bio

Karla Costa Taylor started her life in sport at a very young age, encouraged by her mother Maria Helena Costa, a veteran swimming Champion. By age 5, she was competing in swimming at her school and in clubs. From Ballet, Tap, Synchronized swimming, Swimming and Gymnastics , this girl did them all with great attitude and courage. However an allergy to the chlorine left her unable to continue her pursuits in the swimming pool. She loved Synchronized Swimming, but the doctor told her to stop, or shift focus to another sport. Eventually her mom had the idea to take her and her younger brother to try a new and different sport called bodyboarding. First she tried bodysurfing, and finally got a new board and caught her first waves on a bodyboard.

She immediately fell in love with the sport and the ocean. Her and her brother Luis Claudio Costa where hooked. Her brother was her best friend and best surfing buddy. He would advise her, coach her, and inspire her to always surf like a guy. At the age of 15 she then started to do contests throughout Rio de Janeiro/Brasil.

Her first event didn't go all that well - she was so nervous that she almost forgot how to catch a wave. She lost and was devastated. At that time, her mom told her not to give up and try again next time. So she entered another contest and finished 3rd in the beginners division, which at that time, had the best female bodyboarders in the World.

From the Beginners division to Amateur to Pro, she conquered every division she competed in. Her smooth and radical style was her trademark. Her determination set her apart from the rest, and her graceful attitude outside the water would shock fans. Her best compliments came from the best bodyboarders in the world. Things like "she surfs like a guy" or "she is so radical and fast". For Karla these were great compliments, but she never let that affect what she had to do to be the best bodyboarder in the World. She is humble and down to earth. It took her 10 years of committed training to achieve her dream World Title, one that would be decided at the last event of 1999 at Pipeline against her best friend and fellow competitor Neymara Carvalho (5x World Champion).

Her favorite surf spots are pipeline and backdoor. She has traveled the World and gone to countries in the 5 continents. Brazil, Portugal, France, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, USA, Australia, South Africa, Indonesia, Sumatra , Japan and Guadeloupe. From 1990 until 2002 she competed non stop in all the events of Brazil and the World tour, helping to raise the profile of bodyboarding and her own division, inspiring, encouraging and helping other young girls to believe in themselves and become better bodyboarders.

Karla is now married to former pro bodyboarder Alistair Taylor, and they have two beautiful boys together. She is also making a competitive comeback to pro bodyboarding, having won two events in the US this year, and finished 10th on the IBA world tour last year even though she only competed selectively. Projects to create another movie, a foundation and a bodyboarding school are in the works. With the help of producer Betty Depolito, she will start a new page in her life, and hopes it will be one that inspires women and children around the world to pursue their dreams, no matter how impossible or unattainable they may be.