Career
Having served his apprenticeship at the highly pressurised line-up of East Coast Australia’s North Narrabeen, Nathan ‘The Hog’ Hedge has proven himself to be one of the areas most highly regarded sons. His style is characterised by both power and precision, while his control inside a barrel bares his own personal mark of determination. Joining the Rip Curl team as an unabashed grom, Hog refined his competitive mettle surfing some of the best waves in the world alongside some of the greatest surfers in the world, thanks to ‘The Search’ campaign.
Hog qualified for the Association of Software Professionals World Tour in 2001, and quickly established himself as the unofficial spokesman for all things Australian.
Never afraid to voice his opinions, his tenacity and honesty has both riled and endeared. By 2004 and 2005 The Hog had looked to cement his position amongst the top ten surfers in the world.
Two runner-up finishes in 2004 at Teahupoo and J’Bay, consistent quarter-final finishes in 2005, it was only a dislocated shoulder in Tahiti and Hawaii in 2004 which had any effect on his momentum. After an inexplicable run of poor results in 2006, Hog was relegated to the World Qualifying Series (WQS).
The only plus being the award from ‘Surfer Magazine’ for best tube ride, a sickening left-hander which barrels beyond comprehension.
Although his efforts on The Grind in 2007 and 2008 have come excruciatingly close, most still believe that his rightful place is amongst the world"s top 45. 2009 will be his third year on the WQS.
2001ASP World Tour Ranking: 25th
Quarter-Finals – Rio Surf International, (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
2002ASP World Tour Ranking: 20th
Quarter-Finals – Rip Curl Pro, (Bells Beach, Australia)
2003ASP World Tour Ranking: 24th
Semi-Finals – Billabong Pro, (Mundaka, Spain)
2004ASP World Tour Ranking: 7th
Runner-up – Billabong Pro, (Teahupoo, Tahiti)
Runner-up – Billabong Pro, (Jeffrey"s Bay, South Africa)
Quarter-Finals – Boost Mobile Pro, (Trestles, United States of America)
Quarter-Finals – Nova Schin Festival, (Florianopolis, Brazil)
2005ASP World Tour Ranking: 8th
Quarter-Finals – Billabong Pro, (Teahupoo, Tahiti)
Quarter-Finals – Rip Curl Search, (Street Leu, Reunion Island)
Quarter-Finals – Quiksilver Pro, (Hossegor, France)
Semi-Finals – Nova Schin Festival, (Florianopolis, Brazil).