ASK TAYLOR: WHO'S YOUR STOKE TEAM?

TK on his three surfing heroes, AI's return to the Tour and more

You mentioned that Curren, Slater, and Fanning represent your stoke team (See here). I was curious whether you might be able to expound on exactly which aspects of these surfers' technique you seek to emulate. -- Dan

TK's style-guide Tom Curren, standing around in a French tube. Photo: Sylvain Cazeneve

TAYLOR:
Well, each one of those guys has a great all-around approach, so it's kinda like taking a page out of their book. Curren was my hero when I was growing up. He was someone that just surpassed people with his style and speed. It was amazing how he could read the ocean. But what was really incredible was that he could go out in any kind of surf, whether it was big Sunset or a two-foot beachbreak and rip the crap out of it. Then he backed it up on land with his humbleness.

Kelly came along and was more driven than anyone I've seen in surfing as far as making it a study. He had more explosive turns and the boards changed a lot as well. Surfing just changed in a new direction with the narrow and thin boards. He was kind of a cross between Martin Potter and Curren. Surfing wouldn't be where it's at today without his influence. He also put himself out there more on a public level than Tom.

With Mick, speed is the thing that sticks out the most but, again, this is someone that works really hard on his craft. With the help of his coach, Phil, they have developed his surfing around what he does best -- quickness and power. That's the thing that sets him apart from other guys, plus the fact that he's enjoying the journey and people feel that from him. He's not one of those guys who acts too cool for school. He's a people person and that comes from appreciation of where he came from.

TK, stoked to be on the North Shore. Photo: Sean Rowland

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What can you do to battle peaking, plateauing, or getting stuck in a rut in surfing? Some days I surf well and other days I can barely do a roundhouse. -- Jonathan

TAYLOR:
I guess it's about finding what works for you -- I've tried in the past to find that secret formula. I try to keep it down to a couple basic things like getting warmed up with some exercises in the morning before I paddle out. Everyone knows where they have stiffness. If I'm going to surf for a long time, I usually eat something like oatmeal or yogurt and fruit just because I hate being full when I paddle.

As long as you have touched on those things then I would say that consistency comes from where your head is...or isn't. A lot of times, a surf can go bad when you're thinking about other things while your out there, so I try to do the "Practice," which is a great meditation that I learned from Ron Rathbun. It only takes about 10 minutes but it's made a big difference with my surfing when I want to paddle out with a clear head.

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I know you had severe back problems and surgery when you were younger. I'm 22 and have been battling back problems/sciatica for about a year. The MRI showed I had a herniated disk. I got surgery three months ago, but I still can't surf and am in a good deal of pain. Any suggestions or advice from your experiences or the experiences of other pro surfers? -- T.J.

TAYLOR:
Yeah, I did have major back surgery when I was 15. It was my L5 and it slipped out to what they call a Grade 4. I can only tell you what worked for me. Since it was my lower back, I just figured that stretching my hamstrings a lot would take some pressure off my back. (Remember, I was 15 with no exercise experience.)

Now I work with a great Chiropractor and Acupuncturist regularly, not because I'm in pain but more to keep it away! I don't wait until I'm hurt to see someone. But in your case, I would research someone with a serious sports background or maybe find out where the top athletes go in your area. If you're ever going to spend money on something, it should be your health.

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My question is about 'pro' surfing and the business that it is. Do you think pro surfing elevates surfers into a more positive spiritual pathway for life? Honestly Taylor, how do you compare a Picasso to a Jimi Hendrix? This 'meathead' mentality in surfing is lame. -- Soulman

TAYLOR:
No, I can't say that pro surfing has put my life on a spiritual pathway. To me spiritual awareness comes from spending time with your own thoughts -- kinda like when you lay in bed at night and you're stuck with your own thoughts and no one can help you as much as you can help yourself. Surfing can definitely put you in amazing places in nature where just the appreciation of it all is spiritual.

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What do you think about Andy Irons rejoining the tour next year? -- German

TAYLOR:
Well, it's going to be interesting to watch Andy next year because there are some new faces on tour that weren't there before. There's no doubt that he has the ability to do well in all conditions; he's already proven that. It's definitely going to add some spice to the tour because Andy's go-for-broke attitude is fun to watch! Only time will tell...


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What else do you want to know? Everyone is encouraged to ask Taylor questions in the comments below. Or, if you're shy, you can email right here.