These days it's easier to get an interview with Moammar Gaddafi than with Dane Reynolds. But maybe it's because, unlike the brutal Libyan ex-dictator, Dane has nothing to say. Gaddafi probably would if he could, be he's a little indisposed at the moment -- or should we say deposed? Reynolds, as far as you know, has struggled with a couple of injuries, and to the point, 2011 hasn't been his year. Thank you and good night, end of story.
But why such a malaise from Reynolds as of late? Have the rigors of pro surfing become all-consuming? Is disaffection the only solution? All we want to know is when we can come watch him surf next. Will he paddle out in the Hurley Pro tomorrow? The folks in New York would have been stoked. Johnny Surf Fan's not asking for much, just a little acknowledgement. After all, isn't that your job? Heartbroken Bruce eventually took the time to talk about the passing of his brother Andy. Kelly graciously obliged nearly ever media request when he won his tenth title under those somber circumstances. Flea and Ruffo have come clean about battles with speed. Even Quikie teammate Clay Marzo came forth about his private struggles with autism. Couldn't you tell us just a little about your plans?
But, alas, what can we expect from a guy who still uses a shoelace for a belt and can't match his socks? Seriously, button down shirts aren't that hard to figure out.
Groovy, against the grain, progressive, artist, hip, hepcat, soul guy, free surfer, dropout, etc., etc., etc. Blah, blah, blah. Package Reynolds and label him how you want, he would rather you didn't. In fact, he'd rather you just left him and his neck beard alone. He's busy, busy taking hacksaws to perfectly good Al Merricks, chasing stray Silver Bullets at Ventura Overhead and hanging with his boys and girl. You want something? Tune in to MarineLayerProductions.com, you get what he gives you. This is media control in the 21st Century, Dane style.
But perhaps those non-matching socks and the fuzzy pelt under his chin belie his genius. More or less, it's working for him. The combination of aesthetic and athletic ability possessed by Reynolds is second to none, which in turn affords him a tremendous amount of freedom. Who else gets their photo on a billboard while riding backwards on a soft top yet could someday, if he's not careful, win a world title? Who else is hailed by Slater as the best surfer in the world (when he wants to be) but shrugs it off to hang with Thomas Campbell? Who else cracks the top ten in the world without even trying? Who else signed one of the biggest contracts in surfing while heads were rolling in an economically blighted surf industry?
But after a year plagued by injury and seemingly incoherent wanderings, it'd be nice to see something more than just passing interest from Reynolds. Where's the validation? Where's the appreciation? We support you, but some engagement in return would be solid.
In a recent conversation with a friend, Bobby Martinez's now infamous Quik Pro rant came up. And while I applauded Bobby for speaking his mind and earnestly enjoyed the entertainment, my friend found it rude and insulting.
"There are a lot of people out there without jobs, without an income, and whether Bobby acknowledges it or not, he's made a good living from surfing and has no right to react that way. His job is to go to the beach and surf, a lot of people in America are having problems just putting food on the table. Whatever happened to being thankful?"
A parallel could every easily be drawn to Reynolds. Look at the microcosm that is Quiksilver. Since the recession hit in 2008 they've let over 500 employees go. But this spring they managed to scrape together enough nickels and dimes to sign Reynolds to a six-year mega deal. They also hosted an event with the largest prize purse in pro surfing history -- an event that Reynolds pulled out of after blowing off Round 1 and officially withdrawing in Round 2. He ambiguously cited a rib injury sustained during a surf trip to Japan as the reasoning.
Reynolds could very easy be worth the investment that Quik's making, I don't know "how many boardshorts he sells." But I do know that if I'm throwing a multi-million dollar party in the media capital of the world and my ace doesn't show up in fighting form, I'm more than a little bummed. Maybe skip the trip to the far east next time. Ah, but this is surfing, and "it's just Dane."
Which is ironic considering when Reynolds' deal was inked this April, President of Quiksilver Americas, Craig Stevenson, released the following statement: "We look forward to continuing working with Dane, collaborating with him on interesting projects, and watching him on the 2011 ASP World Tour, especially at the Quiksilver Pro New York this September."
Well, he must be working on some damn interesting projects, because the boys and girls at Quik certainly haven't had much fun watching him on tour this year. He didn't have even the remotest presence at their Snapper Rocks and New York events, let alone anywhere else (save, oddly, the U.S. Open and Lowers Pro). Injury, sure, that excuse worked at the start of the year. But he's missed every contest this year, two of which he just didn't show up for, which resulted in fines from the ASP.
Full Report at : ESPN SURF
