70's Singles with Alex Knost

Back in the 70s, surfboards were made with stiff single fins and rolled bottoms. Not the tamest beasts underfoot, but when done right, surfing these babies looks quite majestic.

Alex Knost does a remarkable job of making it look easy in this vid from 10 Days in Central America, a web series by RVCA released last year. He’s got his own surfboard company call Brown Microwave Television, which bases their designs around ‘outdated or overlooked’ surfboard shapes. So when we see him here on a 70’s single fin, it’s probably not actually from the 70’s but instead a modern recreation of the same. Don’t let that fool you though, the boards are true to the original design which makes them unstable, difficult to turn and with such minimal nose rocker, very easy to stuff-in on a steep takeoff.

So step back in time with us, and pretend you’re surfing on the golden age of the sport. The 70s, where hanging ten was for the cool kids, and barrels were stuff of legends. Imagine if this guy was doing this, back then…