Reel Talk: Taro Watanabe

Taro Watanabe is a surfer you remember. The Malibu local has a style that blends several classic approaches together into a strong, polished presentation groomed by California’s long slow righthand point breaks. And he’s put in enough time up the coast in Ventura and beyond to show plenty of beachbreak spark. If you saw his performance last month at Steamer Lane you know.

We’ve been watching Taro for a few years now thanks to Brad Gerlach. He told us about Taro and we’ve been a huge fan since day one. His approach to surfing is mesmerizing to watch and he’s been working with Brad and practicing the Wave-Ki method for many years and the results are starting to show on the big stages — like a runner up finish at the O’neill Cold Water Classic last month and a seat on the Challenger Series moving forward.

We caught up with Taro to meet the dude behind the style…and for you fans of style — Curren, Parko, Conner, Reynolds — you’ve got your new guy. —Travis