Dane Reynolds gets wildcard entry into Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast
America’s Dane Reynolds has been given a wild card entry into the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by Land Rover, the first of 10 stops on the 2013 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour, which kicked off at Snapper Rocks in
Queensland, Australia, from Wednesday, February 13, 2013.
The 27-year-old California-based surfer is not new to the pressure of competing against the heavy-weights as he has already competed in four full seasons, while occasionally making an appearance in other seasons of the elite tour, with him competing in five
events during the previous season alone.
His performances during last year’s ASP World Championship Tour were not too shabby, with him finishing runner-up to America’s legendary surfer and 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater at the Quiksilver Pro France, posting two equal fifths finishes and
a ninth-place finish at the final event of the season.
Reynolds is aware of the fact that he will have to bring his A-game to Snapper Rocks as he will be competing against the best surfers from around the globe.
Since he is a wildcard entry, it will automatically make him the lowest seed, thus putting him against even more formidable surfers.
“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, “he said.
He admitted that it will be quite challenging to hold his own against the talent he is about to find himself competing against since they have excellent win records.
“They are on top for a reason and you definitely have to surf your best to even have a chance,” Reynolds added.
The very first heat for the seasoned professional surfer will pit him against reining ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson of Australia.
Competing against the current champion in his own backyard is not an ideal situation for Reynolds, but it has him excited nevertheless and therefore he is really looking forward to the encounter.
Reynolds may not have an ASP World Title to his name yet, but there is hardly any professional surfer who does not acknowledge him as a formidable competitor.
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