Joel Taylor

Joel Taylor

Lead of Beyond the Break

An up-and-coming professional bodyboarder, Joel Taylor’s career was cut short in 2001 when a spinal cord injury at Pipeline, Hawaii left him paralysed. For over two decades he stayed away from the ocean, remaining connected to the sport he loved from the sidelines as founder of the iconic clothing brand Unite. Inspired by his two young sons, Joel eventually discovered para surfing and began a remarkable comeback.

In 2023, just a year after his return to the ocean, Joel became a World Para Surfing Champion – fulfilling a dream he had held since childhood. Today, he balances life as an athlete, father, and entrepreneur, sharing his story to champion resilience, perseverance, and to inspire others to step outside their comfort zones.