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A spinal cord injury and 20 years out of the ocean have not stopped a North Coast surfer winning the Australian Para Surfing Titles.
Key points:
- Joel Taylor has used a wheelchair since a surfing injury in 2001
- He says his children inspired him to get back in the water after two decades
- He has won a para surfing title and is set to compete internationally
Joel Taylor, 42, of Lennox Head, secured the Australian Title at Port Macquarie at the weekend after three decades of dedication.
"I started competing when I was 12 years old and had an accident when I was 21 years old and did not go into the ocean for 20 years," Mr Taylor said.
"I started surfing again only 12 months ago and finally got my Australian title 30 years later."
The Australian Para Surfing Titles celebrate remarkable athletic prowess and the indomitable spirit of people who overcome challenges to excel in the sport.
Exceptional talent
Commentator for the event and Taylor's former coach, Teza McKenna, said he signed the young body boarder on at the age of 14 after witnessing his water skills.
"Joel was an excellent body boarder and had the world in front of him until his life changing accident in Hawaii," Mr McKenna said.
Taylor suffered a severe back injury in a freak accident at Hawaii's Banzai Pipeline in 2001 that left him in a wheelchair.
He said he still remembered being hit by a powerful, large wave.
"It was the first big swell of the season and I caught the first wave of the set and there was no water on the reef," he said.
"I just got into the barrel when I hit the shock wave."
He said he landed with his feet on the reef and the wave crashed on him.
"I was underwater and realised straight away what had happened," he said.
"I was washed to shore and the rest is history."
He said he lost his love for the ocean after the accident.
"I just lost interest in surfing," he said.
Returning to the waves
But becoming a father to two sons got him back in the water, and in a position to win the prone division at the national titles.
"I wanted to give my sons the same lifestyle I had as a child growing up near the beach and enjoying nature so I got back into the water," he said.
"It felt natural to be back surfing."
Taylor said he starting training again and was grateful for the support of fellow athletes.
"Everyone has your back and it is a great community to be in," he said.
The support continued when he won the title.
"As soon as I came out of the water everybody was just so stoked for me," he said.
"It was really so special."
Mr McKenna said it was a special moment to be a part of Taylor's win.
"I nearly cried as I have known Joel for so long and this Australian title is another life changing moment for him," he said.
Taylor is next due to compete in the ISA World Championships at Huntington Beach in November.
"I am pretty proud of myself. It is always something I have dreamed of," said Mr Taylor.
His former coach is confident he can win the World Title.
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