Surfpolitik Dane Reynolds is smarter than you

In: Surfpolitik by Stu Nettle 27 Comments Wed 17th Aug '11

Tags: dane reynolds , Quiksilver

click to enlarge

Yesterday, everyone's favourite surfer, Dane Reynolds, withdrew from everyone's favourite competition, Teahupoo.

As expected the internet instantly lit up with rumours, vitriol and innuendo. Personal advice for Dane was free and forthcoming ('If Dane doesn't want to compete he shouldn't have to') as was business advice from Quiksilver's corporate sympathisers ('He's getting paid by Quiksilver so he should compete'). Shareholders unite!

Was Dane about to quit? Bored of competition, ready to hit the dusty highway with his crayons and Super 8 in tow? No-one knew and the mystery only heightened the speculation.

The answer to Dane's Teahupoo no-show seems far simpler than anyone has yet suggested. 

The answer, it seems, is that there is no point in Dane turning up. He is currently coming last on the World Tour ratings with three injuries and a no-show at J-Bay. No matter how well he performs on the final two events before the cut-off - Teahupoo and New York - he will get bumped. However, he is sitting at 14th on the One World rankings and is a certainty to qualify via that route.

The One World rankings are based upon the last twelve months of results so his Round 4 finish at the 2010 Billabong Pro Teahupoo still counts (at least until this years comp runs). Dane had a stellar back end on the 2010 World Tour with semi-final finishes at Trestles and Pipe, plus a quarter-final finish at Puerto Rico. Therefore it is unlikely that he will drop far below 14th. As said, he is a certainty to stay on tour even by staying at home. 

So while the rest of the tour pack their suitcases for Tahiti he can shoot clips for Marine Layer and train for New York. You can guarantee he will show at that comp, not just because Quiksilver are sponsoring it but also because three no-shows in a row would get him suspended from the tour.

Like I said, Dane Reynolds is smarter than you.

PS: Credit must go to Swellnet commenter 'Lusito' for the tip off. Dane Reynolds, you see, is smarter than me too.

Bobby Blows It - Bobby Martinez is another Tahitian no-show

Loading Comments