Dane Reynolds, Sampler - video
I emailed a friend of mine a link to ‘SAMPLER’ the other day to see what he thought and he texted me back that it was "pretty cool." I said "that doesn’t sound very enthusiastic,"’ and he wrote back that it was "a little too B-sidey for me."
Then the next day he sent a long winded explanation saying he just expected more. I wrote back, "that text leaves me more confused than before, so you're saying you were just disappointed?"
I don’t really care, I like it… it’s B-sides, whatever, I'm not gonna force people to watch it or pay for it so if they’re disappointed then fuck 'em.
Man… expectations, what a stoke killer. Every time you do something, the expectation is that whatever you do next has to be better. Do you understand how unsustainable that is? The pressure caused by this principle has stressed me out, burned me out, I eventually cracked, hid out, dropped out, turned away...but then it gets to a point where you’re just like "fuck it." That’s when I’ve done my best surfing; when there is a complete absence of consideration for what people expect.
So here’s SAMPLER, which is a collection of surfing I’ve done the past year that didn’t make it into ‘Cluster.’ So yeah, it is ‘B-sidey’ but that is not a disclaimer, I'm proud of it. Every moment can’t be your best, the waves aren’t always perfect, the more you expect the more you're disappointed, do what you can with what you’ve got. Surfing’s an art, there’s no winner and no loser, no right or wrong way to do it, there’s a big difference between saying ‘fuck it’ and genuinely feeling it, and as much as I wish it did, writing it on my boards doesn’t really make me feel it, and I have to say that for the most part, while filming the past year, I was aware that I was one of the oldest guys in the movie with a reputation to defend. And that is not the right frame of mind to surf your best, or feel your best, or be yourself… but seriously…fuck it, forget what your sponsors expect, what viewers expect, expect nothing, do your best, clear your mind, be present, turn off, tune out, drop in.
-Dane Reynolds
Comments
He may not shine in competition but he draws some really unique lines. I really like Danes surfing.
He doesn't look that fat either.
He is a big unit, bigger all over than you think (check how big his feet were when he was young - sure sign he was going to be a good size). Big bum and legs gives him a different look to most surfers. Mega drive out of the corners though. Sensational stuff.
"Paging Evosurfer to the front desk. Paging Evosurfer."
Those backside fin wafts and those low centre of gravity frontside whips (see 3:35 and 4:15) do it for me.
I'd always got the feeling that Dane has more fun freesurfing than entering competitions. The angst-ridden diatribe that came with the vid confirms that. I mean, what greater arena of expectation than a CT contest webcast to the world?
Basically , every wave in that movie was equivalent to the best surfing I've ever seen in the flesh.
But then again, it's been a long time since I've been to Cronulla Point.
That 'thing ' @ 3.55 fullscreen frame by frame is one of the best moves ever .
Thats good stuff that is!!
8 minute mark turn did it for me.
Who gives a shit if he can't win a comp, what's more important surfing and having fun or for yourself or pleasing other people doing what just isn't you ie wsl he fuckin rips and is a pleasure to watch
Tru dat
What a wild card.
Evo where are youuuuuu???
Must be racing
yeah baby. Stunning return to form.
queer old world when a bloke getting paid millions to go surfing is feeling pressured and anxious.
In one of Dane's videos he said something like,
'competition surfers are all about control, whereas I felt the beauty of being out of control'
Yep Wally this is something which came to mind when I was watching his 'Loaded' vid. His surfing was so flamboyant and loose almost sloppy compared to Nat Young's whose was super precise and could he the lip exactly when he needed to. That said I preferred watching Dane.
fucking ripping, yea dane
In my opinion the starting wave of Dane's B side 'Sampler' had elements that were remarkably similar to 'Brothers' best ever wave. (Just sayins'all)
Hey I skateboard almost exactly as well as he did! That means eventually I will surf just like him!
Man, I can't wait till then...
Nice work stu, bet this little number was burning a hole somewhere whilst the comments loaded up on the "wildcard" story...timing.
Do you think it hushed some of the Dane haters? Some mind blowing turns in there.
That was awesome. I wanna go surfing NOW!
some epic cutbacks
amazing surfing. still one of the most inovative, stylish surfers in the world for sure. makes everyone else look a bit like the same surfer.
Pretty awesome stuff, freesurfing is what I like to see from this guy! not demotivated, careless in a comp...
Boards look like they are working heaps better for him. Flatter forwards rocker with more area. Anyone know what he was riding?
Not saying it would improve my surfing, just curious.
They look awfully wide...
I would love to see Dane on a McCoy.
Free spirit with creative flair, its a pity you don't get points for that.
In one of Dane's more recent videos, he talked about surfing at Trestles and his board was just not giving him a good time. He said he swapped boards with Taylor Knox and just started relishing the driveyness of it. Something his current boards, often shaped by himself, was seriously lacking.
He indicated, Oh! penny dropping. He had got lost down a design byway and had forgot about driveyness.
Might partly explain explain this seeming return to form.
So True , we are all enjoyoying the art and there are many #1's in our art and Dane is definetly one of them, all of us have our day and come out of the water feeling like #1. It's all about the Stoke! And that he does it so well!!!!
what the fuck is a b side? that's too good to even put the word sampler next too it... just layed out $100 for Reynolds to win Fiji at $44. cant wait $5 dollar beers in the pub ill be dancing on the tables if he gets up! good luck Reynolds if you read this b side shit.....