6 Star WQS, Portugal
2nd Sunsmart Pro Jnr, Perth
5th Drug Aware Pro 5 Star WQS, Margaret River
2nd Billabong Pro Jnr Taranaki, NZ
3rd Community Projects Trials Gold Coast
3rd Billabong Pro Jnr Coffs Harbour

2007
2nd Kustom Jetty Pro Jnr Bells Beach
1st Billabong Pro Jnr Coffs Harbour
1st Billabong Pro Jnr Raglan NZ
Runner up in the trials Roxy Pro Gold Coast
5th Billabong Pro Jnr Newcastle
5th Billabong Pro Jnr Sunshine Coast
5th Roxy Pro Jnr Phillip Island


2006
ASP Australian Jnr Series Champion
1st Jetty Surf Pro Jnr
1st Balin Pro Jnr
1st Billabong Pro Teen - Gold Coast
2nd Billabong Pro Teen - Woollongong
3rd Billabong Pro Teen - Raglan
2nd Billabong Girls Easter Surfing Festival Jnrs
4th World ISA Championships Brazil

2005
1st U16’s, 1st U18’s, 2ND Pro Jnrs - Roxy Womens Surfing Festival Phillip Island
3rd Billabong Girls Easter Surf Festival Sunshine Coast
5th Billabong Pro Teen Newcastle
1st FCS Gold Coast Regional Titles U18’s
1st U16’s, 1st U18’s, 1st Open’s - Billabong Girls QSS Winter Classic Duranbah
2nd Open's, 1st U18's Billabong Girls QSS Spring Classic Gold Coast
overall winner Open's, U18's - Billabong Girls Queensland Surf Series
1st Wahoo U16's
1st U16’s - Rip Curl Grom Search

Shifting over to the Gold Coast from Gisborne (NZ) with her parents and five siblings at the beginning of 2005 has done wonders for this talented surfer.

With an ASP Australian Junior Series Championship title under her belt, Airini’s dream of qualifying for the WCT one day is looking promising. But for now Airini is focussed on training and continually improving and learning from the masters of the sport so she may one day make her mark on women’s surfing.

Airini’s love for surfing was developed at age 10 when her father, a local surfboard shaper, took her out for her first wave, and shortly after Airini was hooked. Airini’s competition charge began when she was just 11 placing third in her first contest.

In 2008 Airini has now set her focus to the WQS World Qualifying Series, with some already strong results in the start of the year her dream is becoming one step closer to reality.