Australian bodyboard talent Jai Taylor ready to break into professional ranks
A rising Queensland and Australian bodyboard sensation has his sights firmly set on breaking into the professional scene after taking home his first world tour victory following back-to-back national titles.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jai Taylor has quickly cemented himself as a name to remember in the rising bodyboard rankings after impressive performances at a state, national and world level.
The Sunshine Coast teenager first got into bodyboarding when he was eight-years-old, following in the footsteps of his father.
“I first grew up in Bali before we moved to the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria before quickly relocating to Peregian Beach in Queensland in 2016,” he said.
“Dad was and still is a keen bodyboarder so that’s how I got into it and then I started properly competing when I was 10-years-old.”
The now 17-year-old Sunshine Beach State High School student has picked up back-to-back Australian titles, winning the under-16 division in 20222 and the under-18s in 2023.
Following his two-time Australian crown, Taylor recently took home his first junior world tour victory after a series of impressive performances at the Maldives Pro.
“That’s been my biggest win so far and it was just the best feeling ever,” he said.
“I got food poisoning in the first few rounds of the competition but I was luckily better by the last few days.
“I went in just hoping to win a few rounds but to walk away the winner really was mind blowing.
“The competition was really hard against the best juniors in the world.”
Taylor said he now hoped to continue his red hot form at Fronton in the Canary Islands in October.
“I want to win the junior world title and then long term I want to be the men’s world champion,” he said.
“I’m trying to crowdfund and find sponsorship to help me get to the Canary Islands as it’s a really expensive trip but any support would be amazing.”
To donate to Taylor’s journey click here.
Taylor thanked his family, friends, sponsors and the Sunshine Coast Bodyboard club for all of their ongoing support.
Emerging Reds Cup: Who starred on day 1? Find out here
Emerging Reds Cup: Queensland’s next-up rugby top guns were glimpsed at Ballymore Stadium today. The top pictures, moments and players are highlighted here from day one as SEQ make a stunning statement.
Battered, bruised, depleted: How Beerwah claimed historic 2024 premiership
Not even torn hamstrings and dislocated shoulders could stop the Bulldogs from winning back-to-back A-grade premierships after one of the gutsiest and grittiest performances in Sunshine Coast rugby league history. Go inside their unbelievable rollercoaster season.