Skip Savage

Skip Savage is a Rehoboth Beach native.   He joined the military in the 60s and got stationed in FL, he wanted to be stationed in Dover to be closer to home but FL turned out to be a fortunate experience, thats where he was exposed to surfing.   Many friendships were made at that time, allowing him to surf legendary spots and be part of the evolution of surfboard design. After the military he headed back to Delaware, opened up a surf shop and continued to spread the surf stoke in our area.  Skip was a  top rated ESA competitor for many years and was inducted to the East Coast Legends Hall of Fame 1996.

name:Thurman Franklin Savage

nickname:Skip

age:67

weight:170 lbs

stance:Switch foot

home town:Rehoboth Beach, De.

home break:Indian River Inlet

board:long board

When did you start surfing?

Started surfing in 1964

How long were you in the military for? did you get a lot of surfing time while in the military?

In the U.S. Air Force for four years and being stationed in Orlando, got to surf every day I was off duty. Ended up renting a place in Cocoa Beach to make it easier to stay over.

How did “surf shop east” come about?

Before I was discharged from the service, I started thinking about what I was going to do. Since I loved surfing so much, it was inevitable that it had to be something related to surfing.

that was in 1966.

How many people surfed in rehoboth at that time?

Hard to put a number on the people who surfed there then, but it certainly was not that many. Basically just all your friends or soon to be friends. There were quite a few in Ocean City though. That was a long drive back then.

Have the waves changed a lot since those days?

The waves have not changed since then, but the beaches and breaks have. And of course the amount of people in the water. Our biggest problem back then was dogging weights from the surf fishermen!

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What was the best spot to surf at that time?

The BEST spot was the Inlet....both sides. Also the jetties in front of Henlopen Hotel and the Cove.

How much has the ESA changed with the years?  How many years did you surf competitively?

The ESA has changed and evolved just like everything in surfing. At one point it was getting so big membership wise it failed to keep up with the age groups especially the girls and woman's divisions. But, all in all, I don't think that there are contest run on a more  predictable time schedule. I have surfed the ESA in both De. and Fl. and the contest that was most fun was the HO-HO Surf Off. At the Inlet in December by Harry Wilson. That was a dedicated bunch of surfers and spectators!! I started surfing in the ESA in 1971. My best years were 2001  and 2002 when I won the district, regional and east coast championships and placed second in the U.S. Championship.

I still compete, but only selected local charitable events.

When were you inducted in the Surf Legend Hall of Fame?  

The official word went out in late 1995 to be in Orlando at Surf Expo January of 1996. Twenty two surfers were inducted during that event. The two days before the induction were certainly filled with nervousness. After the show ended on Saturday, we went to a hall that was a brand new part of the Convention Center. As we entered the hall, soft Hawaiian music was playing, lights were dim, we all relaxed and it turned into surfing history.

Do you still surf all the time?

I live right on the beach in Cocoa Beach and usually surf right out front. It's never crowded. It might be better some where else, but proximity breeds contentment.

Your all time best surf session in Delaware?

Hard to remember the best sessions up there. There were so many, but one instance was surfing in the Cove. I remember taking off on a wave, riding it and looking back at another person riding a different wave behind me, THEN a third person riding yet another wave. Those rides were so long and perfectly peeling off up  the beach.

Worst wipe out or experience in the water?

I'd have to say the worst problem I've had in the water was being stung by a Portuguese Man of War.

What type of board  do you think works best in Delaware waves?

I've always been partial to long boards so.......

Can we say that you love Delaware?

Born and raised in De. There are many other places, but I always say I'm from there and proud if it.

Rehoboth Beach Museum has a surf exhibit, going on  have you checked it out?

From every thing I've heard, it sounds very nice. I sent some things up there.

What is something that you are most proud of?

I am proud of being involved in a sport that has been my life for the past forty seven years.

What is some advice you can give to all the surfers in the area?

Advise for surfers every where; be friendly, be respectful and have fun.  Pretty simple. Carpe Wavem