Like Ted I had a mid week adventure up the coast. Headed off intending to surf a couple of spots but alas the swell wasn't happening anywhere. Called into Scotts Head, Woolgoolga and Arrrawarra with barely a ripple amongst them.
Following day called into Angourie which wasn't breaking either but did see a pod of whales playing just off the end of the point which was pretty awesome.
I then cruised into Yamba where there was a bank at Pippies beach throwing some 2's which I shared with 4 other longboarders for about an hour and a half.
About then I saw two other longboarders paddling out and thought I'd call it a day and catch the next one in. I turned to look out to sea and saw a likely wave and started to paddle for it, right next to me was one of the new guys who also started to paddle. The new guy was Nat Young. After the jaw dropped and let in a good amount of sea water I pulled off the wave and Nat caught it with ease and with his usual cool style rode it into shore.
I returned to the takeoff and waited, when one came along I started to paddle and Nat was just about back out into the lineup and he starts calling me into the wave and gives me a hoot, I mean, hows that!!
I went in , got changed and watched Nat surf and a bit later saw him catch one in. Well, I thought you don't get this chance often, so I went on down and introduced myself.
The bloke is so humble I think I embarrassed him by wanting to shake his hand, but was only too willing to have a chat. That's when it got weird, he explained that he had been working on his farm that morning but his tractor had croaked it. Well I says that's a coincidence because my tractor is in getting a new clutch put in.
So here I am on Yamba beach having a yarn with the legend Nat Young about of all things, tractors! Hilarious
We did talk about surf, he still has a house at Angourie as he said,walking distance to 5 great breaks. Great bloke, great experience, held him up for about half an hour but he was all grace. In four days away up the coast it was the only surf I got but I'll remember it forever.
Great experience stuk, not something you're likely to forget too soon.
What a shame you got to go to all those great breaks and not find a wave.
Been a very bad inconsistent couple of months.
When you got to the part of Nat paddling back out,I was about to say he took the wave off you,Nat had a bad rap a few years ago good to hear he is chilled,great story and even better he gave you his time oh and that wave you will remember camp fire stuff
Nice work Stu - like Mac I was concerned whilst reading your story but it had a nice happy ending A shame you did not get that many surfs in - you should have come south a little bit Next time there is some swell I will be heading up your way to try out my new boards......will let ya know. Good to see you back in the water and not just doing the household chores
Yes, me to.
I was writing Nat off as well after that incident in the surf years ago.
If I recall, he got sorted anyway.
Good story.
Yeah..have had contact with him some years ago and not like the image or Nat of old..nice bloke.
Select to expand quoteTed the Kiwi said..
Nice work Stu - like Mac I was concerned whilst reading your story but it had a nice happy ending A shame you did not get that many surfs in - you should have come south a little bit Next time there is some swell I will be heading up your way to try out my new boards......will let ya know. Good to see you back in the water and not just doing the household chores
Backs all good now Kev, just need the swell to kick in, but we're all in that category.
That must have been a pretty good experience. Good story
Good clip SP but the music got a bit much.
