Kiama dropknee surfer Juan Castilla represented NSW earlier this year at the 2025 Australian Bodyboarding Titles, and now he’s set to represent Australia in the first Bodyboarding Ashes.

The Bodyboarding Ashes 2025 pits Australia - featuring riders from Victoria and Sydney - against England, which is represented by bodyboarders from Bristol.

The showdown takes place across three wave pools: The Wave in Bristol and URBNSURF in Melbourne and Sydney.

The competition, which began on 1 November, is being run entirely through FlowState, an AI-powered video and performance analytics platform that automatically films and tracks the bodyboarders on each wave.

“We’re running the Ashes entirely through FlowState with wave-pool clips only,” said Castilla.

“Because it’s the first edition, there are no divisions this year. Each rider gets up to three submissions across the two-month window.”

The event is open to bodyboarders as well as dropknee and prone surfers, with competitors able to choose their best waves from any session during the two months.

“You just submit your three best waves and your scores go into your country’s cumulative total. Those combined scores decide which country wins the Ashes. It keeps things open to all styles, from big airs to heavy pits, and makes it feel like one big team effort rather than a bunch of separate heats,” Castilla said.

He added that the format is a major shift from traditional beach contests.

“There’s no luck around conditions or heat times, so it becomes more about pure performance and progression. You can surf different sessions, review your clips, then decide which three waves really show your best surfing.”

FlowState has become an invaluable tool for riders like the 45-year-old, allowing them to analyse and refine every detail of their technique - one reason Castilla is particularly excited to be part of Australia’s inaugural Ashes squad.

“Being part of the first ever Bodyboarding Ashes feels like we’re building something from the ground up, and that’s exciting. For me it’s more of an opportunity for personal improvement. I'm focusing on the fundamentals: speed, style, power, and flow.”

He says wave-pool consistency has accelerated his progress.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time at URBNSURF over the last year or so, and it’s pushed my surfing in ways that just aren’t possible in the ocean. The consistency means you can actually study every single wave and obsess over the details of your technique.”

Waves will be judged by four legends of the sport: Jay Reale, Jacob Romero, Ian Campbell, and Rob Barber.

“Knowing they are scoring your waves definitely lifts the standard and makes it feel like a proper international showdown, even though it’s all happening online,” Castilla said.

Castilla has had a look at what the Bristol riders are producing and acknowledges the depth of talent on the English side, but he’s confident in his own progression - and says he may have discovered a subtle edge.

“There are some really good riders on the Bristol side, so the competition is legitimate, but I’m feeling pretty calm about it all.”

The Sydney part of the 2025 Australian Ashes squad. Photo: Juan Castilla

“One thing I’ve noticed is that the Advanced Turns and Advanced settings actually offer the best waves for dropknee, which is a bit strange since most competitors just focus on Expert mode. 

“Expert gets all the attention because it’s the gnarliest setting, but for dropknee the Advanced waves have this perfect combination of speed and wall that lets you really open up your turns and generate power. It’s a bit of a hidden gem.”

With the submission window running until the end of December, some competitors have already lodged their waves, while others - including Castilla - are strategising.

“We’re only in the early stages but there are already some solid waves on the board. A few of the boys have banked clips they’re pretty happy with, and others are playing the long game and waiting for the right session to push something bigger,” he said.

Castilla has until 31 December to submit his three waves and complete his 2025 representation of both state and country.