Nat Young on Byron Bay, “Magic Sam,” Surfing’s Commercialization, and Crowds

Dubbed “The Animal,” Nat Young has spent nearly 60 years as one of surfing’s most influential and esteemed figures. At the forefront of surfing’s stylistic evolution during the 1960s, Young’s victory at the 1966 World Championships in San Diego on his self-shaped “Magic Sam” helped cement Australia’s place as a budding progenitor of high-performance surfing. In the decades since, he’s maintained iconic status both in surf culture and in his native country, while writing numerous books, making films documenting the era of transformation he helped usher in, traveling the globe to both surfing and non-surfing locales, and continuing to surf-at a masterful level on all manner of craft-at the world-class points near his home. In this episode, Young talks with show host Jamie Brisick about his long and celebrated career, his biggest influences, and the translation of style across generations.
Become a TSJ member at surfersjournal.com
Produced by Jonathan Shifflett.
Music by PazKa (Aska Matsumiya & Paz Lenchantin).
Feature image by Grant Ellis.

[@philcarter9421]

Excellent! More of these please.

[@stokedcreativesfilms5986]

That was very enjoyable!

[@stevenvaliere6765]

Ahhh, that was great! Thanx jaimie, love these stories of old, from my era and places ive lived. Nats Nat and thats that! Good one!

[@johnsavala8202]

Jaime, Please keep these interviews coming. The best on KZbin. TY

[@johncleghorn2960]

Yeah watching Nat out at the point in the early 70’s on bigger days definitely inspired us young guys to ride pintails single fins vee in the tail for a few years in the seventies 🏄‍♂️

[@dreamlifephotography]

Really great interview...such an interesting and rich surfing lifestyle - well done to those involved in this

[@channel6sandiego]

Classic love you Nat...George would surf the point at newport beach back in the day....we loved him then and still do....was fun...

[@JenniferJones-ry6ji]

💜 LOVE NAT HE IS THE ONE OF THE KINDEST MEN IV'E EVER MET. HE & WIFE TOOK CARE OF A LOST 15Yr Kid. BLESS HIM👏🙏2024

[@Shafiq5911]

Wonderful conversation.

[@clarkewi]

Nat lived next door to my friend in Carpenteria and surfed Rincon during the period when boards were going short.

[@russellhollinhurst1195]

Jamie, You passed by too quickly about older surfers getting up on their boards. Nat was trying to explain that he couldn't even get up and Greenough was going to help him out!

[@dsf427]

When surfers were real hard core. 😊

[@marktourtellotte1336]

I once asked Nat out in the lineup if he was a golfer? I thought he might like to play a round. He said, "No, I'm a surfer."

[@GaryChavez-nu7uy]

I surfed with the animal at swamis one time he was a animal in the water

[@coryholland1811]

One truth only. Maybe there are other truths out there.

[@dcollins850]

Got his right wack after belting a kid in the water. He’s no hero.