Phuket’s surfing star on the crest of a wave

PHUKET: Local surfing starlet Annissa Tita Flynn is ready to take on the best of Asia in coming weeks as she heads off to Hong Kong and Malaysia for the Reef Cup and the final event of the new Asian Surfing Professional tour at Kuala Terengganu.

The Asian tour has been formed not only to promote surfing but also to encourage more ocean awareness amongst the traditionally water-shy Asian community, and the surfers who do well are given invitations to the larger and more professional Australasian Pro Tour where the sports best come together.

Annissa will be returning to the cold waters of Hong Kong to defend the event she won last year at Tai Long Wan.

Even at the tender age of 13, Phuket’s Annissa is currently holding onto fifth position on the Asian tour and is hoping to place in the top three if she does well in the final.

Annissa is sponsored by Quiksilver Thailand and Ark surfboards.

— Marc Mulloy