7th January 2007 Sean Tickner
Al Taylor has been a stalwart of both the local and International Bodyboarding scene for many years, a highly competitive and driven bodyboarder, he's now shifted his focus to the shaping and manufacturing of precision, top class Bodyboards, namely ATD (Al Taylor Designs)
The best way to find out how this well-rounded bodyboarder and devoted family man ticks is to get to know both the rider and shaper inside of him.
The MAN - Al Taylor
Full name, age and years riding:
Alistair Taylor, age 33, bodyboarding since the pleistocene era.
Your Best result as a professional bodyboarder:
Well I've had quite a few wins, but was probably more stoked with some of my performances at the pipe comp in the years with the really big surf - I didn't win the contest, but I won some important heats and made a bit of an impression on people, which was cool.
You have been a part of the global bodyboarding scene for many years, what has been your most memorable experience so far:
Probably just some of the good waves I have had around the world - I got to surf some pretty epic stuff, and while living in Hawaii had a few surfs out at big, un-crowded Pipe that were amazing.
You are better known as an extremely competent rider, what made you branch out and start shaping:
I didn't really intend to get into the surf market, but when I came across this new core material I am using and gave it a whirl, I thought that it had amazing potential - and the fact that nobody is using it, I thought I might be able to find a niche market for it. The actual shaping I learned many years ago, which I started just for fun and to be able to make a board for myself.
What are your goals for the future?
I'd really like to compete in the pipe contest again, but of course this time on my own board. I know it sounds like purely marketing, but I reckon this core material makes for a really fast board, so I can't even imagine how well it'd go in Hawaii with so much speed and power on tap.
Other than that, just to stay involved with bodyboarding and help the sport grow here in SA, and try to grow my own company - I have some design ideas too that might really push the envelope.
Where do you see S.A Bodyboarding in the future?
Well, if we can get a world tour event on here, we might start to catch up with Australia and Brazil and Europe - we have the potential, but I think our isolation from the rest of the world of bodyboarding is holding us back from producing a crop of future world champions.
Favourite spot?
Probably pipe if you take out the crowd factor - but hard to beat for perfection and high performance bodyboarding.
Inspiration?
I get inspiration from a lot of people that do incredible things, like Occy's comeback in surfing, Lance Armstrong etc.....but above all my inspiration to keep pushing forward comes from Jesus Christ and my faith in God.
Favourite Rider?
Hubb for his air antics, and in the girls, my wife of course!
Who do you think is pushing the boundaries in S.A Bodyboarding at the moment?
There are a host of good riders actually - Daniel Worsley would be one, Jared Houston....have not seen that much of Adam Morley's surfing but I know he does some big stuff...a few of the north beach crew are ripping too. I don't know, I'm sure there are guys out there that just rip but I haven't really seen them surfing - it's like that everywhere.
The VISION - ATD (Al Taylor Designs)
The Shaping and Manufacturing is all done by Al, a 45min drive inland from Durban at a factory in Pietermaritzburg. Each bodyboard is handmade, with the pure wave- riding knowledge of Al going directly into the shaping of every single board. This isn't a cheap, mass-produced board, it's a little piece of Al and all his years of charging some of the heaviest and most critical waves in the World!
When did you start shaping bodyboards?
Back in the early 90s, but then there was a really long period where I didn't do any shaping at all.
What is your vision for ATD?
More about making a really high performance board than about selling lots of boards. Right now the boards are hard to make anyway, so I can't make a lot - which means not everyone is going to be able to get one. But so far those that have gotten one are loving them.
You are using materials that we haven't really seen here in S.A (such as the X-Cell core), why, and what are the improvements?
The X-cell core is just what I dubbed the stuff myself, like with most any product name in bodyboard materials - for me, what I like about the core is its buoyancy, which seems to make it paddle nicely and have heaps of good trim speed - and its durability - even after busting lots of big moves on it, it has an amazing resilience towards creasing. It also maintains its rocker, whereas many other cores tend to either go banana or reverse over time.
You have a range of Boards out at the moment, namely the ATD SPEED MERCHANT SERIES, ATD RAIL 2 RAIL SERIES, KARLA COSTA TAYLOR PRO MODEL and THE SNAP! , where did you get the shapes from:
The shapes are basically just from my experience of trying different designs over the years. Karla's board is just based on her own preference. And with the SNAP, I don't DK, but my business partner Jaco is really a DK fanatic, so most of the shape input there was from him. I draw up the designs on the computer for accuracy.
Do you ride a Custom Shape or a Stock Board?
I have mostly been riding the Speed Merchant 42 regular tail, though recently and at SA champs I was riding a test board, which I might bring to market soon - it has a wider nose and higher wide point, so it's a very prone-specific shape - but it seems really fast down the line.
What does ATD have in store for the future?
Hopefully some really innovative concepts and designs with bodyboards, within the next year or so. And once the company grows, some more direct involvement and support of the bodyboarding scene.
What market are you primarily aiming for?
The high end market, riders with an awareness of what makes a good board, and who want to ride the best performing boards on the market.
What has been the biggest learning experience with ATD?
Basically I'm just learning a lot about business, which is good. I don't have a uni degree or any education in business, but the real-world experiences teach you a lot too, so it's pretty interesting.
Who do you think is the best Bodyboard shaper at the moment?
I don't really know, there are several really good shapers out there in the world today, and I have only ever worked with one or two of them. I guess the proof is in the pudding, so the board quality will reflect how good the shaper is.
Last words?
Thanks for the opportunity to do the interview, and good luck to any other aspiring board makers in SA - it's great to see our market continuing to evolve and develop.
Thanks Sean...
Al
The Boards - TESTING
The ATD Speed Merchant Model
Board Pilot: Stuart Bradford
Available in 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43" lengths
5,495 views
![]() | s g 16th January 2007 18:24 |
I have been riding a Speed Merchant for a couple of months now, maybe since September but cant really remember to be honest. This board kicks ass and is by far the best board for me. Unfortunalty it took a pounding at Anchor Point in Morocco when my leash snapped in massive seas and while I was struggling to swim in the Speed Merchant was being bounced up and down over the sharpest most jagged rocks I have ever seen, the board though still rocks and I am saving for yet another to replace my beloved broken ATD Speed Merchant. | |
![]() | Darryn Stephen 16th January 2007 17:32 |
Well, my mind is made up for what board to get next! Rode my brothers Speed merchant and it was a sick board- light, fast- perfect for busting big | |
![]() | Gareth White 7th January 2007 22:59 |
Thanks Al for all the hard work, your passion and your down right ripping! You are a true inspiration to us all...not only with your surfing, but in how much you want the sport to develope and grow to meet it's full potential here in S.A... Keep ripping, representing and being a role model... Peace Ele... | |