Tall tales from the surf. What makes for a surfing life? With a blaze of groundbreaking performances and a swag of titles claimed from all over the world to his name, Australian world champion surfer Nat Young might know. His seventieth birthday inspired some reflection on exactly that, and on the waves and characters that have marked his remarkable life - Miki Dora and Midget Farrelly to name a few. But surfing for Nat Young - and so many like-minded surfers - has never been about winning, never been about the sport. It's a calling, an endless quest, a philosophy, a religion. Most of all, surfing is a way of life that has underpinned his other identities as board shaper, film producer, writer, raconteur, conservationist, activist, pilot, husband, father. Candid and wryly observed, Church of the Open Sky explores what it means to be a surfer, with a collection of true stories of Nat's surfing life - and the friends, foes and heroes he's met along the way.

Church of the Open Sky

Young, Nat

Biographies & Memoirs

Michael Joseph Australia

Robert "Nat" Young claims honestly not to remember the first time he rode a wave. He remembers the place- Sydney's Collaroy Beach in the 1950s- and he remembers how it felt. The sensations of those early rides on an inflatable rubber surfmat, "kicking and paddling into it, rushing straight down the face of wave," drove the course of Nat's life from then on. Today, with numerous world titles spanning three decades, he is generally regarded as the greatest surfer of the modern era, and one of Australia's finest ever athletes. But surfers are not like other athletes, and this book shows us why. It began as a series of short stories, drawn from Nat's dinner party tales; in the writing process it became something else entirely. What has emerged is not just yet another story of a sportsman's relentless training, ups and downs, and eventual triumph over adversity. It's a sociological journey. As Nat crashes around the world from adventure to adventure, winning, losing and everything in between, he experiences the big Western cultural shifts of the past forty years from ground level. Australia before Vietnam and during the draft; hippie 1970 Byron Bay; the good life in California with obscure surfing legend Mickey Dora; Kuta before the tourism boom; environmentalism; dope; international fame and its consequences; it's all here. As Nat "It's been a wonderful time to be alive and if I had it over I wouldn't change a thing- and it ain't over yet."

Nat's Nat and That's That

Palm Beach Pr

Surfers and surfing aficionados worldwide will be enthralled with this fascinating autobiography of Nat Young, arguably one of the world's best surfers and a pioneer of the "shortboard" style. With short stories, anecdotes, and unbelievable adventures with some of surfing's most colorful and well known characters, Nat Young recounts his life from Australia to Hawaii to the Pacific Coast of America and beyond. In fascinating text and dozens of black and white photos, Young combines surfing history, personal journals, stories, and press clippings. Young has been the subject of many surfing movies, showcasing an impressive list of accomplishments such as his 1963 Australian Open win, his first sponsorship at 16 years of age with "Hang Ten", opening his surf shops, and his four-time World Champion status. He also earned a pilots license, worked as a model for Ralph Lauren, and worked for French clothier Oxbow, and is an accomplished snowboarder and skier as well. This book is a must read for any surfer! Nat Young is recognized as one of the great surfers in the history of the sport, having won the world championships in 1966. In the late 1960s, he and a handful of others ushered in the 'new era' in surfboard riding, a power-oriented style which formed the basis of contemporary surfing. Nat's unique style and good luck enabled him to become World Longboard Champion in 1988, '89 and '90. Today he is a dedicated surfer and family man with four children. He is the author of several books on surfing and produced the film The History of Australian Surfing. ONE LINER: Now available in the U.S.! The autobiography of World Champion surfer Nat Young. COLLATERAL TITLES: Stoked, lost coast, waves, History of surfing

Nat's Nat & That's That: A Surfing Legend

Nymboida Press

Surfers are raging in the water just like everyone else. There are punchouts on the beach. Rocks are thrown and tires punctured. It is outa control. Nat Young, himself the recepient of a pounding has gathered 12 chapters all from different authors, on localism in surfing from around the world. This book is about that problem!

Surf Rage

Explains how to select a surfboard, shows how to paddle, catch a wave, and maneuver in the surf, and discusses advanced techniques, competitions, and other kinds of surfing

Surfing Fundamentals: How to Ride a Modern Short Board

Sports & Outdoors

Water Sports

This book covers the full gamut of surfing topics including the history, professionalism, surfboard evolution, professional surfers, the Hawaiian Islands, kneeboards, wave skills, windsurfers, and the future of surfing. Lots and lots of rare color photos covering surfings exciting past and present.

History of Surfing

Victory Audio/Video Services

The History of Surfing by world champion surfer Nat Young shares the history, stories, and inside expertise gathered in his years of deep involvement with the sport of surfing. The History of Surfing covers the full gamut, including the history, professionalism, surfboard evolution, professional surfers, the Hawaiian Islands, kneeboards, wave skills, windsurfers, and the future of surfing. Exclusive rare color photos covering surfing's exciting past and present bring to life one of the most exciting and stunningly beautiful sports in the world. This book is the result of a lifetime of involvement with surfing and a deep interest in its history, and includes Nat's discussions with the greats of the sport, from Duke Kahanmoku to contemporary stars like Kelly Slater and Lisa Anderson. Illustrating the book are rare reproductions of early Hawaiian and Australian surfing, along with the work of the world's best surf photographers, including portraits of some of the remarkable figures that the sport has seen. Chapters include: Surfing Roots Hawaiian Revival Heyday of the Hollow Board Evolution of the Modern Board The Age of Surf Clubs Big Waves, Big Boards The Oz Connection World Championships Pocket Rockets and Twin Fins The Birth of Professionalism Surfer Girls Surfing with a Sail

Gibbs-Smith

In this newly revised hardcover edition of The History of Surfing, world champion surfer Nat Young explores the history, stories, and inside expertise gathered in his years of deep involvement with the sport of surfing. The History of Surfing covers the full gamut, including surfing history, professionalism, surfboard evolution, professional surfers, the Hawaiian Islands, kneeboards, wave skills, kitesurfers, and the future of surfing. Also included are discussions with some of the sports greats-Duke Kahanamoku, Kelly Slater, and Lisa Anderson-as well as exclusive rare color photos covering surfing's exciting past and present, bringing to life one of the most exciting and stunningly beautiful sports in the world. Nat Young is recognized as one of the great surfers in the history of the sport, having won the world championship in 1966. At that time his new power-oriented surfing style was based on surfing a shorter board than was traditionally used. He is credited with starting the style which was the basis for contemporary surfing. He was born in 1947, and grew up in Collaroy on the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia, where he lives with his family.

Complete History of Surfing: From Water to Snow

Miscellaneous

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Young, Nat. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Young, Nat

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Young, Nat. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Church of the Open Sky

Nat's Nat and That's That

Nat's Nat & That's That: A Surfing Legend

Surf Rage

Surfing Fundamentals: How to Ride a Modern Short Board

History of Surfing

History of Surfing

Complete History of Surfing: From Water to Snow