By Taylor Byrne of Thirroul’s Byrne Surf
Congratulations to our very own Jed Ashton, who was crowned open men’s champion at this year’s Australian Shortboard Titles.
The event was held at Sandon Point, just a stone’s throw from where Jed grew up.
So, who is Jed Ashton? The 22-year-old chippy has been riding Byrne Surfboards for more than 12 years, a true testament to his loyalty and passion for surfing. Born and bred on the north-facing cliff of Sandon Point and a long-time member of Sandon Point Boardriders, Jed is as local as they come. When the wave turns on, he becomes an instant stand-out that knows every nook and cranny of the reef, and putting on a show for both locals and visitors.
Jed’s performance on August 31 was nothing short of dominant. Entering the event as a wildcard, Jed was in rhythm from his first heat, combining his power, flow, and precision to make himself look untouchable all day. His rhythm with the sets, commitment to every section, and ability to turn even the smallest opportunities into scoring waves set him apart from the rest of the field.
And what a field it was. This year’s Australian open men’s line-up was stacked with some of the best surfers in Australia and hungry up-and-comers looking to make their mark. Jed systematically took them all down, round after round, proving that he can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the country’s best.
The local crowd played its part too. With friends, family, and the entire Sandon Point community lining Jed’s local cliff, he fed off the energy and seemed to grow sharper with every heat. His rail game got tighter, his wave selection more dialled, and by the time the final horn blew, there was no doubt – this was Jed’s day.
After the win, Jed reflected on just how much this result meant: “Growing up surfing Sandon, this wave has shaped the way I surf. To win an Australian title here, in front of my mates and family, means everything. My MM2 felt insane under my feet today – it just did exactly what I needed it to do in every section.”
For us at Byrne Surf, this is a moment of pure pride. Jed has been part of our family since he was a grom, working closely with Parrish over the years to fine-tune boards to suit not only his fast rail-heavy style but his above-the-lip antics. We feel his win at Sandon Point is the perfect showcase of what happens when the right surfer is matched with the right equipment.
We couldn’t be prouder to see Jed take out such a prestigious event – and to do it at home, riding for us, in front of the people who have supported him from the beginning.
With so much history tied to Sandon Point – a place that has produced some of Australia’s most respected surfers – one question remains: Does this make Jed Ashton the new King of the Point?
