I’ve never surfed east of Panama City on the panhandle, though I’ve often wondered what it would be like surfing St. George Island, and areas around there. This is Mark Anderson surfing St. George Island in 1971. Look closely and you’ll spot his tennis shoes. He had stepped on a sting ray a few days prior.
Mark made the board himself – a 6’0″ single fin with two tiny half moon stabilizers on the tail. He figures it was the first surfboard ever made in Franklin County – at Magnolia Bluff in Eastpoint, Florida.
Mark is a super interesting guy. He’s surfed several places around the world. He has amazing stories from his travels, of people he has met. He may be the only Pensacola guy to have surfed Kelly’s wave pool in Lemore, Calif. Add to all that, he’s a talented musician.
Photo by Max Anderson