Martin comes from a very wealthy family. He is handsome and privileged - a 'golden boy'. Initially Taylor is Danny's biggest rival in and out of the pool, and he's threatened by Danny's natural ability. He soon becomes best friends with Danny, as Danny's swimming earns the respect of his peers and the two boys come to rely on each other's support.
Outwardly confident and charming, Taylor struggles with his own demons of self-belief. He's a natural leader and a good swimmer - but is he good enough? Does he even want to win for himself or is it just what's expected of him? Taylor is attracted to Danny's raw honesty and singular ambition as it equates to a kind of freedom that Taylor can't have in his privileged world, full of pretence, social constraints and expectation.
