Xcel Signs Cooly Kid Noa Deane
Teenage shredder Noa Deane is starting to emerge from the long shadow of Coolangatta’s surfing giants to forge his own identity as a surfer of the future.
Deane, son of Snapper Rocks surfing identity Wayne Deane, has been rewarded for his progressive style by being signed to Xcel, joining fellow southern Gold Coast resident Bede Durbidge on the wetsuit brand’s surf team.
The Xcel deal comes at an exciting time for the 17-year-old natural footer, as he gears up for a hectic travel schedule culminating with an end-of-year trip to Hawaii.
“It’s unreal to be recognized and supported by sponsors, so I’m grateful that Xcel has seen something in me. I look forward to the association, particularly when I get to Xcel’s home in Hawaii later this year,” says Deane. “I have a pretty good travel schedule mapped out for me, and it includes the filming of a four-part webisode around Oz, Indo, and – all going well – Japan.”
“There’s also a plan to head to the U.S. with another sponsor, Rusty, and that cound be for a month or so. Then I want to wind up in Hawaii for the winter, so it’s a pretty full-on year.”
Deane joins a long list of world-class surfers to emerge from the Coolangatta region, an area where the lineup is dominated by a who’s-who that includes current ASP World Tour ratings leader Joel Parkinson; two-time world champion Mick Fanning; perennial contender Bede Durbidge; and up-and-coming talent including former world junior champion Jack Freestone.
“It’s great having so many good surfers in the water – it inspires you and makes you a little more creative in developing your own style,” Deane says of the quality of surfers from the southern Gold Coast.
Sasha Stocker, Xcel Australia Team Manager, says it’s Deane’s unique style – a mix of old-school carves and barrel riding with a progressive aerial act – that attracted him to the team.
“Noa has a very distinctive personality, both in and out of the water,” Stocker says. “He has a really strong creative side, and it’s going to be interesting to be a part of his journey in coming years.”
Check out Noa ripping in his new wetties over at Vimeo.
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