Is The Wavepool Generation Upon Us?
Zacky Taylor airs by example in Japan.
Nothing like a 9-year-old to check your ego.
When the first footage of the Makinohara Shizunami wavepool dropped in 2021, with Evan Geiselman landing greasy rotations, you could tell something special was coming out of Japan.
The sections were literally built for big airs. But I did not expect a 9-year-old kid to be launching (and landing) off them. Enter Zacky Taylor, who has once again raised the bar for what elementary school children can do on a surfboard. Riding what looks to be a 3-foot Channel Islands, Zacky demonstrates pinpoint poise with a few snap stalls and re-entries before hitting several lofty, Stab High-worthy straight airs.
Between Zacky and 12-year-old surf/snow queen Patti Zhou, one can’t help but wonder if this next generation of surfers, raised from an early age on diet of wavepools, might become the most technically proficient we’ve seen. I’m not talking about flow, style or a nuanced understanding of hydrodynamics, just the ability to check off every maneuver on demand. Chippa Wilson didn’t grow up with perfect sections on tap, and look at his skill set today.
But don’t fret, saltwater purists. Zacky, who spends his time between San Clemente and Hanalei, knows how to handle non-chlorinated juice, too.
Comments
Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.
Already a member? Sign In
Want to join? Sign Up