Typhoon Tommy Nuttall is the most decorated freestyle jet ski legend still actively competing and performing at age 62. A professional since 1993, Tommy “Typhoon” Nuttall has spent more than three decades defying expectations on the water. He turned pro after winning his first competition in 1991 and never looked back. From SeaWorld productions and Detroit River Days to national television appearances, Typhoon Tommy built a career that most athletes only dream about. At 62, he is still riding, still performing, and still inspiring a new generation of jet ski athletes.
Off the water, Nuttall is equally driven. He works as a full-time personal trainer and yoga teacher. His specialty is adaptive fitness and neurological challenges, including Parkinson’s disease. He coaches adults over 50, people with mobility limitations, and competitive athletes. He proves every day that age is no barrier to peak performance. An All-American college wrestler, skateboard enthusiast, hoverboarder, gymnast, and figure skater, Typhoon Tommy lives up to his name. He is a force of nature and a living example that “age doesn’t matter.”
We sat down with Nuttall to hear about his life on and off the freestyle jet ski. His story is one of passion, grit, and unstoppable momentum. Typhoon Tommy is just getting started.
How Typhoon Tommy Got His Start in Freestyle Jet Ski
The Wake Edit: How did you first get into jet skiing? Did you set off with the goal of doing it for a living?
Typhoon Tommy: I got into jet skiing in the late 80s almost by accident. I was already deep into wrestling and extreme sports. The first time I stood on a jet ski, I knew right away it was for me. I did not plan on doing it for a living. But once I entered my first competition in 1991 and turned pro in 1993, everything took off. Shows, competitions, SeaWorld, Baywatch-style performances, and TV interviews followed. It was never a business plan. It was pure passion. Decades later I am still doing freestyle at 62 because I love it. I recently won the virtual freestyle championship.
Favorite Jet Ski Models and Tricks
TWE: What is your favorite model to ride and favorite trick to do?
TT: I have ridden everything over the years. My favorites include stand-up freestyle skis for flat water tricks, the Kawasaki 550 which is the ski I learned on, and the 1996 Sea Doo XP which is my favorite sit-down ski. For tricks, I prefer technical moves. I love coming out backward, the spins, and the somersault off the engine cover. Those moves take timing, finesse, and nerve. That is what I enjoy most about freestyle jet ski performance.
Typhoon Tommy’s Dream Jet Ski Ride
TWE: Where is your dream jet ski ride?
TT: I have ridden in many incredible places. My dream run is Lake Havasu at sunrise with flat water and no wind. That is perfection. The Detroit River is home for me. There is something special about doing freestyle with the skyline behind you. That place built my career.
Overcoming Fear on the Water
TWE: Have you ever taken a big fall? How do you get over the fear of falling or wiping out?
TT: I have had very few falls in shows. I once hit my head on the handlebar and sliced my eye. I also crashed in Virginia Beach during a Bud Jet Sports tour and nearly broke my left wrist. Luckily, my hand bent back instead of breaking because I was well warmed up. That was the scariest moment. As for fear, I respect the danger and train for it. Good preparation and repetition remove fear. When you trust your skills and your body, you stay calm and focused. That is how I have stayed safe through decades of freestyle jet ski competition.
Typhoon Tommy Off the Jet Ski: Fitness Coach and Trainer
TWE: What do you do when you’re not on a jet ski?
TT: I coach and I teach. I am a full-time personal trainer and yoga teacher. I specialize in adaptive fitness and neurological challenges such as Parkinson’s. I work with older adults, people with mobility issues, and competitive athletes, including high school wrestlers and high jumpers clearing seven feet. My fitness business also keeps me strong enough to keep doing freestyle at 62. Whether I am in the gym, on a mat, or on the water, my mission is the same: help people move better, feel stronger, and live with purpose at any age. I also love paddle boarding and spending time in nature.
Follow Typhoon Tommy’s freestyle jet ski journey on Instagram. For more profiles of water sports icons, read our interview with Bianca Martins and Aleix Tejedor.
