Paul Camenisch

Paul Camenisch has been traveling the world in search of waves, culture and environmental awareness.  His message is to respect and keep the ocean and beaches clean.  Respect the mammals and support our community organizations.   He is making a difference in many levels, from his surfing to being an excellent role model to the local community.   

Name: Paul Camenisch

Nicknames: no nicknames! 

Age:   35

Weight: 150

Stance: regular

Home Town:  Milton

Home Break:  The world

Board: 5'10" twin fin, 19" 2"1/4, but all of them,  I'm addicted to surfboards just ask my wife.  I have quite a quiver I enjoy riding all boards, from small to long.

Sponsor:  Prana Clothing, Rehoboth Beach Surf Shop

How long have you been surfing?   I've been surfing since I was twelve,  I was always a skater, skated a lot when I was a kid, I bodyboarded and then I just wanted to surf.  I got my first board, it was a  used board, from Fenwick and I kept doing it, I kept trying whenever I could get to the beach, then I got my license and started going more and more.  

you are a world class wave surfer, what are some of the places you have traveled to?  I can't say I'm a world class wave surfer, I like surfing world class waves!.  I've been to New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Fiji, Indonesia, Chile, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, and Canada.

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and your all time favorite wave is? why?  Hollow Trees in Indo, it's a really challenging right hander reef break and it's challenging but so rewarding. That's what intrigues me, I love reef breaks, but I have many favorite waves.  There are so many waves out there and I like them all buy H Trees (Hollow Trees)  and Raglan in New Zealand, I caught it really good one time. Its hard to just pick one.  (laughs)

what is the key to surfing in different places? Tread lightly and show respect, what I have always enjoyed about surfing and what I have learned about is that you have to be one with the ocean and if I go to a different place I like to study the wave, see how it breaks, and not go out there thinking that I own it.  I respect it and try to take in what I see from other people.  Every wave is different, just got to enjoy the uniqueness of every wave.

Ive heard that if you like to surf and you don’t travel you are not being fair to yourself, do you agree?  I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to travel,and I know that not everybody has that opportunity.  I started traveling in my adult life and it is something that I enjoy, I have set the way I live my life to be able to travel, but the ocean is what you make of it, its a playground no matter where you are and some people have all they need in front of them, and if that satisfies them that's all it matters.  If you can't travel or if you can, you are what you make of what you have.  The moment that you are out surfing  is what counts, whether you are in Delaware or if it is around the world.   You don't have to travel around the world to get surf.

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how does one open fully to the ocean, the freedom of just going anywhere in search of waves?   The ocean is a power place, I'm happy I found the ocean, and always know there is  more to it than just the waves, its a whole Eco system, you have to look at as a whole and respect it.  I try to do my part as far as using it as something I love to do, by keeping it clean, respecting the animals that are around it, that is something that Ive gotten into more now that I'm older.  Try to be in balance with the ocean, not just use it for what is worth and disrespect it.  It involves my whole  lifestyle, I try to stay in tune with myself and all my surroundings, just flow.  The ocean is a place that I go to ground myself and get back in balance if I have to. Even if it is just to swim or go body surfing.    

Do you enjoy surfing smaller Delaware waves?   Yeah I do, its funny that you say, cause I think about that all the time when I'm traveling, it keeps everything in perspective, makes me appreciate where I come from and what I have, even going all around world, the waves are not always good and that's how it is here, I like to say every dog has its day, you can go to world class waves or different places in the world and you are not always going to get good waves, but here right at home, underneath your fingertips sometimes it lights up and its a magical session, you really have to be grateful for that.  I feel fortunate that  was raised close to the ocean as supposed of being land lock, I think being able to surf and go in the water every day keeps me in check.   If it works out that I get really good waves at home I'm just as happy if I was getting good waves somewhere else. 

What has been your best experience surfing DE-   My best experience in De would have to be being able to surf in the winter time, putting all the rubber on.  I really feel the waves always get better in the winter and there are not that many people around so I enjoy surfing with a select few, being able to enjoy what it has to offer, the elements that are thrown at you.  Not always catching the best wave but being one with nature in challenging conditions.  I say challenging because the waves in the winter time in Delaware, late fall or early spring,  can be just as challenging as anywhere, you are in with all the elements and have all this rubber on, you can't really function as you normally would, but it just fun to be out.  Finding gems, beautiful beach break barrels. Its here if you want to be committed 

What is your worst experience/ may be biggest wipeout?   I've had a lot of them!  I feel the worst experience is when you are paddling back out and you are digging' for the horizon and the wave is coming and you know its going to break and you try to get underneath of it but it breaks two feet in front of you, picks you up, tosses you around, spits you out, rolls you over, and all the sudden you don't know where you are at.  Those are worst then me falling on a wave.   Sometimes is fun but sometimes its like a roller coaster ride, but you gotta enjoy a good wipe out!

do you do any special training and diets?  I'm really into yoga, I like to stay in tune with my body through yoga and I have my own personal training practices that I do.    I enjoy swimming, I go to the Y in the winter, staying in shape and staying active.  Just staying active everyday even if it is a walk with my dog or getting my heart rate up, I feel that's important.  I try to eat a really healthy diet, try to eat all organic food, you are what you eat"  that's one thing I learned in college , what you put in your body can really affect your mood, performance, and things like that.

what has been the biggest swell you have surfed this year?  I just got back from indo, caught a pretty big swell there, caught some  6-8 foot reef break waves but I was in Chile in March and caught a pretty big swell there, 8' to 10' swell, really big sand bottom points there, where is was really top to bottom, with wet suit on, I would really say in March in Chile are some of the biggest waves I surfed this year.

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How was your recent trip to Bali?  Bali is amazing, its not only just the waves.  Bali is so alive and colorful, its a cool culture, they believe in the Yin and the Yang and they try to balance out their life with the good and evil.  I like to take into perspective those same principles in my life.  The people are a reflection of their surroundings and its cool to be in a place that can make you feel so small.   Something that I enjoy about traveling is being in different cultures and see how people live and relate it to where you live, see what they do in their daily lives.  One thing I really like to do when I'm in Bali is get on a moped and go in the rice paddy's early in the morning and I get to see all the people working, basically  going in the middle of it and see how they live their lives on that side of the world.    I don't travel only to surf but I also travel to learn about cultures in other parts of the world.   Makes me think about ways I live my life and what I can to better my self and people around me, just be a better person.

who are some of your  favorite surfers?   I enjoy watching all surfers, and taking a little bit from everybody, but some that I really enjoy surfing and just how they carry themselves, past, present , future.  Dave Rastovich, Slater ever since I was a kid, Slater is the man, and still winning now, he is older than I am, on top of his game at his age, it has a positive influence, you can still do a lot of stuff at any age.    Derek Hynd he is an old soul, he still carrying out the soul surfing in his life and Tom Curren.  Those guys are a big influence on me because they are soul surfers and not caught up on the media of surfing and that's something I try not to get caught up in, like traveling to places that are hyped up and rather going to places that I enjoy, not because its the new spot.  Surfing is a freedom and they reflect that.

you said you skate and do you snowboard?  I love to skate, I started skating before I surfed, I try to skate as much as I can but I just had my meniscus repair this past spring, so I haven't been able to skate in the past year and half, but I have a half pipe in my back yard that really needs some TLC so I'm hoping to get that thing back in order.     I really enjoy snowboarding, I lived out west for a couple of seasons, and I haven been in a couple of years cause of my knee problem but I'm really anxious to get  back on the slopes.

Your thoughts on SUP?  I'm a fan, I have one, I use it more for training in flat water, I take it out in the bay, been out twice this week, since I've been home, I don't have an opinion with surfing with an SUP.  I personally don't like going out in the line up with them, not that I disrespect anyone that does, I do feel they have their place in the line up and certain respects, but I choose not to bring them in the line up, but I do use them , its a great way to enjoy the water , you  get to see a lot of the activity that's going on around you being on top the water like that.     Its a useful tool, and that reminds me of my trade, carpentry, there is a tool for every job, I think you can use that in many respects , certain waves you need the right tool for the job if you don't you can get hurt.  I use that not only in my surfing life but also I use it in my career

Any projects that you are working on?   I'm a contractor by trade, I have a couple renovations going on.  I have also been trying to be more active in the community, I'm a ,member volunteer of MERR, which is the mammal rescue here in Lewes.  And with my clothing sponsor Prana Clothing, when I went to Chile I did a blog spot for all the water pollution issues and the things they have been dealing with like smog etc.   I've been trying to be more active about being respectful towards the ocean  and making people aware that they have to respect it.  Keep it clean and show respect for the animals that call it home.  Ocean awareness!!!

What do you have going on for the rest of the year and 2012?  I'm going to California in the beginning of November, my wife and I are going to take a road trip, gonna go visit my brother in law, he lives in San Francisco, go surf, travel and see some friends and family.  Also hopefully get to Hawaii in the winter time, and  2012 I tentatively I have a plan to go back to Indo in April, but I'm really anxious to seek new places, not just for surfing but for travel,  There are a lot of waves that I want to go find because it was really inspiring to go to South America and see the potential for waves in other places, there are other waves that are untapped that you can find.

anybody you would like to thank?   My beautiful supportive wife that deals with my surfing addiction she is my rock and my best travel partner too.   My parents that have always been supportive of me in everything I do, and everybody that I have met along the way, I've met some of my best friends traveling, and I'm thankful to be here today healthy and happy.  I also want to thank Prana Clothing and Rehoboth Beach Surf Shop.

How cool is your wife?  She is amazing, loving, beautiful, and she makes beautiful art jewelry,she has a killer gallery  in Rehoboth Beach, (Heidi Low Gallery) if any one wants to come out and support her , she is having a show the 8th of October, its going to be rad, she has been working really hard on it, influenced by the Silversmiths in Delaware, she was awarded an artisans grant from the state.   She has some really unique and beautiful pieces, she carries artist from all over the world.  Shout out to Heidi!  I love you!!!!     big ups to her and the Low family.

Thanks for the interview Paul and for everybody out there if you see trash please pick it up!