The amount of up-and-coming amateurs who excel at both vert and street skateboarding these days can be counted on a few fingers. Throw pools and the Mega Ramp into that mix and the number is even fewer. Yes, Monster’s Taylor Smith is a rare breed for sure. Three years ago, at age 11, Taylor was the youngest person to ever conquer the Mega Ramp gap. But that wasn’t the only reason he popped up on nearly everyone in the industry’s radar. From 2003 to 2006, Taylor won 40 skate contests. Yes, won… as in first place. He was named CASL’s 2005 Street Skater of the Year and was the youngest competitor ever to win a Free Flow Tour, taking out other competitors twice his age.
Now 14, which probably seems like decades ago to him, Taylor is residing in Encinitas, California. He’s traveled the world. His skating and style is maturing, he’s growing and becoming more powerful, his skills and consistency are increasing. He’s still on everyone’s “one to watch” list at contests. He’s got a heavy-hitter list of sponsors, including Monster Energy Drink, Independent Trucks, Nixon Watches and the illustrious Plan B, which was the result of skateboarding legend, Danny Way, taking early notice of Taylor’s ability and taking him under his wing. If you have Danny Way in your corner, you’re definitely doing something right. When you can jump the Mega Ramp, skate a 12-foot vert ramp and backlip a 10-stair rail, all with ease… you’re going places in skateboarding. Like many before him, Taylor doesn’t just dabble in all facets of skateboarding—he excels at all of them.
But Taylor is just scratching the surface. He may be a quiet kid but his skateboarding speaks loud and clear. Taylor is a glimpse intot he future of skateboarding—if not the future of skateboarding. Think about it: A potential competitor in every discipline of skateboarding competition? The first person to ever compete in or win medals in X Games Street, Vert and Mega Ramp? Don’t put it past Taylor. There’s no telling what he’s going to do in the coming years, but if what we’ve seen so far is any slight indication, you can bet it’ll be big.