“Goodbye Quik. It’s been real.” Photo: WSL
At only 17 years old, Dane signed with Quiksilver. It was 2003, and Dane was still very much a grom. He probably didn’t know it at the time, but he would soon be recognized as one of the best surfers in the world—second to none other than the champ Kelly Slater. Throughout his 12-year partnership with Quik, Dane did wonderful things for company. Groms and old folks alike were lining up out the doors at surf shops to buy his boardies. But like the late, great Geoffrey Chaucer once said, “All good things must come to an end.”
Back in 2011, Dane renewed his contract with Quik for another six years up until 2017, on a deal that was making him a little over $3 million. A handsome paycheck indeed, but with the company’s recent filing for Chapter 11 and subsequent restructuring, the terms and conditions were allowed to be changed. Consequently, Dane decided it was in his best interests to file for divorce from Quik. This news comes just a year and half after Kelly Slater decided a similar fate.
But as sad as we all are to see Dane with a naked board, there’s still one question that’s on everyone’s mind: What will he do next? Will he follow in the footsteps of Kelly and carry on his own project with Summer Teeth, or even Marine Layer Productions? He certainly has the clout to make something of his own work out. There is, however, a rumor going around the interwebs that claims Dane will be sporting Vans full-time with a contract in the $2 million+ range. Still, rumors are rumors. Whatever he decides, there’s one thing that’s certain: Dane will continue being the most ripping dad out there.
Dane may be leaving Quik, but not before making one last commercial (dropped last week):
