Ever since we stumbled across the man who bills himself as “NcNasty” on his Insta page, we just had to get to know this guy. Who exactly is the flaming redhead that was suddenly showing up in photos and clips just absolutely bombing huge Indo barrels?

So we reached out and after a week or so we connected, sent over a few questions and he responded some some rather insightful answers.

Enjoy.

What Youth: Hey Nate, thanks for taking a minute to chat. How about a few basics? Where are you from and where do you currently live?

Nate Behl: I’m from Florida in a town called Tequesta, which is about 45 minutes north of West Palm Beach. I’ve grown up and lived there my whole life. 

WY: You seem to be spending some time down in Indonesia lately. Was that by choice or did COVID play a part of that?

NB: I try to make it to Indo and score some swells every summer. As of late with all the travel restrictions I decided to jump on the opportunity of being able to score over there with half the crowds. It has been insane over there the past couple of years being out there and pulling up to a spot with no one out or even checking it. If it was any other year there would be multiple charter boats and canoes with a crew of people on it. Feels like you are in some crazy dream out there right now, when your scoring waves that good to ourselves you can’t believe it’s really happening sometimes. This year we surfed pumping Macaronis and Greenbush with not a person in sight. From what I have been told those are usually two of the most crowded waves over there. 

WY: How long have you been going to Indo? When was your first trip?

NB: The first trip I took to Indo I was 19 Years old on a Billabong “surf with a pro” trip that they used to often do. The trips would have with two big-name pros, and that year it was Peter Mendia, also from Florida, and Donovan Frankenreiter. I was a grom and got the chance to be a tag along on the trip. We ended up getting fun waves but it was pretty slow that trip. Luckily, I am friends with one of the resort owners but back then we were just getting to know each other. Turns out he’s a freaking great guy and has been looking out for me ever since. Things worked out well, I fit in over there at Kandui resort so I was given a golden opportunity to work there as a surf guide which turned into a 5-month gig that year. I have been going out as a surf guide ever since. 

WY: You seem right at home there. What is it about the region that keeps you coming back?

NB: Its easy to say the waves bring you back as the main reason which they do, but there is a lot more to it than that. Its such an amazing feeling being over there. I have made a lot of great friends over the years between the locals and everyone you get to meet when your out in Indo. All your worries, stress of work, seem to just fade away. its pretty easy to forget when your surrounded by good people and getting barreled everyday. When I’m there I won’t look at my bank acoount for months and forget that I have responsiblitlies and a whole lot going on back home. 

WY: How about any bucket list trips you might have planned?

NB: Australia is on my bucket list and I would love to get over to the West Coast, then surf South Australia, and then go hang out in the east. Honestly everywhere in Australia, and I would like to go spend a year and live there. 

WY: We’ve seen that you have spent some time hanging with Nic Von Rupp. Did you guys run into each other down in Indo or were you friends prior to that?

NB: NIc Von Rupp is the Man! We met in Indo for a swell at Kandui and have become friends over the years. He’s definitely one of my favorite dudes to get barreled with. He’s super on it with the swells so when he shows up it’s usually a good sign. Overall he’s an insanely talented surfer and even a better guy out of the water, definitely have a lot of respect for the guy. 

WY: You two have had a few incredible sessions lately but that one at Greenbush was insane. You both caught some incredible waves but it seemed that you paid the price a bit with a few reef bites. Tell us a little bit about that day.

NB: I took a beating at Greenbush, but that’s all part of what makes surfing and scoring good waves such an amazing experience. I hit my face on the reef first session but was nothing too bad so I stayed out and got a few more good ones since it was pumping. I got some stitches on the bridge of my nose from my buddy Dennis who was on the trip and it was his first time stitching so I’m stoked he did a pretty good job. Second session shut me down unfortunately as I hit the reef again on my back ended up fracturing my shoulder blade. When I hit I also bounced the back of my head on the bottom which rocked me pretty good I was a bit in and out. I just remember waking up underwater then when I popped up I thought I was all good then kinda blacked out again. I didn’t know my shoulder blade was broken at the time and couldn’t move my arm. Greg, our captain and legend, came in and grabbed me so I’m super thankful he was around to help. He is also probably the coolest dude Ive ever met. 

WY: It seems like you’re pretty focused on a free-surfer role. Did you ever give the comp thing a go?

NB: I used to surf comps mainly the junior series, and did a bit of the qs events when I was younger. I never had too much fun in the comps since they were usually in bad waves for the most part. I started to realize I surf because I love surfing good waves so I decided I needed to make that happen more. After traveling around a bit on my own agenda I realized I would never surf a contest again. 

WY: The surf industry has gone through some crazy times over the last few years with many surfers losing sponsorships and whatnot. Without naming names, unless you want to, have you been having any trouble keeping logos on your boards?

NB: Certainly it has been a struggle, I rode for Billabong for most of my gromhood. It was super sick to have the chance to be apart of their team over the years, unfortunately before what was expected to be my best year to come financially with them, and what I had planned, all kinda fell apart. I ended up continuing to just work and start a career for myself at home. Before I knew it, I hadn’t surfed in two years.

WY: Here’s you chance to give a shout to those who have supported you and continue to do so.

NB: I’d like to give a shoutout to my chick for being the one after two years of not surfing telling me to pick it up again, and is the reason I’ve started going on trips again. Definitely want to thank Wayne “Webby” Webster from Lennox Head for shaping me the best boards I’ve ever had thoughout the years and keeping me going. There is definitely too many people that thank that have helped me over the years, but none of these opportunities would even be possible if it weren’t for Justis St. John, Tani Sakerebau, and the crew at Kandui Resort for having me out time and time again to the best place on the planet to surf. 

WY: What’s on the calendar next for Mr. McNasty?

NB: So I am hoping to keep the ball rolling as my shoulder is all healed up, and I really want to shoot over to Europe and stay busy chasing swells over there for the winter. Planning to hopefully team up with Nic as much as I can over there. I know travel is tough right now but kinda motivates you more to get out and go when not as many people are traveling. The time is now so who knows what will happen. 

Thanks for your time Nate. We’ll look forward to more of your hell-man charging!

What Youth