Cory Taylor
31
YEARS OLD
QLD
BMD NORTHCLIFFE SLSC
4th
2022/2023 SERIES
ski
STRENGTH
Stats
Bio
Originally from Gisborne in New Zealand, Cory Taylor now resides on the Gold Coast and competes professionally in surf sports for Northcliffe SLSC. Taylor started his journey through surf lifesaving at Midway SLSC and, in his early days, had the opportunity to train under legendary Kiwi IronMan Cory Hutchings, a role model that would inspire Taylor to become a Nutri-Grain IronMan. Proudly representing NZ. Taylor was crowned the World Ironman Champion at the 2022 World Lifesaving Championships in Riccione, Italy, and received a wildcard entry to the Nutri-Grain Series. Outside of IronMan competition, Taylor works as an accountant and is an avid investor with a keen eye on the stock market.
Cory, how old were you when you started surf lifesaving and why?
Signed up to nippers form a young age and haven’t looked back since. My dad competed in surf lifesaving, representing New Zealand on multiple occasions and winning a World Ski Race title in Japan, 1992. So, I think he wanted us as children to also give it a go.
Who was your hero growing up in surf lifesaving?
Cory Hutchings. Being from New Zealand, I have looked up to him my whole career. We grew up in the same small town and his achievement always inspired me.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
“If you think the price of winning is too high, wait till you get the bill of regret” – TikTok
Your advice for aspiring Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain athletes?
Keep pushing. Surf lifesaving can be a gruelling sport, the ocean determines a majority of our racing and sometimes even if you have trained as hard as you can, it doesn’t go your way, but it will. Understand and come to the terms that the excitement of not knowing how the race will go is what makes our sport so interesting.
Cory, what has been a high and a low in your IronSeries career?
High: Would be racing for my country at the World Championships.
Low: Is the feeling of not been able to race/train to the fullest because of an injury.
What do you think about during a race?
Positioning, understanding where I am in the race, who’s around me, their strengths and weaknesses and possible opportunities to further my position in the race. Trying to tell myself that I’m not actually tired, when I’m exhausted.
What do you think about on the start line?
The next step in the race process, not too far in the future just the next important part of the race.
Do you have any pets?
No, but definitely will get a dog one day.