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!  

Johnny Weber!!!!

Photo by Skyler Wilson

To say that John Weber is amazingly skilled right now after winning the World Skimboard Championships is misleading.  He has been killing it in the water for years now, and he is only sixteen.  You can spot him catching the longest rides on a skimboard or surfboard and does tricks effortlessly.  He stands out in the water and with his charming personality he wins his peers and public's respect and appreciation.    John is a world class surfer and he is still getting better every day.  Plain and simple he just flows.

Name: John Weber

Nickname: BooBoo, my dad calls me that because when I was little kid I used to have scratches, scars and cuts all over me.

Age:16yrs old, 17 in two days!

Weight:146lb

Stance:Goofy

home town:Lewes< DE

home break:naval jetty , or rehoboth, depends on the waves and if I have school that day.

board: Hague fish I ride a lot and Exile skimboard

Sponsors: Exile Skimboards, Dewey Beach Surf Shop and Skim City

Questions:

You skim and surf what did you start doing first and how old where you?  I started skimming when I was 8 or 9 and I started surfing with my dad, he used to paddle with me on the front of the board when I was two or three and he would hold me and surf.  Pretty much after that I surfed and skimming came about one day, I met a few people that skimmed and I started doing it.

Do you have a favorite, skimming or surfing?   I like surfing more, the waves  are longer and can surf bigger waves, but skimming  is still fun, you can skim when there are no waves, instead of being bored sitting at home, you can go out and skim.

How was your summer?  My summer was good, I worked on a fishing boat, I worked pretty much every single day, but I still caught some good waves.

 heard you got first place in the World Skimboard Championships?    it was in Laguna Beach, at Aliso Beach, yeah I got first, I went out there with my friend Max Wheeler, me and him are best friends, he skims too.  He got 2nd in his age group and I got 1st in mine.   

 best skim session ever? Probably days at the Naval Jetty when the waves are really long and a bunch of friends there.,

best surf session ever?  I remember one time going to Mexico and surfing this point with my dad, all alone and we surfed for hours and hours.  It was a right point break, you walk ten miles out to the end of this point, that would have to be the most fun.

worst wipe out?  I hurt my knee one time in Dewey, skimming, I hyper extended it, still hurts today, and that was four or five years ago.  But I've never had any incidents where I was held under or witness death.  Nothing crazy

what other sports do you do?  I used to play Lacrosse, I've played since I was five, all the way to last year and then last year I didn't want to play because it just got to serious, it wasn't for fun anymore.

Who has influenced you,  any favorite surfers or skimmers?  For surfing definitely my dad, cause we always surf together.  If I didn't go out cause it was too big he would encourage me to go out, which has made me better.  Skimboarding, Blair Cherico, owner of Dewey Beach Surf Shop, he kinda got me my first board got me up and running and Jeff Dearie, which was one of Blair's friends and one of my friends, we used to skim Gordon's Pond.  They are the two that have really influenced me the most.

any skimboard tricks that you are working on?  Not really, I want to go to different spots, catch different waves, bigger waves, I want to be able to say I skimmed or surfed that wave.

do surf and skim in the winter?  I surf more in the winter because skimming with a wetsuit its slower and can't get out as far and its not as fun. I like to surf in the winter 

can you describe the feeling of riding a wave?  Its fun, there is nothing like it, kinda like roller coaster, once your done you want to catch another one and another one. Keep doing it.

how would you describe your personality?  I'm easy going, I like to skim contest but I rather skim with friends alone somewhere, just me and them and perfect waves, no one else.

your plans for the winter and the coming year?  I get to go to California this month on the 28th to Balboa, for a contest, near the Wedge in Newport and I hope to go out there and do well and other than that going to Mexico with my dad on a surf trip.

are you going pro?  I'm not sure yet, I haven't decided, I still got a long ways to skim amateur.

anything you would like to add?  Yeah, keep the beaches clean, keep going in the water and respect the ocean......and to the lifeguards, let us surf when there are waves lifeguards didn't let us in the water today!!!

Photo by Gel Clemmer

Photo by Gel Clemmer

• Thanks for the interview Johnny and Happy Birthday!

Adam Benson

Born and raised in Rehoboth Beach Adam Benson is one of the best skaters to come out of Delaware.   Adam lives in  California now.  He is a professional skater and avid surfer.  When he is not skating or surfing you can find him playing music with his band.    

Name: Adam Thomas Benson

Nickname: Delaware Adam 

Age: Getting too old

Weight: Don't worry about it

Stance: Crazy leg (regular)

Home Town: Rehomo Beach!

Home Break: Henlopen or poodle

Board: 8.375 Scum 

What have you been up to ? Skating too much, falling alot, partying and teaching English. Neglecting this interview for too long as well. 

Going back time,what made you start surfing and skating? how old where you? My pops, Bruce Benson, the living legend rock star tile man, is who I credit for the influence of everything, surfing, skating, playing music. He's the man. I don't remember it, but I've heard stories about him shaping skateboards in the bathroom when I was really young. And putting swirls in the fiberglass. 

I also have to credit my older brother Luke for getting me on board. He skated before I did and he took us all over the place and gave me a good reference point in terms of terrain and style. I wish we were skating together right now. 

I think I started surfing when I could swim on my own, and I got my first skate when I was 8. Almost 20 years deep. That's too long.

When did you know you wanted to be a professional skater?

When I realized that work is for the birds.

Who is part of your skate crew?

Current: Hard Rocking Al, The Iceman, Tubesteak Jake, other SF heads.

Forever: Luke, Colin, Wack Zak, Danny Provolone, Confessor, Bud Baum, those who kept it real (at least in the past).

why do you love skateboarding?

It's fast and it hurts, and I don't need anyone else to have a good time. No teams, no time schedule. Also, sometimes skateboarding involves not skateboarding. It's everything. 

What is your life motto?

Currently, living it fast.

who do you look up to?

My mom and dad, of course. They supplied my siblings and I with an amazing life while working extremely hard and I am forever grateful. 

Also, I look up to anyone to still skates/surfs despite age and injury. Bud Baum is 50 and still slams at fdr on a regular basis. I hope I can walk when I'm 50 (or be alive at least).

What are some of the goals you would like to achieve?

I'd really like to take my teaching career overseas for a few years, get a taste of the world, skate some new stuff. I'm seriously considering going back to Barcelona if I can land a teaching job there.

Other than that, skate and play music as long as I can.

Funniest experience this year?

Almost getting hit by a car and having my board run over, on my way to work, two days in a row. No lie. The second day the guy gave me 40 bucks, so that was cool.

Your favorite skaters?

Wack Zak, Omega Herbert, Bud Baum, Philthy Phil

best surf session ever?

Last October in Rehoboth with Sean Wood. Was the storm name Claude? One of the best barrels of my life.

best skate session ever?

Any curb session with the buds and some cold ones.

worst wipe out?

My 24th birthday at steamer lane. Two wave hold under, way too close to the cliff. I wanted to be skating bordertown at the time. Thanks Colin.

favorite place to skate?

Where do the pirates skate? F D RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

favorite trick to do?

frontside grind or butt slide

street, park or pool?

any, unless the pool is gonna be gone soon.

heard you have a band?

ROCK BOTTOM. We have a face page I think. Check it out. "Like" us. 

your thoughts on Delaware skate scene?

It seems to be a lot radder now than when I lived there. Stoked for the kids that have more than just a curb or walmart ledge to skate. Willy Akers is holding it down hardcore for 5boro, pro board for him soon?

thanks and shout outs?

Mom and Dad of course, Leah, Luke, Colin, Atlan, Amelia, Levi, I love you guys. Kinetic Skate Shop, Scum Skates, all the people that have put up with my shit, all the sf heads who let me stay on their couches while I was finding a place. Everyone in Rehoboth, hit me up if you come out west. And you Gel for doing this with me.

Thanks for the interview Adam, you rock!

Sailing for waves! RICHARD CONING INTERVIEW

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Name:   Richard Coning

Age: 20

Weight: 165lb

Stance:  regular

Home Town: lewes, de

Home Break:  herring point

Board:  Right now I like a 6’2” Sharp Eye that I got this past winter.

Local surfers Richard Coning, Alden Nelson and Dane Wooleyhan decided to take a sailing trip to the Caribbean last November in search of some waves and a place to spend the winter.   Caribbean waters are soaked with legends of pirates, treasures and adventure.  To sail from Delaware to the Virgin Islands  can be a tremendously rewarding experience, something to remember for a lifetime.    Richard and I got to hang out and talk about their trip.

You surf, skim and skate, when did it all start?

I started surfing when I was in 6th grade I got a surfboard for my birthday and have been surfing ever since, I started out at Herring Point.   Started skimboarding a little bit earlier, I did the Alley Oop skim camps,  had a lot of fun there.  I skated as a kid and stopped for a little bit, now I do it for fun or transportation, I like to longboard.

How did you get into sailing?

My friend Alden (Nelson)  parents used to sail when they were younger, they sailed to the Caribbean. A couple of years ago they bought a sail boat and Alden got into it and then I started to get into it.  It seemed like a good way to travel to surf.

How long have you been sailing?  Was this your first big trip?

We have been sailing for two or three years, yeah it was our first.  We wanted to go to the Caribbean and surf, I had been there the year before, so I surfed a bit then.  Alden had just graduated collage and decided to come down this time and his parents let us take the boat.

Did you find any good waves?

Yeah, we found a couple, it was a really good experience.   You can always go surf it was more of getting there, without a car is difficult.    Sometimes it was really windy, but we picked up windsurfing, we ended up working at a windsurf shop so we got to go windsurfing when there weren’t waves.

Where were you guys?

We were mainly in the Virgin Islands, we lived on a boat in St. John, and surfed in Tortola.  That’s where all the waves are.

Where you ever scared or worried when sailing?

There were a couple of times we got woken up in the middle of the night, it was really windy and the boat had too much sails up, everyone would have to  wake up and click our harnesses to the boat and take down some sails.

How far off the coast did you guys go?

Our course was to go from here towards Bermuda, which is about 400 to 500 miles off of the North Carolina coast and then we went down from Bermuda  to the Virgin Islands.

How long did it take you guys to sail from DE to the Virgin Islands

It took about two weeks.

Did you fish for your food?  

We caught two fish on the way, two Mahi Mahis. Luckily our friend Dane is a commercial fisherman, he did all the cutting.  The boat has a stove and oven, its pretty cool, it rocks back and forth as the boat moves while is cooking.

what were the essentials you brought on the boat?

We each brought 3 surfboards, ton of food,  fresh food, can food, rice, pasta, gallons of water and the boat held about 90 gallons of water.

Will you do it again, may be different location?

Yeah we been thinking about looking online and may be buying a boat and doing the whole Caribbean.

Best experience of the trip? 

The coolest thing was realizing that we were able to do it.  None of us had really known what was going to happen.  It was cool to see that when we were in the middle of the ocean we knew enough to be able to do it.  We were capable.

Worst experience?   

The boat lost a couple of pieces along  the way, We had to jump in the water and inspect the boat.   Part of the rudder broke which is crazy.  I think rough weather did it, we went through a couple of tropical storms and a North Easter

What did you guys do when you weren't sailing? 

 We surfed three to four times a week, went on hikes, made friends with a few of the locals, hung out and  got jobs renting windsurfs and kayaks.

When did you guys get back?

Dane left after a month.  Alden and I got back a few weeks ago, he had to fly back for a meeting, I met a guy and sailed back with him to Bermuda and then to Boston.  The way back was rough again but fun.

So you are a sailor!

(laughs) yeah I’m glad I picked it up, I  definitely feel a lot more comfortable after doing this trip.  

Now that you are back what are your plans for the summer?

Think I’m gonna lifeguard this summer and try to pick up a restaurant job at night, and focus on my filming. 

Future plans?

I want to travel and keep filming surfing, pretty much anything water oriented or skateboarding.

Thanks for the interview Richard!  Contact Richard through his facebook page if you are interested in having surf, skim and skate videos made this summer.    

Richard Coning