SNAPPER ROCKS, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday, February 13 2013) – The enigmatic Dane Reynolds (USA), 27, will bring his explosive surfing to the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover as the wildcard entrant in the opening 2013 ASP Men’s World Championship Tour event.
The former ASP WCT surfer proved to be one of the world’s most lethal competitors over the 2012 season. Reynolds contested five ASP world tour events as a wildcard last year, his best result a runner-up to 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in the Quiksilver Pro France.
The Californian also posted two equal fifths finishes plus a credible 9th at the season-ending Pipeline event. A feat not to be underestimated, as the wildcard always draws either one of the two top seeded surfers.
Reynolds is aware, that it will be game on from his opening heat at Snapper Rocks on the Southern end of Gold Coast stating;
“As a wildcard you’re automatically the lowest seed in the contest so you get a really tough draw in the first three rounds which makes it really exciting but also really difficult.”
“Those guys have a crazy heat win record.
“They are on top for a reason and you definitely have to surf your best to even have a chance,” he added.
Reynolds will draw reigning ASP world champion Joel Parkinson (Aus) or eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater (USA), in round one of the Quiksllver Pro.
When asked how he felt about meeting either one Reynolds answered.
“Stoked!”
“Joel would definitely be a fun heat but I’d like to surf against Kelly too, that’s always an experience,” he added.
Ironically, Reynolds worst result as a wildcard last year, was in the 2012 Quiksilver Pro where he lost to eventual winner Taj Burrow (Aus) after an epic clash in round two. The pair had the Sunday Snapper crowd on its feet as the two surfers went blow for blow with big aerials and monster carves. The equal 25th placing, belying his ability at the right-hand point break where he finished equal third in the 2010 Quiksilver Pro.
“I like waves that you can get a score by getting barreled, or putting together a series of turns or by doing one or two big tricks. Snapper Rocks is perfect for all of those things,” said Reynolds.
Reynolds has been fine-tuning his craft by studying Hawaii’s smooth stylist John John Florence (Haw) plus Slater and the late great Andy Irons (Haw), whose influence on the natural footer is already apparent.
“I was watching a lot of John John and got super inspired by his video and trying to learn some of the air stuff he’s doing that I hadn’t ever really tried,” said Reynolds.
“More recently I started going back and watching stuff I liked as a kid, more traditional style surfing from Andy and Kelly. That’s been really cool. No-one is attacking waves like Andy these days,” added Reynolds.
There is no doubt, surfing fans will be wowed by the futuristic surfer taking on the sports biggest names at Snapper but Reynolds is doubtful of a full-time return to the competitive ranks.
“Never say never, but it’s unlikely in the near future,” said Reynolds.
Reynolds is one of two wildcards in the Quiksilver Pro presented by Land Rover with the second going to the winner of The Moskova Trials to be held on Friday, March 1st.
Other surfers confirmed for the trials are defending champion Mitch Crews (Currumbin, Aus), Matt Banting (Port Macquarie, Aus) Garrett Parkes (Byron Bay, Aus), Kenta Hayashi (JPN), Wiggollly Dantas (BRZ), Dede Suryana (IND), Leonardo Fioravanti ((IT), Marco Lacomare (FRN), Kanoa Igarashi (USA), Chase Wilson (USA), Mikey Wright (Lennox Head, Aus), Jack Robinson (Margaret River, Aus), Nathan Hedge (North Narrabeen, NSW / Buderim, Aus), Lincoln Taylor (North Stradbroke Is. Aus), Samba Mann (Gold Coast, Aus), Wade Carmichael (Avoca Beach, Aus), Perth Standlick (Bondi, Aus) and Brent Dorrington (Gold Coast, Aus).
Both the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro presented by Land Rover events are webcast live on QuiksilverLive.com, RoxyLive.com ,Youtube, Facebook and the Quiksilver iPhone app as well as exclusively telecast on Fuel TV.
All the action, interaction, heat alerts, competitions and the latest information head to QuiksilverLive.com or RoxyLive.com
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