Inner Strength: Surfer, Nat Young
Santa Cruz, California and more specifically, the Pacific Ocean, where local Nat Young aged 24 and ranked seventh in the World Surfing League plies his trade. Nat started surfing at the age of 4 and at 17, he decided, like an increasing number of modern day athletes to take his training beyond the waves by incorporating high-intensity gym sessions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDPLMZ7npRk
He now works out five days a week, combining three to four hours of surfing with in-gym sessions led by Nike Trainer Joey Wolfe.
“The way I look at training as a whole is that the foundation level is movement,” explains Wolfe. “When I got Nat, he was a really good mover and that natural athleticism made my job easier. It was like: Okay, I just have to get this guy stronger and good things are going happen. And that’s exactly what happened. It’s no different than any other sport: If you get an athlete and they move well, then the sky is the limit. My job is to get him stronger, keep him flexible and protect him from injury.”
Nat Wears
Nike Ultimate Dry V-Neck Training Shirt- Made with sweat-wicking mesh fabric and ergonomic seams for breathable comfort and natural range of motion. $70
Nike 8″ Flex-Repel Shorts- Help block out the elements and keep air flowing during a workout with water-resistant fabric and laser-cut perforations. $100
Wolfe’s workouts are designed to enhance Nat’s strength, endurance, flexibility and balance via targeted routines designed to address the physical demands of surfing and prepare him for the unpredictable ocean environment. The ultimate goal, however, remains.
“My main goal in surfing is to win a world title,” Nat reiterates. “I go into each contest to win. If I can achieve those goals, that’s part of the bigger picture. I take it event by event and work towards the end goal.”
To learn more about Nat and how he builds his athleticism to maximise his ability check out the Nike Training Twitter and Instagram channels.
