Every home town beach has a group of surfers who have been the examples and represent the over all attitude of a those areas.  There are those surfers whose ability alone stand out and others whose other contributions or over all attitude of leadership in the line up have played an important role. Freddy Esposito has fallen into a couple of these categories over the years in his home break of Pensacola Beach Florida.   Freddy was instrumental in the getting skateboarding started in the area back in the late seventies and has been part of the local guard who has kept the surfing spirit alive in the area.  Whether it be a surf stoked elder,  to a music stoked drummer in a local legendary band,  Freddy Esposito is part of the fabric which makes up Pensacola Beach Surfing.

1.What got you into Surfing and later into skate boarding.
My Dad use to take me swimming on the sound side. One day we went over to gulf and I saw people surfing an hanging together at the Pier.
I ask my dad what’s going on…who are these people and what are they doing?

2. Who were your early influences, who have remained influences and who do you have as influences now
Jeff Hackman, David Nuuhiwa ,Bertleman and of course Gerry Lopez. tThen locals like BZR Turner ,Yancy Spencer, Steve Davis and Gerry Babin. Now…people like Rastavich and Dan Malloy who travel and experiment with all types of boards

3. How do you see surfing and surfing culture today as opposed to yesterday. Same with Skateboarding.
Well…over exposed….all of it. It’s about selling a product

4. You have been through a few surfboard transitions…which era to you believe was the most influential with regards to the surfboard and the Skateboard?
For me the 70’s watching short boards and twin fins with surfboards and polyurethane wheels for skateboarding.

5. Which three surfers do you believe were the most influential worldwide since you began surfing.
Dora and Lopez and of course Larry Bertleman..but it’s hard to just list three..there have been so many

6. Which three surfers in your area, do you believe have been the most influential from the standpoint of their surfing alone.
Bzr,Yancy and Brian Waters because he shaped boards. Rick Settlemire for me …wow what a style

7. What would you say your general philosophy on life is with regards to surfing
Never Stop, never think you are too old, and never say…”I use to surf”

8. What do you think of the trend by some to ride equipment from past generations
It’s about time, some shapes worked great, but new trends pushed them out. A good board is a good board, no matter when it was shaped. Forget fashion, it’s about function.

9. Do you see any changes in surfboards happening again like we have with the M.R. twin or the Slater skinny rocked out boards or do you see more refinement of older and already proven designs.

I hope so, but most kids just look at the pros thinking if they ride the same boards they will surf like them…WRONG

10. What were the old days like on Pensacola Beach before Surfing became huge business in the eighties and nineties. How is it different today

Well it a question of budgets. Back in the old days here in Pensacola, you could get into surfing rather cheap, anyone could afford a new stick. Now it seems to be about fashion and trends, I think there was more soul in the old days here and surfing was more of a cult…not a business.

11. Some have said there doesn’t seem to be such a noticeable surf culture in the Pensacola area like there used to be. Do you that is true… or has it simply warped into something with a different look

There’s plenty of surfers here, but as far as culture, yes that has changed it’s look and feel. I’m one of those lucky people who still surf with my friends that I started with. To us…it feels the same.

12. Going back a bit and off of surfing…what was it like to be one of the guys responsible for starting the skateboard culture in Pensacola.

Back then we all knew we were on to something new and different, but remember we were just kids and stoked no matter what. It all was happing so fast. All I really wanted to do was skate, that’s what it really was about for me…I was just lucky

13. How was it being paid great money and skating for free and managing the old paved wave park…at a time hardly anyone got paid to surf or skate?

I remember telling my Mother I was going to get paid for skateboarding…she just laughed and said make sure you cash that check today! It was quite unreal to me then …..and now.

14. Today it seems wooden ramps are the norm…and your beginning to see some concrete parks…..is there a difference between those two mediums

Concrete parks are coming back everywhere now…it’s the feel of concrete that I love..smooth and quiet…like surfing. They are like the old pools we use to skate..only really nice

15. How were those early days of skateboarding and building your old skateboards different than today

That’s an easy question…everything I made was my hand…pick out the wood and shape it. Now it’s all factory made by the 1000’s.

16. Was music a major part of your life then along with surfing and skating or did you start playing with bands later.

Instrumentals and drum beats for me where the soundtracks to my surfing and skating. To me a wave, a hill, or bowl was just a solo I could play…The music never stopped in may head…it still doesn’t

17. what do you see as the difference between what they call industry driven surfing or skating and just surfing or skating

Surfing and Skateboarding is still to me a very private thing. The Industry has made it too much of a rockstar image. It’s the waves and the act of surfing or skating that should influence people, not how much money they can make.

18. The Pensacola area surf culture has been described as friendly..do you agree and if so, why would you think that is true vs some other more aggressive areas of surfing

The surfers here really have to wait for good waves. When they arrive we are just so stoked to have them. I think that keeps us friendly and stoked. Plus we live in a really small town…that sure helps

19. How do you keep your stoke in an area that can have frustrating dry spells with regards to surf

I never have forgotten how very lucky I am to have traveled and surfed all my life. I have plenty of incredible memories and friends I have made. I still spend time with them, plus living and working on the beach really helps

20. Desert Island Question: If your on a desert island: Mary Ann, Ginger, or your favorite surfboard.

My Wife Heidi and my surfboard

21. Would you like to add anything else?

Thanks!