Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Channel Islands Dane Reynolds Favorite Al Merrick Surfboard
Interviewer: MaiKai – prosurfgear.com
Interviewees: Rich – Channel Islands
Nick – Surfside Sports
MaiKai: So Rich, what do you have for us? What’s this guy?
Rich: Well, the last board we talked about was Dane’s small waveboard. This is Dane’s
new shortboard. This is the board he rides primarily in most of the contests he surfs
in. Also, when he’s travelling around the world.
MaiKai: This one looks like there’s has a lot less volume, huh?
Rich: Yeah, definitely a lot less volume. It’s called the DFR, Dane Freakin’ Reynolds.
MaiKai: Did someone hit the gym? What’s going on?
Rich: Yeah, he actually lost a little bit of weight. He’s definitely surfing a lot
more coming off the injury last year. So, his boards have gotten a lot more refined,
a lot narrower on the nose, narrower in the tail. Although, it still has a pretty cool
tail block. And this year, to separate, you know, this board from some of the other boards
we have in line, we changed, kind of, the logo setup and the actual aesthetics of the
board. We got it, you know, colored carbon tail hits that match the logos that will match
the stringers that will actually match the boxes, in most cases, if you get the Future
Fin boxes. They’re gonna get a colored box that goes along with the whole setup. It’s
a great all around shortboard. Like I said, it’s got full rail board. Dane likes them
full. So, it’s still pretty easy for the regular guys to ride but it is a high performance
surfboard. MaiKai: Dane almost seems like a guy, to me,
that, like, loves to toy with all the different parts of a surfboard... the surfboard mechanics.
Rich: Oh, definitely. MaiKai: So, I could totally see him actually
changing up and go, then, just to, kind of you know, see how it feels about that.
Rich: He likes to challenge himself to new equipment and I think he enjoys getting up
to the factory and actually shaving boards himself and trying to translate those ideas
to the shavers who are actually gonna make him a new board. So, it’s pretty fun to
have him working with all the guys out there. Nick: You say, rail line on this is pretty
similar to what you are driving for, like a Proton or Rookie as far as like...
Rich: Similar to the Proton or Rookie, with the whole, you know, little bit more whip
going forward but it is still pulled in a lot om the nose.
Nick: Yeah. Rich: It (has) got increased tail rocker that
goes real smooth off the top... Nick: So, it’s safe.
Rich: off the bottom, giving it a lot of release. Nick: Definitely looks like it’s got a lot
of tail rocker on it. It’s good. MaiKai: Is that like, is that a double Vee
or? Rich: This is all single on this one.
MaiKai: Okay. Nick: And that...
Rich: Single concaves what makes you really fast which Dane loves. He likes to do airs
but likes to go fast which I think we all do. It’s probably the number one thing in
surfing is the speed. So, it’s a great, great all around surf board.
MaiKai: So, how tall is this surfboard? Rich: This one, I believe, is a 5’11”.
Yeah, 5’11”. Dane rides them about a 5’11” – 6’0” X 19” wide X 2 3/8” or 2
5/16” kind of stock [inaudible 2:11] MaiKai: Yeah.
Nick: Actually, I just ordered one of these for myself.
MaiKai: Oh, you did? Nick: Yeah. Rich had the, I saw, like, the
sample of it and just looked insane... just looked like a board that’s gonna go good
in good ways, you know... MaiKai: We should have you on camera saying
that you’re gonna let me borrow the board. Nick: Is that a verbal contract? This video?
MaiKai: Alright. Thanks, Nick. Good man! Alright, anything else about the board?
Rich: Well, this one actually is pretty cool that, you know, last year we started giving
glass jobs that our actual team rides and we made them available to everyone and we
put a little logo on here. MaiKai: Now, what kind of glass job is that?
Rich: Dane prefers, you know, only three quarters of the second 4-ounce layer of the deck. A
normal board would get two 4-ounce layers. Dane gets one and then gets a three quarter.
Just a... MaiKai: And for those who don’t know, can
you kind of explain, like, traditional glassing versus like what the pros ride.
Rich: Yeah, definitely. They like to ride ‘em light. They don’t care if they go
right to ruin like the rest of us need our boards to last. So they get them as light
as possible, sometimes single layer of cloth which makes it really thin and light but at
the same time, makes it flexi and could actually break a lot easier.
MaiKai: And are the general consumers, kind of, liking the ability they can order, kind
of, a pro glass job? Rich: We’ve definitely noticed in the past
year the increase in the Team Light boards is dramatic.
MaiKai: Wow. Rich: So, Yeah. People are into riding what
the pros have even though, you know, if it could come at a cost.
MaiKai: Okay Rich: Boards may not last as long but you’re
gonna get the actual high performance that the pros are working with.
MaiKai: So, you may pull in a barrel, it might be in a couple of pieces but it’ll be the
best wave of your life. Rich: Exactly, the best board of your life.
MaiKai: Alright, anything else about this board?
Rich: That’s pretty much it. That’s the DFR, Dane’s new shortboard.
Nick: Brand new, available soon. Yeah. MaiKai: Oh, cool. When will it be...?
Nick: Right now... Rich: It’s hitting the racks right now,
as we speak. So, I’m delivering ‘em today. MaiKai: Oh, nice...
Rich: So keep an eye out for ‘em. MaiKai: ... be back of your truck. Okay, so
with MaiKai with prosurfgear, Rich from Channel Islands and Nick from Surfside Sports, thanks
for watching.