Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and founder of Solento Film Festival & Solento Tequila.
Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and founder of Solento Film Festival & Solento Tequila.
This June, the Gold Coast will play host to a world-class celebration of surf culture, as Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and Solento founder Taylor Steele brings the Solento Surf Festival to our shores for the very first time. Running from 7-14 June, the week-long festival will light up Burleigh Heads, Mondrian Gold Coast, and HOTA with an inspiring lineup of surf films, live music, art, and conversations.
A pioneer in the world of surf cinema, Taylor Steele has shaped the culture of modern surfing for over two decades. From his early days selling VHS tapes out of the back of his truck in Southern California to working with National Geographic and launching globally celebrated films like Momentum and Proximity, Steele has long been at the forefront of surf storytelling. Now, through Solento – both his organic tequila brand and this visionary festival – he continues to champion creative expression and ocean-minded community.
We caught up with Taylor to talk about his journey, what’s in store for Solento Surf Festival on the Gold Coast, and why surf culture is about so much more than just waves.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I fell in love with the Gold Coast on my first trip away when I was 16 years old. With four friends we bought a valiant and travelled all over for two months. I’ve been coming back ever since for the last 30 years.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Incredible beaches, healthy and amazing food and scenery. Yet the best part are the locals who so fun, kind and some are my closest friends.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
Professionally I’ve been a filmmaker (for 30 years), creative director, and founder of Solento Organic Tequila. Personally I’m a surfer, father and regular dude.
The Solento Surf Festival is debuting on the Gold Coast this year – why here, and why now?
Gold Coast reminds me of my home town of Encinitas with strong surf culture but in a more athletic way. So I wanted to mix in more art, music and film culture with that. Hopefully adding value to the area.
If someone walks away from the Solento Surf Festival with one feeling, what do you hope it is?
Connection. Hopefully to their community and connecting to wider surf community.
You’ve been shaping surf culture through film since the ’90s – what was the moment you realised storytelling through surf was your thing?
When I was young I really connected to filmaking. I was shy and awkward. Making movies was a way to feel connected to something I love and also make me feel more permanent. Sometimes each of us feels disposable / replaceable or at least I used to. Yet making films gave me a sense of leaving a mark on the world. Whether that is true or not it doesn’t matter it’s more the feeling to me that matters.
How has your relationship with surfing changed over the years – has it evolved alongside your filmmaking?
Yeah I treat surfing less of an activity and more of an emotional release. The stories I tell on surfing films changed from action to travel to human stories all based on my interests at that time.
What does your creative process look like when you’re starting a new film – is it instinct, structure, or a bit of both?
My creative process is sitting on ideas for years. Flushing through themes and story lines until it feels right to make it. Nowadays my thoughts are “how do you make something different and where do you show it?”
Solento champions a ‘slow’ lifestyle. How did that idea first take hold for you, and how does it show up in your day-to-day now?
I feel like we are in such a rush to complete tasks like emails or scroll social media. Yet these things never stop so it’s an un satisfying activities and leaves me feeling hollow. I noticed I am most happy when I am present and with friends. So I am trying to promote those things any which way where its surfing, listening to music, making art or having a tequila.
What are your Gold Coast favourites?
Café: Common Ground
Restaurant: Burleigh Pavilion
Bar: Mondrian Hotel
Beach: Burleigh Heads
How do you choose to spend your days off?
Surfing in morning, walk with my lady and a nice lunch, workout, then enjoy a nice glass of Solento.
World-class waves await.
Learning to surf is practically a rite of passage on the Gold Coast. With year-round warmth and world-class breaks dotted along the coastline, there’s no better place to give it a go. In honour of that, here are five local spots that both Gold Coasters and out-of-towners love to surf.
Get out there, frothers.
Kicking off with four surf breaks in one, The Superbank is a high-performance surfing mecca and home to some of the longest waves in the world. Man-made by sand dredging from the Tweed River, it offers a mix of waves for every level. The crowds demand patience here, and when the swell’s up, it’s best for beginners to sit on the sand and enjoy the show.
Snapper Rocks dishes out crisp barrels for seasoned surfers, while Rainbow Bay is ideal for beginners and longboarders with long, cruisy walls. Greenmount is more user-friendly than Snapper, but the sweep can make paddling back out challenging. Kirra itself is another consistent but crowded break with a shifting sand bottom. Bring your good vibes and you’re sure to have a whale of a time.
Where: Marine Parade and Snapper Rocks Road, Coolangatta
The waves that break off Burleigh Headland make up one of the Coast’s most-loved surf spots. When it’s on, it’s packed with everyone from novices to pros, plus plenty of photographers perched on the hill. Experienced surfers jump in from the rocks on the northern side of the point, while beginners can paddle out from the beach and sit wide in the smaller reforms.
Where: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Where the creek meets the sea lies Currumbin Alley, one of the most scenic spots on the Coast and a favourite for beginners and longboarders. The bay usually serves up mellow waves, with plenty of groms in the shallows giving it a go. If you’re keen to learn but haven’t yet worked up the courage, the Alley is the perfect launchpad.
Where: Northern end of Currumbin Beach
Duranbah (or D-bah to locals) is technically in NSW, but we’ll claim it anyway. You’ll find both lefts and rights, generally suited to surfers with some experience. Even on smaller days, there’s usually something punchy and fun to play with. It’s also a great spot to sit on the sand and watch more seasoned surfers to pick up tips.
Where: Coral Street, North Tweed
Some say South Straddie is the best beach break on the Coast thanks to its A-frame peaks and swell-magnet reputation. You’ll need a boat to get there, but the reward is a peaceful stretch of surf-soaked paradise with kilometres of untouched beach.
Where: Across the bar from The Spit (Southport)
If you’re after something more relaxed, there are countless beach breaks up and down the Coast perfect for practicing the basics. Always be aware of other surfers and brush up on surf etiquette before paddling out.
And if lessons are on the cards, Hang Ten Co at Bilinga, Currumbin Alley Surf School and Surf Easy at Currumbin Alley, Kirra Point Surf School in Kirra, Go Ride A Wave at Coolangatta, Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise will get you up and riding.
Words by Lisette Drew
Meet the former ironman.
After 15 years competing as an IronMan Matt Poole announced his retirement earlier this year. In a fitting full-circle moment his last competition was held at Kurrawa, where he made his debut in 2007. We chatted to the new father about his drive to become a professional sportsman, what he loves about the Gold Coast and why he won’t be waiting for a cooked duck to land in his mouth!
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I moved to the Gold Coast from Sydney when I was 18. I’ve been here on the GC the entire time except for 6 years on the Sunshine Coast.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I moved to the GC at 18 to pursue my sporting dream of becoming a professional IronMan, I spent 15 years racing professionally only just retiring earlier this year in April. Highlights of my sporting career include winning the 2017 Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronMan series, 2022 Shaw & Partners Shannon Eckstein Ironman classic, 2014 Molokai2Oahu World paddle board championships and winning gold at the ISA games in Fiji for team Australia. Outside of my sporting career I’ve got two businesses where I am a co-owner, MAMAN Bar & Kitchen in James St Burleigh and Gravity Seltzer.
Who/what inspired you to pursue a professional career as an ironman?
I grew up at the beach and fell in love with the ocean from a very young age. My Dad would take me in the water with him and pushed me into waves on a surfboard. I played a lot of sports growing up, but Surf Life Saving was my calling and through my teenage years really started to succeed and do well. I first qualified for the professional Ironman series at age 18.
Do you have any advice for aspiring athletes?
The life of a professional athlete is tough.. it takes hard work, dedication, sacrifice and resilience. Work hard, enjoy what you are doing and make it your passion!
How do you define success?
Success can be defined or measured a million different ways from a million different people. For me specifically success was always determined by training, racing and competing at my optimum. Winning races is the ultimate reflection of success, but sometimes for me I raced amazing, didn’t win and still deemed it a success.
In 2020 you teamed up with Oli Frost on opening Maman Bar and Kitchen. What made you want to get into the hospitality scene on the Gold Coast?
Oli Frost is a good friend of mine, he’s got one of the best business minds I know so when he came to me with an opportunity to partner up with him and launch MAMAN here on the Gold Coast, I jumped at it! We opened at the start of Covid which was always a risk, but even that aside we have continued to grow from strength to strength and are now a known and loved restaurant here on the coast.
You announced your retirement from competition earlier this year. Talk us through that decision.
I announced my retirement earlier this year in Feb, I still had a few more major events to round out the season but the timing felt right. 15 years racing professionally and I never left a stone unturned with my training and preparation. It takes its toll on the body physically and also mentally. I love racing and I love winning, when you lose motivation and you’re constantly getting injured it makes training suffer which in turn affects performance.. having said that, after I announced my retirement, I had my best results in Kellogg’s & Summer of Surf series races, but I enjoyed to go out on top, haha.
What’s next for Matt Poole?
My life has transitioned/ changed massively since finishing up my athlete career. I now have my beautiful daughter Posy who is 4 months old, I’m working with Gravity Seltzer to unlock new venues on and off premise for both our alcoholic and Non- Alcoholic range. I’m working on a podcast which is set to launch early 2023 and I’m also doing some commentary work with ch7 this season for Summer of Surf.
Health and wellness is obviously an integral part of your life, how do you intend to continue to incorporate that into your daily routine?
I thought after retirement I would take a long hiatus from any forms of training, however I quickly realised how much I love and miss that feeling you get after a hard session. Although I’m not training like a professional athlete, I still love staying fit and healthy. Mostly I go to gym, run, ocean swim, surf and a little Ocean Ski paddling.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Best advice I have ever been given… It’s more of a quote but it’s still advice: “The hunter who waits for the cooked duck to land in his mouth, is going to be a hungry hunter” – It’s weird, but since retiring I’ve realised you have to work hard for everything in life. You can’t just wait around for opportunities to land at your doorstep.
What do you love most about living on the Gold Coast?
I love the beaches, restaurants and warm weather! I live a stone’s throw from the beach and waking up, going for a morning ocean swim and grabbing a coffee on the way home is the perfect way to start any day!
Do you have any Gold Coast favourites you keep going back to?
Café/Coffee spot: The Kiosk Burleigh Pav
Restaurant: MAMAN
Bar or place for a drink: Burleigh Pav
Beach: Burleigh
How do you choose to spend your weekends?
I love spending my weekends eating out, surfing, fishing and having a drink with mates.
