Dane Reynolds deciding on the eventual winner of 2016 Stab in the Dark contest, #74 by Pyzel Surfboards.
Following the success of the ‘Stab in the Dark’ competition featuring Julian Wilson, the team over at Stab decided double down and do Stab in the Dark 2016. In partnership with some big names like Swell and Corona Extra, Stab flew former WCT surfer Dayne Reynolds aka ‘Seal Tooth’ out 40 hours from Los Angeles to Johannesburg, South Africa on one mission. To find the best surfboard or shaper in the world.
Please note though: These surfboards may not give you the ability to surf like Dane…
With a 10 day time limit in June, Dane was the perfect candidate to test out 13 high performance surfboards with his go-for-broke style. The boards had no name, no dimensions and no distinguishing markings (other than their shapes). The amount of boards was this year bumped up from 11 to 13 with Dayne required to surf at least twice on each model to help him make the decision. Narrowing down his selection from 13 toa final four, Dane finally selected #74 shaped by Pyzel Surfboards, Jon Pyzel as his number one pick.
“I’m kind of saving this wave for good waves because it looks good. It kind of looks like a low rocker looks like it should be pretty drivey and hopefully good for today.”
The #74 was a 6’0 X 19 1/18 x 2 3/8 and was suited for Dane’s style of surfing.
“I kind of went through and rode the ones I was digging the last few and rode them later when it (surf) was better.” he said.
Dane noted on his sheet that the board was best suited for 5ft tubes and cutbacks.
“#74 and #31 (JS) are more drivey, down the line, point break boards, but both of them have really good qualities that I really like surfing. If I were going to go surf right now, fun waves, I would be the most excited to surf this (Pyzel), so I’m going to deem it the winner.”
More information about the 2016 Stab in The Dark board models is coming soon so watch this space…
For now, check out some of the other brands that competed in the competition below.
– DHD Surfboards
– JS Industries
– Chilli Surfboards
– Lost Mayhem Surfboards
– Maurice Cole
– Rusty Surfboards
– Channel Islands
– Cole
– Pyzel Surfboards
– Stretch Surfboards
– Arakawa
– T Patterson Surfboards
– Haydenshapes
