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Dane Reynolds Just Sponsored An Ageless Tasmanian Freesurfer

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Jan 24, 2025 5:49 PM ET

To borrow a phrase from the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, Dion Agius will not go gentle into the good night. The 39-year-old Tasmanian has been an elite surfer since he erupted onto the scene in Kai Neville’s “Modern Collective” 16 years ago. And he’s still getting after it today.

Sorry if that dated anyone reading this. But it goes to show Dion’s remarkable longevity. He’s still got spring in those bones. Case in point, Former just signed the career freesurfer who’s starred in groundbreaking surf films like Lost Atlas, Dear Suburbia, and Year Zero. The apparel company founded by Dane Reynolds, Craig Anderson and Austyn Gillette has added Dion to an eccentric roster that includes Matt Hoy, Shaun Manners, Jay Davies and Benjamin Howard.

The news comes in the guise of Dion’s “Sponsor Me” tape, a nod to how skaters pitch companies with a video compilation of their tricks. Though it’s unlikely that’s actually how Dion’s deal came about, considering he’s tight with Dane and Craig, it does add a humorous context to the piece. Especially with Dane watching it on an actual VCR tape (they have one at the Chapter 11 TV HQ in Ventura).

Staged or not, Dion makes a compelling pitch. Pulling from archival clips and contemporary sessions, he reminds us that his bag runs deep. He’s a creative, surfer who’s been filing it to the flats since aughts.

If you were a devout surf mag reader from years prior, you’ll recognize the waves of the United Arab Emirates wavepool that Dion so stylishly slayed in “Electric Blue Heaven.” That’s right, Dion surfed Middle Eastern wavepools more than a decade before the UAE built a Kelly Slater pool. The dude was ahead of his time.

Dion’s always had a creative spark and could provide input on the company’s future apparel. For now, enjoy his mixtape and blast that nostalgic rock music.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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