Bill Medford- Local Legend

by Gel Clemmer

Name:  Bill Medford

Age: 43

Weight: 175lb

Stance: Regular

Home Town: Ocean View,DE

Home Break: Indian River Inlet

Board: 6’ 6” Round Tail Hot Buttered but a nice 9ft nose rider will do any day.

Bill Medford is one of Delaware's best surfers.  A local legend, he is the inspiration for many up-and-coming surfers in the area.  Medford can surf any wave, any size and any condition. He has one of the most stylish cutbacks you've ever seen. You would think a surfer this good would be arrogant and aggressive in the water, but he remains humble, respectful and very patient. When you watch him surf, you can see the passion and love for the sport. He is a true surfer who cares deeply about the ocean and beaches.

Where are the Medfords from?  Wife grew up in Rehoboth. I grew up in Dover but had a beach house at South Shore Marina from 1970 to 1985 when I moved for good!

Did you have anyone who influenced you to surf?   My brother and I body boarded and skimmed. I sucked. So he told me to buy a board for $50.00 and try. Probably would not have tried if it wasn’t for him.

Bill surfing a small day in DE

Have you ever been into competitive surfing?  ESA for a few years.Did ok went to the Easterns a couple times did ok but there are a lot of good guys out there. After a while it got too stressful and I just wanted to surf.

How much have the waves changed in the Delaware over the years?   Seems like we have less big waves now and my favorite spot is gone anyway.

What was it like growing up in DE?    Whenever I was in Dover it was incredibly boring,fortunately,we spent tons of time at our beach house at South Shore Marina.

Do you play any instruments?   I clank on the guitar a little but I stink.

What inspires you to surf everyday?    Just being at the beach. I don't care if it's good or not I still feel the same as I did as a kid just rolling around in the surf.

Most surfers have that one wave, the wave that you can say "man I'll never forget that one", do you have one?  I've had a few big days in Hatteras where  the waves were big and perfect!!

What is one of your best experiences surfing?   My first barrel,South side was hauling and I wound up somehow standing inside this big perfect barrel.

Everything was cool and all of a sudden I got drilled and smashed in the face by my board.

your scariest moment in the water?    

The first time I tried to paddle out in big winter Ocean City I got caught inside in a crappy wetsuit and got held down forever.

You are a family man, and have a beautiful son and wife, are they supportive of your surfing? Does your son like to surf?    Marcy has supported it from the start 15 years ago and my son loves it second only to baseball.

How important are family values to you?       

More important than anything else. As a parent you have a job to do, your kids need you more than anything. A little positive reinforcement and validation goes a long way!! They hinge on your every word so do them right.

I know your  dog  passed last year are you planning on getting another one?   We used to have a dog named Lucky,now we have a cockatiel named Vinny who is my soulmate.

Can beach goers in Delaware make a difference on our beaches?   Trash,mainly plastic bottles is a huge problem that I see daily. If you brought it to the beach with you please remember to take it with you. And it doesn't hurt if you would pick up someone else's garbage too! Delaware has some beautiful beaches and they could stay that way with everyone's help.

What  makes a perfect day for you?  Surf early,go home to the wife and kid,play some baseball with my son,maybe surf again. Fortunately, I have a good boss who's just as stoked as I am so I never really miss it.

 How many surfboards do you own?   Way too Many!! Maybe 15 or 20.

ever shape a board?  I tried but I don't have the patience. My brother  Kris makes a good quad and longboard.

Could you communicate the surfing experience to non-surfers?     I don't think I could put it into words. It's so soulful and spiritual and peaceful yet it can be intense and gnarly. Nothing else that I've ever done comes close.

What is some advice about surfing and surf etiquette to people just starting out?    Rule #1 is the rule that gets broken the most you have to look and make sure nobody else is up and riding.

All you have to do is turn your head and look. There is a definite pecking order at any given break everyone especially beginners need to respect it. The better surfers usually are found on the best peak and beginners actually will catch more waves by moving down the beach to the lesser wave and observing the more experienced surfers while they learn. This is not meant to push the lesser experienced surfers away from the best peak but merely to lessen the risk to themselves and others.It's a lot easier to earn your spot in the pecking order if you know what you're doing. Taking lessons would be a good idea.

Thanks for the interview Bill and a big thanks to Marcy