TEST PILOT SPOTLIGHT: ERIK KNUTSON

WHO YOU ARE, WHERE YOU’RE FROM AND WHAT YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT?
My name is Erik Knutson, I grew up on a sailboat in Hawaii.  My passions lie within the ocean, enjoying it on surfboards foil, boards, sailboats, and diving. I tagalong and shoot with John [Florence] so whatever his interests become, I generally have to join in. We’ve also been experiencing hiking and camping trips in the Ko'olau mountain range so I’ve been finding beauty in land activities as well.

YOUR DISCIPLINE (E.G. CLIMBING, SURFING, PADDLING – YOU CAN LIST MULTIPLE)
Lately, I’ve been really stoked on downwind foiling. Surfing still is my favorite thing to do but all ocean and board sports have been my favorite pastimes!

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I grew up on the South Shore of Oahu and moved to the North Shore for high school and college where I still live today.

WHAT OUTDOOR ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? 
I would say re-energizing my love for sailing has been an awesome accomplishment. Getting to sail between the Hawaiian islands, as well as to Palmyra, Fanning Island, and most recently to Fiji and throughout those islands have been an awesome experience for me and being able to film in these exotic places in the water and and show the world. Some of these beautiful locations have been a dream.

WHAT’S THE NEXT CHALLENGE FOR YOU?
I would say for me personally it would be going on longer trips in the mountains, as well as more distant sailing and longer downwind runs on the foil.