Dane Reynolds pulls out of Bells

After blasting his knee in Hawaii late last year, Dane Reynolds surfed the Billabong Pipeline Pro in a knee-brace.He’s since undergone surgery and has spent the last coupla months on the couch, waiting for the hinge to heal. Noticeable in his absence at the Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast, Dane was hoping to make it to the Rip Curl Pro, Bells beach (though probably not as much as his adoring public and Torquay spectators were). But his manager, Blair Marlin, has just confirmed that Dane won’t be running down the stairs at Bells. Blair has been leaving Dane be to do his rehab. And other than the rehab, Dane’s just been doing his own thing at home. By the looks of things, that includes teaching himself “Louie Louie” on piano, which he put to use when he and girlfriend Courtney did an Elton John-esque musical tribute to Japan, dressed in pyjamas. Though it’s confirmed that Dane won’t be at Bells, he’s hoping to surf at the ASP Prime Nike Lowers Pro, held at Trestles in May. “He told me the other day he had been surfing a bit,” Blair told us. “So hopefully he will be back and feeling strong by May.