Timmy Reyes
SURFING
Even though Timmy Reyes moved to the beach and started surfing at age 9, much later than others on tour, the West Covina born, Huntington Beach transplant has made waves on the ASP World Tour. A regular footer, Timmy flies under the radar most of the time, choosing to travel alone, and explore his private surfing spots with only his close friends. Just like the off-road prepped truck he drives, Tim is lethal and competitive anywhere in any surf.
GETTING BACK ON THE HORSE
In 2007, after a huge floater and a misplaced foot, Timmy went through a complete knee replacement including a ACL, MCL and meniscus repair. Through rehab and hard work, he made it back on tour in 2008 and had what he calls a "sleepy year". Contrary to his words, that year, Timmy still took3rd place in the 2008 Pipeline Masters, proving to the world he can compete in heavy surf, even post-injury.
Since he started surfing, Timmy has always had a huge respect for the ocean. "At least once a year I get into a scary situation and it makes me a better surfer. If you make every wave and don't get them on the head, then you had the best day, but if you pay the price for crashing, it fuels the fire to charge harder." Luckily he doesn't mind falling on waves as it gets him more and more comfortable in the water.
GROWING UP
When the Reyes family moved to Huntington Beach, they had a love for the ocean, and Timmy entered the Junior Lifeguards program. At the same time, he started playing baseball and surfing, so had a tough time also fitting in school. In high school, after he placed second in his very first competition, Timmy realized surfing was his calling and he quickly became a trophy hunting monster. Competitive even about the things he wasn't as proud of, Timmy says, "I was a bit flaky in high school but I beat the school record for days missed, 110."
Crediting his surfing skills to his driver's license, and the ability to travel around the state and Mexico when he pleased, Timmy said, "My best times have been around my home, and my favorite spots." Spending time with his good friends and mentors, helped Timmy progress faster. Timmy added that it was competing since childhood against guys like Bobby Martinez, Anthony Petruso, and Micah Byrne that made him who is he today in the water. "Those guys took a lot of trophies from me," he said laughing.
LIFE ON TOUR
Being a professional athlete is no easy task, and living out of a duffel bag makes even the most unique places tiresome. Even though he loves surfing and traveling, it still is his job and he is focused on winning. "Going through 10-12 boards at each event, to see what works is hard, and just staying focused during the two week waiting period is tough enough" says Timmy. Riding Patterson surfboards since he was 17, Tim has confidence in his equipment and loves working with a shaper with an open mind.
Timmy also has a comedic . When asked what he would be doing if he wasn't surfing, Timmy proclaimed, "I'm not a bad guy, but I'd probably be hanging out at the pier causing trouble."
The self described worst contest surfer on tour spends the majority of his time focusing his mindset and separating himself from others at contests in order to stay sharp and ready at any time. Having recently hired a coach, Timmy is working on breaking some bad habits, getting more work done, and surfing longer. All of this is helping him get to the state that he competes best in -- focused and calm. With a few years under his belt, he doesn't let the contest get into his head anymore. As long as he is feeling confident, he knows he has what it takes to beat any ranked surfer out there. "I'm kind of the loner type" Reyes said. Choosing to travel with his coach and his team manager allows him the freedom to stay in contest mode and keeps him in line.
Timmy Reyes has the total package. He is a smooth powerful surfer who loves cold water over warm water, and likes big powerful waves. There are no secrets to Tim's success so far on tour. He simply surfs hard, often and loves the sport. Growing up in Huntington Beach has taught him how to fight and scramble for waves in the crowded surf, making the man on man heat format of the WCT tour seem like an everyday surf session. With his quick thinking and fast improvisation in contest surfing, Timmy is someone to keep an eye out for on the podium, because that's likely where you will see him this year.
Timmy Reyes Scores the cover of May issue of Surfing
Timmy Reyes pulls into a big one and scores the Surfing Mag cover for May
A Look Back at a Few Fun Days on the North Shore
Here's a look back at the O'Neill team from the past winter on the North Shore.
O’Neill Team Highlights from the Pipeline Masters
Timmy Reyes Enjoying Rocky Point
Photo's courtesy of Freesurf's Mike Latronic
Timmy Reyes and Mark Mathews tackle The Bay
Pipeline Masters Highlights
John John Florence, Timmy Reyes, and Roy Powers early round highlights from the Pipeline Masters. Photos courtesy of Freesurf's Mike Latronic and Tony Heff.
Wiamea Bay
Mark Mathews and Timmy Reyes get a couple large ones at The Bay the day before the Eddie. Photos courtesy of Freesurf's Mike Latronic and Tony Heff
Finally a Pipe Day
Pipeline finally awakens. After a good month of no Pipe, the Banzai finally comes to life and the boys were on it. Cory Lopez, Timmy Reyes, Roy Powers, John John Florence, Brett Barley, and Charly Martin score some good ones. Photos courtesy of Freesurf's Mike Latronic and Tony Heff.
Jordy Smith and Timmy Reyes deep in Log Cabins
The Routine
This is part of the daily routine on the North Shore...checking the different line ups. The first image is Cory Lopez, brother Shea, and Peter Medina assessing the conditions at Pipe from the O'Neill house. The second image is Timmy Reyes checking the World Cup sunset site. Photos courtesy of Sam Olson
Log Cabins
Jordy Smith and Timmy Reyes find some open ones at Log Cabins. With most of the North Shore a mess, Log Cabin had some gems on offer. Jordy and Timmy sneak in a couple during the early morning session. Photos courtesy of Sam Olson
- When and where are you filling this out?
"In my house a few hours before leaving for Barbados
Describe your first board, how much it cost, and where you bought it from:
My first board was from my parents; 4'11" black rails, 2" thick with no rocker."
- Who got you into surfing?
"My Dad."
- How old were you when you first stood up?
"4 or 5 years old"
- What beach was it at?
"Huntington Beach"
- Describe your first tube:
"I can't describe it because my eyes were closed."
- Nickname, and how you earned it:
"Rimmy and Squirel; one was a spelling error in Surfer Mag and I don't know how I got the other one."
- Superstitions:
"None"
- Best session ever:
"Log Cabins , March 1998"
- Favorite ever board:
"Al Merrick, 5'10" that got ran over by a 1970 van."
- Best place you've ever been and why?
"Tahiti because the waves are perfect, people are nice and you don't have to travel that far."
- Best mates:
"Shawn Ward, Micah Byrne, Anthony Petruso, and all my buddies that I hang out with."
- Legends:
"Kelly Slater , Matt Archbold"
- Three favorite CD's:
"2 Pac, Sublime, Brittany Spears because she is hot!"
- Cult video:
"What?"
- Favorite surf movie and why?
"Not too sure, because all videos are good. Some are just better than others."
- Describe the most radical surfer (in and out of the water) you've ever seen:
""Archy" he freaking rips!!"