Who Do You Actually Surf Like?

It’s funny how we relate to some people’s surfing more than others’.

“I grew up studying surf videos,” Dane Reynolds said on StabMic, “wanting to surf like Taylor Knox, Justin Poston, whoever.”

No one saw that coming.

Dane continued: “I don’t know who kids are looking up to now, or who they’re psyched to try to replicate.”

We tend to gravitate toward surfers with similar body types or styles, maybe because we believe we see a bit of ourselves in them.

If a surfboard test features a regular footer, goofyfooters feel unrepresented. Use a tall guy, and the short kings revolt. Go smaller, and the comments fill with height jokes. You can’t win.

When CI launched Mikey’s Shorty, Mikey was the obvious main character. But, at 6’3” and 185 pounds, he’s not exactly a universal reference point.

CI’s solution (not that Solution) was casting, and giving everybody a bit of everyone on their international team: different approaches, different styles, female, male, a full spread of sizes. From proper units like Gabe Morvil at 6’2”, 200 pounds, down to supergrom Ale Dotti at 4’5”, 73 pounds dripping wet.

Their stock dims cover a generous range, too.

Pick your avatar.