ROAD TO NAZARÉ: The Story of Taka (Age 13 to 17) and Accelerated Performance Coaching
ROAD TO NAZARÉ: The Story of Taka (Age 13 to 17) and Accelerated Performance Coaching
From Local Improvement to Giant Wave Surfing
Most of our clients come to us seeking "improvement." That was the case with Taka, who joined Fetch Surf Concept at age 13 with the simple goal of becoming a better surfer.
What has transpired over the past four years is one of the most inspiring stories of my career: Taka didn't just improve; at 17 years old, he was facing the giant waves of Nazaré.
This journey felt exceptionally personal to me. Taka is the same age as my eldest son, and the similarity in their ages and aspirations led me to invest in his progression with a dedication that felt familiar.
This journey, documented in our ROAD TO NAZARÉ interview, proves what is possible when ambition meets the right methodology and a long-term coaching plan.
Breakdown of the Process: 4 Years, 3 Phases of Accelerated Progression
Taka’s progression can be divided into three well-defined phases that prove the effectiveness of consistent coaching, from the basics to the elite level.
1. Phase 1 (Ages 13-16): The Foundation of Technical Consistency
The focus in the early years was the elimination of structural flaws and the building of consistency. This work centered on solid basic technique: speed, fluidity, and repetition.
Method: Intensive video analysis to eliminate bad habits at the root, coupled with dry-land drills focused on core stability and muscle memory.
The Moment of Truth: The 14-Month Plan (At Age 16)
Taka showed consistent skill and commitment, quickly achieving goals that initially seemed distant. At age 16, everything changed. He confessed he had a specific goal, and that I was the person who could help him achieve it. I remember that conversation in my training center office like it was yesterday.
"I want to surf Nazaré," he said without a tremor in his voice, and that huge smile instantly won me over.
Without a moment's hesitation, my mind began visualizing the plan, what we needed to improve, and what we needed to practice. The challenge was monumental, and we had 14 months until the time for the test arrived. Without a doubt, this became the most important project of my life.
2. Phase 2 (Ages 16 to 17 years and 8 months): Performance Acceleration and Nazaré Conquest
From that day forward, the training scaled to a new level. The goal was no longer just to improve, but to prepare the body and mind for giant wave surfing in 14 months. We implemented a planned and programmed training regimen where Taka trained 5 to 6 days per week, dedicating the seventh day to active recovery sessions.
The methodology focused on the specific strength and cardiovascular resilience required to survive and execute at Nazaré.
Breakdown of the High-Performance Training
| Skill Worked | Objective and Application for Nazaré |
| Max Strength | Building lean muscle mass to protect and stabilize joints (shoulders, knees, lower back) against the extreme forces of wave impact. |
| Endurance Strength | Maximizing cardiovascular capacity to ensure Taka could maintain high performance during long surf sessions and recover rapidly after a wipeout. |
| Power and Explosive Force | Transformation Phase: Developing the ability to generate maximum energy in the shortest time possible, crucial for a quick take-off and necessary escape maneuvers. |
| Specific Volume Training | Pool Training with Surfboard: Simulating giant wave paddling conditions to increase upper body muscular endurance, acceleration capacity, and equipment familiarity. |
| Breath Training | Hypoxic and Apnea: Working on mental and physiological control under oxygen deprivation. This skill is vital for managing panic, maintaining calm, and conserving oxygen during a prolonged hold-down after a wipeout. |
This rigorous, scientific approach to strength, cardio, and mental resilience allowed Taka to accelerate his performance and meet the Nazaré challenge at 17 years and 8 months.
3. The Result (At 17 Years and 8 Months): The Milestone
The progression successfully culminated. At 17 years and 8 months, Taka achieved his dream, proving that a structured plan and consistency can compress years of learning into an accelerated progression, defying age expectations.
Conclusion: The Value of Long-Term Coaching
Taka’s ROAD TO NAZARÉ is proof that, with the right methodology and discipline, you can achieve ambitious goals much sooner than you think possible. He is not an anomaly; he is the result of a proven system.
If a 13-year-old can go from "wanting to improve" to surfing Nazaré at 17 with our structure, imagine what we can achieve in your own progression.
What is Your "ROAD TO..."?
What is your goal? To achieve record progression? To master big waves before your twenties? If you are looking for the same structure, data analysis, and emotional dedication that brought Taka to this milestone:
Discover our 15 years of proven, specialized methodology for performance acceleration. Your "ROAD TO..." starts today!