- WSL / Nathan Florence

Success on the North Shore requires putting in the hard yards, even if you've spent your whole life living there. Nathan Florence and his friends know this and put themselves through the grind on the regular to achieve their goals.

We're talking assault bikes, kettle bells, intense sessions on the weights and burpees 'til you pretty much puke. It would be borderline sadistic if it didn't yield such impressive results at Pipe and the Outer Reefs.

So, when you see some of these guys getting kegged out of their skulls this winter, remember, it's not all luck. Being in the right place at the right time generally isn't a coincidence. It's a years-long dedication to being in peak physical shape and training to be able to take advantage of a golden opportunity when it arises.

Sure, one wave can change somebody's life, but it takes a hell of a lot of work to get that wave. Nate and crew know this, it's why they're sweating so hard before the North Pacific really turns on.

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