Surf Rage [Paperback]

Nat Young (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

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!

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Watersports Books (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0958575010
• ISBN-13: 978-0958575010
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,959,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rage and more, September 9, 2001

By 

neosponge (Honolulu, HI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surf Rage (Paperback)

Although the byline for the book says Nat Young, most of the stories were written by other surfers, mostly Australians. It's truly ironic that Nat "the Animal" Young is the one condemning "surf rage" since he's the very surfer who embodied surf aggression in and out of the water throughout his life. It's akin to a high school dropout trying to tell children to stay in school. But I digress.

On March 16, 2000, Nat got into a fight in the lineup and copped a serious beating (see picture below). It was this incident that prompted him to write and compile this book.

Refreshingly, the book isn't about only surf rage (the equivalent to driving's road rage). Each author had very enlightening incidents to share and analyzed the how's and possibly why's they occurred.

Things that are discussed included: localism, territorialism, respect, surf media intervention, the laughability of "secret" spots, surf tourism, professionalism, other waveriding vehicles, women, recent incidents in the news, Zorba of Oxnard, the Ranch, and the infamous Saltbush in Southern Australia. The very end has some silly conflict resolution and anger management tips, along with a wrap-up by Nat on things that can be done to reduce surf rage (like making artificial waves and more surf breaks).

I personally enjoyed the book. The writing delves deep into analysis and meaning of subtle surfing nuances that only a surfer will truly appreciate. Being published in Australia, it is amusingly full of Aussie-speak and spelling, something that this Hawaii boy is not totally familiar with but still enjoyed (seemed to add a bit more authenticity and flavor). Some of the writers are stronger than others, but the overall quality of penmanship is high. The Saltbush incident is like the Mad Max of surfing.

One of the best nuggets in the book was a picture of the "Tribal Laws", a surfing poster installed at Margaret River, Western Australia. There are good drawings on the poster describing laws that, if followed, would truly improve the surfing experience.

Aloha,
Neal

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Truth in Surfing, September 25, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Surf Rage (Paperback)

Surf Rage by Nat Young is a book that should be read by all surfers young and old.While some who read it could be cynical, as part of the book obviously gives Nat Young a chance to repent for his past sins and misdeeds in the water, the bulk of the book and its many authors have done a fine job in exposing the increasing dilemma now facing surfing; the crowds, the competition and its resulting conflicts.
All the authors appear to be sincere in tackling the issue and some of the stories sent chills up my back. I found the last chapter to be the most constructive, it details some well known strategies for dealing with conflict and I tried using one last week during a heated confrontation with a hammer head surf nazi hellbent on smashing my face in and surprise surprise it worked.
So yes I am a wrap for the book and thoroughly recommend it to surfers everywhere. Its about time something on this subject was written and I do hope Nat Young gets a pat on the back for having the courage to talk openly and honestly about his past.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughts on Surf Rage, August 12, 2001

By 

Roger Mann (Los Alamos, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Surf Rage (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading Surf Rage. Nat Young certainly was the right man to put this collection together. After a horrible beating, the man really tried to sum up what surfers are up against in overcrowded surf. I hope part of the surfing population responds by re-evaluating why they started surfing. Surfing is supposed to be fun for everyone in the water. Not just the very good or very aggressive. I rate the book as a major effort to improve the vibrations in and around the water.