The Dumpster Diver 2: How To Resurrect a Cult Classic

Spurred by Dane Reynolds (and perhaps the success of the Neckbeard 2… and 3), Channel Islands has resurrected and released an improved version of the original Dumpster Diver — the short, girthy, square-tailed board that gave birth to the original Neck Beard about 15 years ago. “Ironically, the blank that we pulled out of the dumpster and put the fat tail on, became the Neck Beard,” Dane said in a recent conversation with Stab, who Joyrode the DD2 last spring in the kind of conditions it just begs for. 

“It’s pretty damn good in knee-to-head-high waves, but it handles overhead waves as well. It’s definitely a California-centric board,” Dane spoke of the small wave groveler that adapts surprisingly well to above-average conditions.

A few months ago, in a skit co-written by Dane and Stab’s resident TikToker Josiah Amico, a small wave support group gathered to air their grievances, and at some stage, Josiah. The comedy bit — reminiscent of the type of humor absent from surfing since Doped Youth — served as the first teaser for the DD2.

Now, some members of the group, along with other recovering CI team riders across the globe, went from words to action, adding saltwater to the Spine-Tek construction, and putting it through an array of conditions ranging from fair to good to epic.

Shot entirely on the Dumpster Diver 2, the edit is fast and dynamic, perfectly translating the board’s defining attributes to your backlit screen.

Hit play for a jolt of really good surfing on a board you might have to make room for very soon.