Wil Reid’s Cheeks Are Chafed From All This Ass-Dragging

A springtime chill has made its way to California. More specifically, it’s a blustery NNW wind accompanied by equally cold short-period slop from a similar direction. 

Perhaps it was this time of year, the Golden State’s surfer’s most dreaded season, that had Los Angeles-based Wil Reid eyeing a spot on the other side of the world. A certain warm-water locale where dreams are made/dashed across razor-sharp reefs. A place where no NNW springtime chill would find him.

So Wil packed his bags for some extended R&R. Except rather than rest, he posted up there for a year and a half, and he’s got a helluva highlight reel to show for it. Think of all the things you could do with a year and a half in Indonesia. Probably a few bumps and business. But would you get sick of perfection? Probably not. 

The whole clip is full of great rides and should be appreciated in its entirety, but for my money, Wil’s backside stalls are a thing of beauty. Note the subtle direction change in the tube. It’s the kind of skill that only comes with dutiful reps in those long, overhead, predictable cylinders. 

Sadly, for the rest of us west coasters, there are no long, overhead, predictable cylinders here to practice, and likely won’t be for some time. So for the next few months, we’re going to have to get by with learning by seeing, not doing.  

Watch Wil reap rewards in “Honeycomb” above and feel free to start daydreaming. Film by Alessio Saraifoger.