Nick Taylor
Nick Taylor has altered the face of wakeskating. Taylor's style combined with an arsenal of groundbreaking tricks has landed him on the top of the wakeskating charts. He began his rise to the top by winning Alliance Magazine's "Wakeskater of the Year" and "Move of the Year" awards in 2007. This year, Taylor went on to take Wakeboard Magazine's "Wakeskater of the Year". With more natural talent and dedication to the sport then possibly before him, Taylor is destined to be the future face of wakeskating.
2007 Alliance Magazine's "Wakeskater of the Year"
2007 Alliance Magazine's "Move of the Year"
2008 Wakeboard Magazine's "Wakeskater of the Year"
2008 Byerly Toe Jam Stop #1- Rail Champion
2008 Byerly Toe Jam Stop #2- Cable Champion
The Icon and the Phenom: Scott Byerly & Nick Taylor
Nick Taylor, an emerging force in the wakeskate scene recently
joined the legendary Scott Byerly to discuss the eclectic styles and
progression of the sport.
Spearheading the wakeskate movement, Byerly is determined to
develop quality equipment to further push wakeskating to the limits. While
Taylor is set on creating a unique riding style all his own in order to deliver
all that he can to the movement.
Much like Ying and Yang, Nick embodies the image of a clean
cut, mellowed out Islander, who is comfortable enough with himself to care
about the attitudes of others. Scott, mirrors the same repose, however inked
designs continually peek out from under his clothing. Nick's streamlined style,
next to Scott's tattoo-laden body and shaggy unkempt hair, frames the two to
appear radically different.
Nick and Scott may look like polar opposites sitting side by
side, but at the end of the day, there dedication, perseverance, and desire to
see wakeskate thrive, unites them in the their quest to enhance the sport that
they have both developed a genuine passion for.
Getting their feet wet with the warm clam waters of Florida
from a young age, Nick and Scott's roots on the Florida scene parallel at many
points.
Scott Byerly's reputation as a pivotal wakeboarding icon and
entrepreneur has defined his career, from creating the Toe Jam to building a
successful company--while Nick Taylor's career is flourishing and hitting new
highs, he frequently looks up to the iconic Byerly for guidance and insight.
Despite the fact that both are on different planes in their careers, their
significant contributions to the sport are immeasurable.
Though Nick and Scott have differing objectives to pursue
throughout their
ventures, one thing is definitely certain between them;
success for them is not measured by money or fame. For Nick and Scott, it's all about remaining loyal and
giving back to the sport that has given so much to them.
Nick Taylor Video
Check out our Wakeskate team rider Nick Taylor doing what he does best.
"When We Own The Mic"
Artist: 40 love
Album: Advantage
Visit the Band @ www.myspace.com/40lovehiphop
Nick Taylor: Behind the Scenes of FUEL TV’s “Built to Shred”
Built to Shred is the world's first build-and-ride sport show featuring the top action sports athletes. In late March, the Built to Shred crew found itself at the Carlsbad Lagoon with O'Neill's Nick Taylor. Nick is one of the top wakeskate athlete's in the world and is always looking for unique ways to showcase the sport. Working closely with Built to Shred host Jeff King, Nick helped construct the Genie Death Rail, which basically is a hand built pool to fifteen foot rail that dumps you off into the Lagoon shallows. A full day's construction of the obstacle led to the following monstrosity. Stay tune to FUEL TV to see Nick attempt to board slid the Genie…
1. Most embarrassing or funny moment?
I tend to block those out, so I can't think of any right now haha... it's usually just me saying something stupid and everyone that was laughing just stops and looks at me like "Seriously?"
2. Any favorite quote or saying?
"I'm in the mix!" You can pretty much yell it anytime the situation gets heavy or right before you do something stupid...
3. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla ice cream with peanut butter
4. Favorite destination?
Costa Rica so far... pretty much anywhere with rain forests and not a city.
5. Favorite maneuver?
Nothing like a good flicked and caught Frontside Flip
6. Celebrity crush?
The lady from the Lipozene commercials on Fuel haha- just kidding... I'm all about Keira Knightly, hot pirate chick that knows how to handle a sword... mmmmmm
7. Status (Married, single, girl friend)
SINGLE
8. Most viewed websites you visit.
Wakeskating.com, Facebook, WaterMonsters (http://water-monsters.blogspot.com/) , theBerrics.com, and AllianceWakeskate.com
9. Sounds?
Bright Eyes, The Decemberists, Elliot Smith, The Shins, Brand New, Chiodos... I've been messing around on my guitar a lot lately too
10. Who has influenced you?
I try to draw positive traits from whoever I can, but who I am is mostly the work of my parents and my friends that I grew up with on the island. My style of riding has mostly been influenced by Scott Byerly, Aaron Reed, Danny Hampson, and Thomas Horrell they are the ones who set the stage for what wakeskating has become and where it's headed. I like to "draw inspiration" from other boardsports as well, so if I feel like riding techy I'll think of a skater like Steve Berra or if I feel like flowing, I'll watch Gavin Beschen's part in Creepy Fingers before I go out and ride. Stuff like that's fun and it keeps my outlook on wakeskating open and fresh... I read a lot too, so my philosophy on life has definitely been influenced by authors like Richard Bach and Paulo Coelho.
11. Favorite wake skaters?
I already named most of the classics, but these days I enjoy watching Andrew Pastura (and Austin Pastura), Ben Horan, Clint Tompkins, and Travis Doran over anyone else...
12. What traits in the opposite sex are most attractive?
A pretty face with a genuine smile will pretty much get me every time. Other than that, I love a girl that's smarter than me with a good taste in music.
13. Worst wipeout?
Red Bull put on this event up in Canada with some heavy gap-to-rail setups, I went for the biggest one without warming up and I went off the side for a 20 ft. free fall into some bamboo stumps... I got some nice scars from it. (pic)
14. Words to live by?
"Stay True, Live Free"