“My goal is to be the David Beckham of surfing,” Reubyn Ash tells me. He’s got better teeth than most English, but I’m still not sure what he means. I don’t really watch soccer. Or, uh, football. But that’s just beginning of things I don’t understand.
Reubyn has a surfboard worth a million dollars. He’s just landed an aerial that no one’s ever seen. And he calls other European pros “bloody boring.”
“But don’t print that,” he tells me.
He’s drinking a Monster Energy drink. His eyes are bright and excited. Back in England he’s something of a nature boy. Local hippie. Save the whales. He writes off competitive surfing, but he’s also won every division of the UK tour and twice been European champion. Back in Cornwall, he’s kind of a big deal. But out in the rest of a world, well, as Reubyn puts it, “They couldn’t take a piss.” So Reubyn’s trying to find another means of accomplishing his goal. I dig deeper:
“Can I see your million-dollar surfboard?”
“No.”
“How about just a picture of it.”
“Sorry, I can’t. I’m not supposed to ruin the surprise.”
“Okay. Well, what’s a million-dollar surfboard look like?”
“It’s got art on it.”
“Art?”
“You know, colors and shit. Innit.”
“What makes it worth a million dollars then?”
“The art was painted by Damien Hirst,” he says. “He’s pretty much the highest paid artist in the world right now. The guy writes his name with a pen that pen becomes worth a thousand quid.”
“What’s a quid?”
Reubyn says stuff like “innit” and “cup a tea.” He has “quids” in his pockets. He kinda sounds like Ali G., but maybe that’s because I don’t know any English surfers.
“So what is this maneuver you invented?” I ask.
“I can’t tell you,” he says.
Wow, this interview is really going nowhere.
SURFING: Who’s the second most famous freesurfer in Europe — after yourself?
Reubyn Ash: No one. There’s no one else doing this.
What do you mean by “the David Beckham of surfing?”
I want to be a household name in Europe. Surfing’s getting bigger than just the brands, and I think the high-performance stuff if what people want to see, innit? Beckham wasn’t necessarily the best surfer — he just had that one goal in the World Cup. The rest was just good marketing.
And you can accomplish that through freesurfing?
I do contests, too. But in Europe especially, it’s all just three turns to the beach. No one’s doing any tricks. But I did two comps last year.
But you won’t qualify for the tour doing two events?
I don’t want to qualify for the tour. Look how many amazing surfers have had to change their repertoire to satisfy the judges. They’re not doing rodeos on tour. It’s still just three to the beach.
What about the new judging format?
But it’s not really changed the now, has it? You know it hasn’t. Contest surfing is great is you want to make heaps of money. But I just want to be more innovative. That’s more my cup of tea.
You don’t want heaps of money?
I want to be successful doing things my own way. Guys like Tiago and Jeremy Flores, they’re great at surfing heats. They train. They’ve got a good mindset. But no one is popping in a video to watch them surf. They’re not doing anything like Julian or Jordy. But then in a heat those guys have to hold back. If you watch Dane paddle out for an hour-long freesurf, he’s going to blow your mind. But if you watch him surf a heat…well, he’ll probably still blow your mind, but he won’t make the heat.
So what do you do? Save the whales? Start a band? Pretend to be half-horse?
[chuckles] Yeah, to be a freesurf, you’ve got to have a niche. But I’ve got one. And that’s why I’m doing thing like this Damien Hirst board.
Have you actually surfed your million-dollar board?
I wish I could, but I can’t. We’re going to auction it off for charity. Raising money for Friends of the Earth Foundation.
So you are saving the dolphins. What are you gonna call your band?
Yeah, right.
Don’t you just want to find out surfing on a million dollars feels like?
I do, but how do you explain it if you snap it?
After much prodding, Reubyn tells me about his trick that no one’s ever pulled. But of course, I promised not to tell anyone else. He’s saving it up to make a big impression on next month’s Innersection and, I must say, it’s pretty impressive. In the meantime, watch this clip of a few of his recent waves and you’ll get an idea what he’s capable of. Pretty amazing, for a European. —Nathan Myers
UPDATE:
Thanks to some keen commenters who directed us to the video of the “secret” trick in question (read more below) — the “Reubyo.” It’s a frontside rodeo. Imagine it without the whitewater rafting at the end and you’re sweet:
Related Posts
Reubyn Ash // United Emirates Wave Pool // 3:50
posted by SURFING Magazine / Video / September 11, 2012
You Are Here: Fred Netzband-Miller, Tsurvivor
posted by Nathan Myers / Blogs, Editorial / May 5, 2011
He lost everything in the tsunami…and gained perspective
Clark Foam Shuts Down: SurfingTheMag.com Viewers Weigh In With Their Opinions
posted by admin / News / December 21, 2005
Wow. Can’t say we didn’t ask for this one. A few weeks ago, we asked you the viewers what you [...]
But seriously folks, what is the deal with British people?! They’ve got bad teeth, their money has funny names and they call soccer “football!?” Newsflash: That name is already taken!
This article would SLAY at the Improv…in 1986.
‘pretty amazing, for an european’ ???c’mom, if it was an australian or american u guys would be calling him the next dane reynolds
While he is ahead of the curve in the progression of surfing, his foundation for power and using the rail was completely overlooked. Watch the vid. Not once did this kid do a proper turn. Not to mention he’s cocky as hell. Maybe he talks down the three to the beach because he can only do one to the beach.
He’s amazing, for an irrelevant Englishman.
i was thinking worst thing ever till i saw the surfing… dude kiiillllzzz
Pretty amazing writing for an uneducated, American Seppo.
Yeah, kid rips. English version of chippa, but not as good….No turns all airs and lanky. And D, he is no where near the next dane reynolds.
Didn’t go backside one time, not one solid turn only flicky rotations, but great in the air… I guess if Dion Fagius can make a career out of it then why can’t this guy?
i thought he had a few nice roundhouse cuttys,
He’s good but he’s no one!
You got cocky surfers like Bruce and Sunny but those guys are allowed to be cocky because of who they are and what they do. This guy is already talkin bad about other surfers like Jeremy Flores that’s not gonna make him any new friends very fast.
I live in Cornwall and can vouch for the fact he can surf on a rail and ride the tube but his ego and badmouth really does ruin the effect he was looking for with the clip. Be humble!!!
Jeremy Flores has no repertoire. That is a fact.
Why would you need friends that surf like its 1999?
Flores, Kling, Buchan, Knox…barely get above the lip.
Less of them & more Reubyn.
I will watch Martin Potter, Curren, Occy, Ross Williams footage if I want power.
Some pretty good airs in that vid, but, my god, such arm flapping bad style. Clean up the style & throw some more power into those turns & he would definitely turn more heads….
hit the lip pussy
trust me, this guy is an underdog even in europe and NEVER the most famous freesurfer here. the most famous freesurfer would probably be benjamin sanchis( teahupoo charger and billabong xxl participant etc. …) i respect reubyn for his airs and doing progressive edge but to claim that there´s no other one freesurfing like him ( see first question) doesn´t help and will further the impression that he´s cocky…and god, he is cocky. his rail game is a joke and every gromsearch/ king of the groms participant surfs with more power and rail. so Reubyn, know your place in the business and step back
Impressive because he’s from the uk, however here in oz we have guys that surf as good as that at nearly every beach and often with no stickers on their boards.
at least, he’s honest.
hahaha “pretty amazing for a european” that was funny.
the final wave is that a backflip??! HShit
The best skimboarder in all of Europe!
can he go right or do anything with power?
First met Reubyn in the water, and the guy really does shred on a high level (just watch the video). But seriously: name your three favorite European freesurfers. That’s the point here.
Hoping to see Reubyn make a splash with his Innersection this week, but we never really know till we see ‘em.
Nathan Meyers a photographer,writer, team manager, filmer, a all around douche bag.
If you think this guy cant go backhand or do full rail turns then watch his extended vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y_phiffhJA see for yaself…this pom fkn shreds…
just like chippa no turns shit waves bla bla bla so boring. mix it up do a power turn. who cars about a million dollar surfboard, not what surfing is about.
we should stop calling free surfers “Free surfers”, and contest surfers “surfers”. the ones that are free are the real surfers, the contest surfers are lame. now we are at a surfing civil war were free surfers are rebelling against competitive surfers. i like it brake out the logs and the alias, twin fins etc. were in it for fun and love, not to find out who can do the most tricks.
sincerely, Rebells
When is the next Chas Smith article?
I’m not sure if he’s my favorite surfer or my least favorite… any way innersections s on haha
Okay tough guy, here they are:
3.) Gony Zubizaretta – Not sure I’ve ever seen him surf, but does hands down the sickest airs of anyone on the planet (named Gony).
2.) Carwyn Williams – Remember this guy? He was from Wales. Pretty cool.
1.) Freddie Meadows – Never seen him surf either, but he’s from Sweden so I’m guessing he fucking rips.
That was easy.
*yawn* He won’t be the big guy to come out of europe, but the one after will. That surfer will cite him as inspiration/favorite surfer. Gotta prove shit before you claim, nuff said
I like Ariel’s list, except that two of the three may not actually exist (well, one “not sure”) and the other long ago retired. So, it’s kinda proving my point.
I’d be keen to see more from Meadows and Gony…but where are they? Well, that’s why we made Innersection. Bring it on. Looking forward to Ash and Albee’s section next week.
I Love it when people shoot down others for being ambitious. What You afraid of? What if Reubyn Ash becomes the Daivd Beckham of surfing? How does that diminish any one of us in any way?
David Beckham is a twat. Damien Hirst is irrelevant.
Where does that leave Bude’s village idiot?
he rips you should agree! He is regularly landing MASSIVE airs! All the top boys are doing this now.. He is coming across as very cocky but I feel that the interviewer had an opinion on the english right from the start and it has come across just as stong!! and the english invented football! they called it football!
Gerhard, get out of here — you’re not allowed to be positive and insightful on the web. This is a place for our unchecked jealousy and rage, okay. Beat it, hippie.
any new photos of Chas Smith drinking wine?
where is he?
i am homo.
**********************NEW TRICK IS HERE*********************
http://magicseaweed.com/New-Trick-The-Reubyo!–Content/3183/
DO RESEARCH CUNT
Reubyn IS cocky, but he also surfs better than the interviewer and all these commenters put together.
Check this: http://surferspath.mpora.com/video/invent-trick.html
Pretty sure this is the trick he is talking about
http://youtu.be/tNR37q8OXDM
so what hes just rich enough to go on trips to indo all the time and actually get waves? fuck that
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNR37q8OXDM&feature=youtu.be
If this is the trick he’s working on, it just makes him seem like a worse human than he already seemed. He’s basically doing a frontside rodeo and named it after himself. Heinous. Even kerr regrets naming the kerrupt flip after himself.
This guy needs to quit surfing, he comes off as a total piece of shit.
Its amazing . If you go find someone who’s knows Reubyn in person I think you will be surprised at what they have to say. This is typical of someone trying to hold him back. Nathan I have to say I am disappointed.
Please everyone open your eyes just a little. but like they say all publicity is good publicity.
Thanks for your time, Reub’s brother joss.
This guy surfs sick. End of story.
I bet none of you can do an air or turn harder… Otherwise you’d have a sponsor and would be surfing now… So shut the fuck up and let the guy do his shit.. u haters! U surf better than the dude? so you’re allowed to talk shit.. you don’t? so keep it to yourself and go practice. Fuckers!
it doesnt count if u ride it out on your stomach like a dick dragger…. u cant call that frontside rodeo the reubyo…. and u cant invent something thats already been done
Dude rips. Cant wait to see his innersection
Anybody ever proofread these articles/interviews? God my poor eyes…
I agree it’s a bit early to name it if you haven’t quite pulled it (Roobs premature epostulated). But I don’t know of anyone who’s done this air yet, Kiron. Do you? I think the rule stands that first guy to land it gets to name it (although, “frontside rodeo” would probably have been met with less hostility), innit.
no air haters, there would never be critics in any sports if we went by that logic…So kindly shut the fuck up. Alot of guys can rip like this and are unsponsored, its sad he can’t let his surfing do the talking and has to market himself with a million dollar board. Nuff said.
wow. hes deffo made himself sound like a twat thats for sure, the whole reason people notice him is the fact hes english/european its his niche in my eyes coz there are a lot of people doing what hes doing in oz/usa/brazil. BUT you cant say he doesnt rip at what he does. and look at how many peoples attention he has grabbed. must be that clever marketing he was going on about. BRAVE!!
If this is Euro standard for shreddings then B4L is moving to Europe. At my homebreak, Brazzo groms are pulling airs with more style 6 months after they starts surfing. Let Reuben do trip down here and run his mouth. He won’t last more than a day.
Brazzo 4 Life