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!

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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