Nathan Fletcher Describes his Near-Death-Experience in Chile

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  • čas přidán 15. 11. 2020
  • Close call in Chile, Nearly drowning in Chile, His epiphany after that, Why he still surfs big waves, His realization. Footage provided by VANS.
    Watch the full Late Drop Big Wave podcast episode with Nathan Fletcher:
    • Late Drop - The Big Wa...
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Komentáře • 281

  • @alohastateofmind3565
    @alohastateofmind3565 Před 3 lety +13

    I saw Nathan skating in Huntington Beach, I yelled out Fletcher and he doubled back and came over to me. I said you don't know me but you and your whole family are radical! He said thank you, you just made my day, then skated off. Frickin legend!

  • @emptysea1137
    @emptysea1137 Před 3 lety +265

    great gecko on that wall at the end. Probably his spirit animal, come to say hello.

    • @billys1168
      @billys1168 Před 3 lety

      damn

    • @9arlo9
      @9arlo9 Před 3 lety +1

      Heavy story. Once a friend of mine feeling a weird moment in a taxi in Costa Rica. Inside of a taxi we find out there was a gecko inside of his jacket. Poor animal, it sliped in his jacket at our hotel I guess.

    • @reptilessmile129
      @reptilessmile129 Před 3 lety +1

      Didn't you hear - the Gecko actually killed him. That's why the video's cut right there.

    • @jaycorrales5329
      @jaycorrales5329 Před 3 lety

      was it his insurance?!

    • @joefulcoly7562
      @joefulcoly7562 Před 3 lety

      Geckos keepin them insects out of the estate for him, wish we had those in my climate haha

  • @1booyaka1
    @1booyaka1 Před 3 lety +24

    Thank you Nathan for that. I experienced / survived my own 'drowning' in a similar way after a 3 wave hold down - stuck at backdoor during the pipeline bodysurfing contest. My body went limp even though i could see the surface. You can't move at all but you're awake. Listening to you brought back not only the memory but confirms what happens. You telling telling the story with your eyes closed is so real - I felt it. My best to you and thankful you had the will to live through it. Hi to Daniel Russo as well - JT

  • @losmejoresdechile1175
    @losmejoresdechile1175 Před 3 lety +19

    It's amazing how he closes his eyes and reenact s everything. You can feel his pain and anguish in the story.

  • @richardleetbluesharmonicac7192

    The exact thing happened to me on a boogie board in massive surf in Santa Cruz. Ended up washed up on a beach unable to move. I’ll never forget that moment of surrender after getting cleaned up over and over.

  • @lylecarlsonsurfboard
    @lylecarlsonsurfboard Před 3 lety +8

    Nathan is the real deal. The leader of big waves today

  • @WildsDreams45
    @WildsDreams45 Před 3 lety +4

    "Pipeline gives me so much that I know one day I'm going to have to give back."
    I'll never forget that quote and I remember it every time I paddle out.

  • @tylercorelitz3371
    @tylercorelitz3371 Před 3 lety +250

    Gnarliest part of this story is that he named his kid Lazer

  • @thestonecloud667
    @thestonecloud667 Před 2 lety +11

    He's a survivor, and a legend.

  • @Peace-qm2sp
    @Peace-qm2sp Před 3 lety +101

    Russo had a print of Nathan smoking a cigarette on the boat after that incident. What a shot.
    What a story.

  • @PwnTheCodFish
    @PwnTheCodFish Před 3 lety +40

    wow what an incredible story. shocking to finally hear how it went down, and grateful that nathan prevailed. what up to the gecko chilling at the end yeah brahhhhh must be nice at the fletchers

  • @bjoewallace81
    @bjoewallace81 Před 3 lety +7

    This guy is the shit to be able to relax and not panick in this situation. I can only try to imagine what a gnarly life hes had from getting off drugs to getting the opportunity to ride some of the sickest waves our earth has to offer......life in super fast lane. I mean you know how down you gotta be to name your kid lazer.

  • @1royalwolf
    @1royalwolf Před 3 lety +11

    Nathan has the most amazing stories to tell. Love listening to him share the details of these life hanging experiences🤙

  • @bstewartexecutivecarcare6953

    Now when I get the shit kicked out of me on a 8ft wave I will remember this story and put things in perspective. When you are in the middle of the storm it's hard to remind yourself to relax, but you did and came out and can share your experience.
    Thanks for sharing 👍✌️

  • @ficklemedia8733
    @ficklemedia8733 Před 3 lety +9

    Wow. One of the most intense recounts of an experience I’ve ever heard. Nathan clearly had (or still does?) something significant to do before he’s done here.

    • @pettersaethre
      @pettersaethre Před 2 lety

      laughed when this goof barely was hurt in the boat near the end

  • @beatvampire
    @beatvampire Před 3 lety +9

    all of a sudden I opened my eyes , rare moment !

  • @beyondcinema
    @beyondcinema Před 3 lety +37

    holy cow he's truly lucky to be alive.

  • @thesvereignstate9185
    @thesvereignstate9185 Před 3 lety +7

    wow I don't know why this popped up in my recs...what a powerful story of life and death and surrender and trust!

  • @lovebiota286
    @lovebiota286 Před 3 lety +7

    Profound. Thanks so much for sharing. So glad Nathan is good!

  • @danchaidez5619
    @danchaidez5619 Před 3 lety +3

    I've surrendered too. At jockos and at sunset in the 90s...but something brought me up too...cool story brA! Attitude of gratitude for all...shootz! Tanx for sharing!!

  • @lucamura8362
    @lucamura8362 Před 3 lety +3

    Wow. What an incredible experience. Realy chilling while he was telling about all those moments. I felt like i was there. And what a beautiful ending.

  • @kawehionalani
    @kawehionalani Před 3 lety +1

    I am born and raised on the island of Oahu, West Side in Ewa Plantation. As a kid, you just learn to swim by getting thrown in and paddle for your life. Rule of thumb is ALWAYS go UNDER the wave. NEVER try to go over the wave. One weekend I was swimming at tracks, originally called Kahe Point before Hurricane Iwa came and demolished that beautiful beach on the west side. I got pounded on the shoreline, pulled into the undertow. Next thing I saw was my body laying on the shoreline, then I could see my parents and brothers on the grassy top just having a good time together, playing music and bbqing. No one was watching me bcus I was a good swimmer and swam that beach many times. I was 6-7 years old. When I saw my body laying on the shoreline and my parents/family enjoying the day, at that moment I realized I drowned. NO ONE WAS AROUND bcus it was late evening sunset time already. I felt sad bcus i didn’t want my family to find me like that and having my brothers feeling guilty not watching me, and at that moment I prayed to Jesus and asked him to please send me back into my body, I don’t want to hurt my family. Safe to say Jesus showed up bcus before I knew it, I was back in body coughing up salt water, exhausted, and just trying to catch air. I am now 43 years old and will never forget that faithful day like it was yesterday. Jesus showed up for me. Since then, I look at life in a whole new perspective and have such an appreciation for life, the simple things like love, compassion, empathy, and
    happiness toward my fellow human. There is a God and his name on Earth is Jesus. Thank you Jesus for giving me another chance at life even tho I was only 6 maybe 7 years old. I love you Jesus ❤️
    I completely resonate with what he said at the end, you just learn this new appreciation for life and the people and intangible things that matter and that’s LOVE.

  • @iraklein1625
    @iraklein1625 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank God you are still alive God bless you

  • @brianwilner3634
    @brianwilner3634 Před 3 lety +5

    crazy story, scary. Hope he realizes how precious life is and remember to be thankful.

  • @makapuukid1
    @makapuukid1 Před 3 lety +3

    If u haven’t already please have Makuakai tell u guys about his near death experience in puerto during the contest when his board hit him in the chest. He’s told me this story personally over some beers and it is fricken nutty these guys are true legends for the shit they are trying and pulling off. Shit that shouldn’t be possible honestly. Great video 🤙🏽 Nate is the man!

  • @clarkewi
    @clarkewi Před 3 lety +10

    Awesome survivor. I am from his father Herbie's generation - a long time fan.

  • @2three8band23
    @2three8band23 Před 3 lety

    such a good story.
    Nath you are a legend. Had a great chat with you in Oz for your movie premier

  • @AX1A
    @AX1A Před 3 lety

    Glad you’re still with us bro!

  • @williamhanley7031
    @williamhanley7031 Před rokem +1

    Nate is my favorite surfer, ever. Hopefully some day I will get to meet him. I surfed with his brother a few times when I was 12 . I remember his 1st contest ever at cottens point. I'll never forget because it was the day I made my 1st 360. He's a few years younger than I am. He skated insane to. Hence the airials

  • @ericr1035
    @ericr1035 Před 3 lety +3

    Nathan is so much like his dad, expressions, passion at the same time laid back.. that I have to do a second take to make sure it’s not Herbie video from 30 yrs ago.

  • @lualncol
    @lualncol Před rokem

    Wow- thanks for sharing this

  • @patty100ch
    @patty100ch Před 2 lety +3

    When you’re nearly drowned there’s this sense of peace and surrender, exactly as your body goes limp because your muscles went into shock. When the water had already stopped burning your lungs, you realize your body stopped breathing.

  • @superorangeish
    @superorangeish Před 3 lety

    One intense individual.
    Glad you made it!

  • @robpace881
    @robpace881 Před rokem

    Glad Nate is still here

  • @TheAirperri
    @TheAirperri Před 3 lety

    That's intense. Respect for mr. Fletcher. Once I remember an interview of a surfer about his 'near death experience' at Jaws, he said ''that was the best part of the session''.

  • @georgebugarin1078
    @georgebugarin1078 Před 3 lety +1

    My close call is not even close to this, but to be in a relatively unknown place, and without the proper preparations - thats another level of close call. He's lucky to be alive by washing up on that rock.
    RIP Sion

  • @jodo1971
    @jodo1971 Před 3 lety

    Glad u made it bro

  • @rickeykoga2312
    @rickeykoga2312 Před 3 lety +9

    Man I love how he closes his eyes and goes straight back the moment. What a fucking experience. Straight up Moana vibes with how the ocean left him right on the rock

  • @CreatureSkateboardC2
    @CreatureSkateboardC2 Před 3 lety

    Surfline we need more of this

  • @jubas7935
    @jubas7935 Před 3 lety +3

    Amazing statement Nathan.

  • @krustysurfer
    @krustysurfer Před 3 lety

    Gratitude and perspective ..... Heavy

  • @andrefearon2904
    @andrefearon2904 Před 3 lety +1

    I got really into that story, powerful stuff from Nate!!

  • @myvideoguy
    @myvideoguy Před 3 lety

    4:55 So glad you made it!

  • @kayakcraig
    @kayakcraig Před 3 lety +1

    Bro! So close! So real! Thank you for your humble nature. I get it. So real!

  • @Ryan-zd2lk
    @Ryan-zd2lk Před 3 lety +23

    anyone else notice the lizard crawling around the wall?

  • @Wayne--O
    @Wayne--O Před 3 lety +5

    had this vhs back in early 90's called Wave Warriors 2. Opens with classic footage & Hendrix 'are you experienced'. Think his dad made it and Christian had a segment surfing and skating. Nathan was in it as a little blonde kid at the skate park. It's been so cool catching his stuff through the years. True charger

  • @sirql8
    @sirql8 Před 3 lety +1

    This appeared on my feed Thanksgiving Day, God bless all.....

  • @KauaiboyRayce
    @KauaiboyRayce Před 3 lety +1

    Dont look at yourself if you're interviewing someone. Dont look at yourself unless you're rehearsing, really. Incredible story!!

  • @blakeclarkson9954
    @blakeclarkson9954 Před 3 lety +3

    That's classic! Glad you're alive man! Bro, you got a lizard on the wall! That's awesome!

  • @seankearney5469
    @seankearney5469 Před 3 lety +7

    That's as close as it gets!!!! That is so heavy!!!!!!

  • @chaddarner4133
    @chaddarner4133 Před 3 lety

    You the. Man Nathan; glad your ok

  • @dakanoa
    @dakanoa Před 3 lety +1

    A true Rock n Roll Surfer. I like that. Greetings from Bavaria germany

  • @yvanpedron5255
    @yvanpedron5255 Před 3 lety +1

    Excellent. et réel. Nathan est sûrement le dernier surfer d'une époque...

  • @tonyjetton1
    @tonyjetton1 Před 3 lety

    Whoa, no words....insane story.

  • @sharktooth2888
    @sharktooth2888 Před 3 lety

    Da ocean spit u out Nathan, that was very cool to listen to from such a Hellman. Mahalo.

  • @knotty.rancour6187
    @knotty.rancour6187 Před 3 lety

    Holy shit, this is an intense story. Thanks for sharing.

  • @danielbarnes6420
    @danielbarnes6420 Před 3 lety

    Nathan is my fav ripper !

  • @charlieduvall6463
    @charlieduvall6463 Před 3 lety

    Stay safe people. God bless all the great surfers that gave their lives for the drive to catch the ultimate ride

  • @tomsullivanchannel
    @tomsullivanchannel Před 3 lety

    Glad you made it Nathan- Look out for that thing on the wall behind you near the very end!?

  • @jordandelgado7571
    @jordandelgado7571 Před 3 lety +42

    I'll stick with my local beachie,thanks!

  • @lifeguard92646
    @lifeguard92646 Před 3 lety

    cool to hear this story

  • @rockerbob949
    @rockerbob949 Před 3 lety

    O.C. in the house. Everything this dude does is pretty gnarly including his head tattoo!

  • @TRIKushbeachside
    @TRIKushbeachside Před 3 lety

    One of the realist interviews ever

  • @christinegerard4974
    @christinegerard4974 Před 3 lety

    Very impressive !

  • @alfonsoymateo
    @alfonsoymateo Před 3 lety

    Gnarly description of his experience

  • @nicholassinclair4589
    @nicholassinclair4589 Před rokem

    I love the lizard. Glad your kiddo has a dad too. Stay safe

  • @shonhartvigsen4698
    @shonhartvigsen4698 Před 3 lety +1

    So heavy legend!

  • @scottc3165
    @scottc3165 Před 3 lety +1

    Ohh myy GGooddd. Quite a moving story from an understated hellman like him.

  • @cave_rock_croc3040
    @cave_rock_croc3040 Před 3 lety

    Was looking for the video of that insane mission , think it was called 'Deep water Chile' part 2.. couldn't find it on you_tube, I'm sure it was on before !

  • @reddiver7293
    @reddiver7293 Před 11 měsíci

    Full respect.
    Hairball adventure from guys not afraid to charge 'em!

  • @jimbright9145
    @jimbright9145 Před 3 lety +19

    Gecko came through to say, "Oiy, 15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance."

  • @DriftaBeatz
    @DriftaBeatz Před 3 lety

    Great story

  • @scottneedham6491
    @scottneedham6491 Před 3 lety

    Where's the footage of Nate dawg airing into the LA Coloseum from the mid seat section in 2000 at the Super X . That was his biggest send on land . Him and Christian ..and Greyson,too..have taken all sports beyond the infinite realm

  • @mikenelson7894
    @mikenelson7894 Před 3 lety +5

    Epiphany! No matter how good and ready you think you are, stuff happens. Near death experiences bring the reality that we are vulnerable to things beyond our control. Situations can change quickly.

  • @bctesla
    @bctesla Před 3 lety

    dude such a great story. You figured out the people that needed you to live to be old.

  • @chrisbohm4305
    @chrisbohm4305 Před 3 lety +5

    Classic after almost dying he has a dart!

  • @Mistawongchong
    @Mistawongchong Před 3 lety

    Brilliant !

  • @soleilbelkis9010
    @soleilbelkis9010 Před 3 lety

    God bless you and protect you every minute of your life.🙏 😇🙌

  • @insertname5057
    @insertname5057 Před 3 lety +2

    I've never been under in any of these huge wave situations so dont even know if this is even feasible but would a 1 or 2 breath air canister be something that could help for these situations.

    • @dantakeoff
      @dantakeoff Před 3 lety

      Dunno why its not on the market...

  • @gerrylavelle8433
    @gerrylavelle8433 Před 3 lety

    In the summer of 1985 I got wiped out in Newport Beach CA on probably a 12 foot wave -- everybody was getting wiped out on wave energy from a distant hurricane. I got trapped inside in the white water foam and couldn't get swim traction in the water. I kept getting wash machine tumbled, and I'd come up for air just to get closed out on by another wave. Then I got disoriented in the foam and swam towards the bottom instead of the surface. I got knocked out when i hit the bottom.
    I remember just being at peace and merged with the water like I was in a womb -- like something really soothing and blissful. I surrendered to death. All of a sudden a hand grabbed me and shocked me right out of my death trance. Then I was pulled to the surface -- it was a lifeguard. He gave me a foam float to hang onto and he pulled me towards shore while we tumbled and spun through the whitewater until we could stand in the shallow water. I thanked the guy and he just turned around to swim back out to rescue someone else. I struggled to shore and coughed and vomited up sea water. I was so thankful to be that close to death and get rescued.

  • @ryana1967
    @ryana1967 Před 3 lety

    Wow really crazy story

  • @GoGracefully
    @GoGracefully Před 3 lety +1

    Who you are has nothing to do with what you touched as you said those words.
    You are a father, and a potential spiritual father to your trust.
    The True Father of all has blessed you in many ways.
    Hopefully you are humble enough to see how blessed you truly are and have been.

  • @eduardoseoane
    @eduardoseoane Před 3 lety

    Amazing sotory. So glad he survived to tell it. Is that wave El Boye, at Arica? I guess it is not

    • @eduardoseoane
      @eduardoseoane Před 3 lety

      Sure is not El boye, as the right, that in El boye is safer, here it is closing out. But it is at a desert, so it is North Chile for sure

  • @hykaio7932
    @hykaio7932 Před 2 lety

    I been out mokuleia where the waves was closed out and seen the helicopter pick a guy up. And I was the last guy out. And I was lucky to have made it in alive.

  • @tr7b410
    @tr7b410 Před rokem

    The wave he wiped on looked huge.Getting dragged that far attached to a 12 foot board must have been draining.

  • @upsidedahead
    @upsidedahead Před 3 lety

    Fuck dude you were GONE.
    Now you have so much to live for
    It’s good to see 💞💥

  • @brucedevine8644
    @brucedevine8644 Před 3 lety +1

    So it looks like you're so drunk Brother! Glad you made it...respect

  • @jimsurfnfish8089
    @jimsurfnfish8089 Před 3 lety

    Sic stuff, dat was some heavy shit🍻

  • @kevinobrien1810
    @kevinobrien1810 Před 3 lety

    Surfer Journal had pics/story on this day. Classic shot of NF collapsef in an old stuffed armchair on top those rocks getting his sheit sorted out for the long walk back. Be safe - trust the locals. Heavy break + no ski = Deep Sheit when it goes bad.

  • @Seek-God-First
    @Seek-God-First Před rokem +2

    Gods will he was miraculously left on the rocks and alive.

  • @C.Hawkshaw
    @C.Hawkshaw Před 3 lety

    I keep seeing in all these surfing vids about surrendering to the wave. Is this a metaphor also?

  • @Blah-gg7rd
    @Blah-gg7rd Před 3 lety +1

    Hadn’t sept well - yeah that was probably it. Did he say he could see Zion? Wild story well told.

    • @Blah-gg7rd
      @Blah-gg7rd Před 3 lety

      P.s glad you had the epipheny

  • @JonPrice069
    @JonPrice069 Před 3 lety

    i SAW SOME OF THIS BEFORE, I AM A FAN OF THOSE FLETCHERS.

  • @hugocarneiro940
    @hugocarneiro940 Před 3 lety

    Respect , Peace.

  • @youtubefitness293
    @youtubefitness293 Před 2 lety

    a true legend

  • @beehead5661
    @beehead5661 Před 3 lety

    Glad you made it through!

  • @badmonkey2222
    @badmonkey2222 Před 3 lety +13

    I had a close call with death at mavericks in 2014 and that's all I'll say.

    • @cumminsscout
      @cumminsscout Před 3 lety +1

      I had a rough one at Mav's in '93 . I knew it was a killer wave and then it took Mark Foo.

  • @jefesalsero
    @jefesalsero Před 3 lety

    So gnarly!

  • @mpfilgueiras
    @mpfilgueiras Před 3 lety

    I like the lizard on the back wall at the end

  • @ourwilliam2405
    @ourwilliam2405 Před 3 lety +1

    Where in Chile did this happen? Was it Punto de lobos?