Two decades after pioneering aerials in San Clemente beachbreaks, Nathan Fletcher blew everyone’s mind again with “The Heaviest Wave Ever Ridden” in Tahiti last year. It sparked yet another comeback in his pro surfing career that has earned him the title of an antihero of our sport. Awarded with the best overall big-wave performance of 2011, he non-nonchalantly pushes the envelope and escapes death on a regular basis. When asked if surfing has made him a rich man, he responded “Yes…but not with money.”
Listen to Nathan retell his historic session that started with hitchhiking to chopes that morning.
*Warning: This will give you goosebumps
Its no coincidence that he represents brands with mottos like “unlikely futures” being that he lives in a trailer and casually converses about the expectation of drowning. But his superior surfing ability does not share the same affinity for the spotlight as today’s youth. He quit surfing at the age of 16 because the spotlight seemed lame to him, and the tattoo on his calf “KILL ME” further explains his disdain for stardom.
Who knew that not giving a damn about anything translated into iconic style.
Here’s how he does it
Nixon Watches: In his quest for that one wave that pays the bills all year long, Nathan relies on Nixon tide watches to stay dialed into the best surf conditions.
Stretch surfboards: His signature bat tailed “The Thing” board pushes the limits of progressive surfing. That’s right, at the age of 36 he’s still punting new-school aerials.
Analog Clothing: Don’t get caught looking like every other schmuck in town. Analog deisgns clothes for antiheros like Fletcher, Chippa and Koby Abberton.
Vans Footwear: Classic, simple, and timeless just like Mr Fletcher himself.
Oakley Sunglasses: Heavy travel calls for bullet proof gear…and these lenses are actually bulletproof.
“Nathan is a F–king legend” -Herbie Fletcher
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