Fantasy Surfer Interview With Taylor Knox
(Sunday, March 28, 2010)
Californian Taylor Knox has been travelling to the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach longer than almost any surfer currently on the ASP World Tour. Fantasy Surfer checked in with him to get his perspective on the upcoming Bells event and see what his frame of mind is like for the upcoming season.
Bells seems to favor to more seasoned surfers. As someone who has surfed this event more times than the rest of the field, what factor does that play into winning at Bells?
I feel like it does favor the guys that have surfed it a bunch. Just because the wave can be tricky to surf and it changes like the weather with the tides. Four seasons in one day!
What changes in equipment will you make for Bells? Thicker boards? Longer?
I’m using the same bottom on all my boards but I have brought down a couple of pintails for step-up boards, which I’ve liked out there in the past. I have two swallowtails, two squashtails, and two pintails.
How many boards are you bringing with you to Bells? Lots of Fort Knox shapes?
I’ve got 7 down here with me and the’re all Fort Knox models with different sizes and shapes. I’ve been really happy with my boards this year. I’ve spent the last year really dialing them in, and it’s paying off.
Does fitness take a bigger role at Bells? Each year, there is always a competitor or two that just seems completely exhausted during their heat – does Bells kick your butt more than other venues?
Well, Bells is a long wave and is off-speed so sometimes your wiping off speed and other times you have to generate your own [speed]. By the time you hit the shorebreak, it’s like a 150 yard paddle back – not to mention it has a current working against you.
Do you do anything to specially prepare for this event?
Not really, because I know this wave pretty well. It does feel like some waves from home and it’s easy to warm up in Cali for it.
Who are you traveling with for this event? Family? Friends?
I came down here by myself but Mick [Fanning] is staying in the same place, so I’m sure we’ll be having some surfs together. The Graham family are close friends of mine and they have operated the Moonlight glassing factory down here for 30yrs or more, so I like to hang with them and see my friend Xavier Rudd.
What is a typical lay-day for you like at Bells? Anything that you feel like you must do / visit while you’re there?
A typical day usually starts early down here, to get a surf in and maybe a workout. Rip Curl puts us up in a nice hotel that has a gym and pool – which is nice. It’s really beautiful down here, and you can drive down the coast to some beach breaks and get away from the scene.
Are you feeling any added pressure this year with the drop from 45 to 32 surfers at mid year?
I’m not putting any pressure on myself. All I can do is go out and surf my best. I’m looking forward to this year, and that really isn’t on my mind, but it has people talking about something new, which I guess is good.
