Frozen in Sight: Nat Young Talks Cold Weather Cond...
By Jeff Mull
Santa Cruz surfers pride themselves on their tolerance for the cold. Four/three, booties, and some frozen fingers are a badge of honor for the NorCal boys. Of the Santa Cruz upstarts, Nat Young has moved himself into the vanguard, winning events left and right and spending plenty of time in front of the lens. Chasing the O'Neill Cold Water Classic series north to Canada, we caught up with the cold-blooded Young to see how he's faring in what has been deemed "The Coldest Contest of the Season." It's pouring rain outside, and Nat is fighting back an onlsaught of shivers as we get to talking.
So we're in Canada, it's pretty miserable outside, but let's hear your take on Canada so far.
Yeah, it's pretty sick over here. It's really foresty. I'm stoked to be out here but it's really cold.
How would you say it compares to Santa Cruz?
It's way colder. We'll only have like, one day a year that's this cold. I don't know man...this is really, really cold.
How's the water?
Cold. Back home, I don't really wear booties or gloves ever. But over here, it's pretty much mandatory. I'm trying not to get in the water unless I have to.
How's the Canadian nightlife?
Ha! I don't even know. I just sit at home at night in front of the fire and try and keep warm. It's too cold to really do anything, so I'm just keeping mellow while I'm here.
How are you getting prepared for your heats out here?
Just trying to stay warm before my heats. Maybe listen to my iPod. I don't think I'm gonna be freesurfing too much though.