knost

This past weekend I was reminded of what surfing is all about. So easily i get caught up in the competition of the line-up and the craving for waves that I forget about how special this lifestyle is. All it took for me to be reminded was a 3 day trip with a few buddies and a casual interaction with Alex Knost. While stopping in IV as we arrived in Santa Barbara, my friends and I had the opportunity to sit down and share a few beers with Alex at a little pizza place. His demeanor and authenticity was something that was so rejuvenating. The fact that I think Alex Knost is the raddest longboarder in the world was only a part of the stoke for me. Knost was such a friendly and real person, sharing his experiences and insight on surfing, board shapes and the culture as a whole. His words echoed the truths of car conversation my friends and I had on the way down south. Surfing isn't about being agro or fitting into some mold. Its about being unique and doing things your own way while sharing the experiences surfing offers with those who love it as much as you do. It was so refreshing to be able to sit down with a guy who I look up to as a surfer and see that he was more than willing to share time, space, and a beer with a couple of guys like us.