Born in Hermosa Beach, California, Mitch Benton was always drawn to the water and by 1962, began his stand up surfing career.  After four years of surfing and hanging out in the local shops, (as groms back then did), he made the natural evolution to hand shaping in 1966 and never looked back.

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Growing up in the Hermosa Area, Benton was exposed to and inspired by shaping greats like Bing, Webber, Knowles, Patrillas and many others.  Simply by keeping his mouth shut and observing he quickly picked up the tricks of the trade, and found his own signature style.  

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As the surfing revolution grew, California quickly became too crowded for this empty wave chaser and he quickly found himself migrating south, to the Baja peninsula in Mexico, with K-38 as his daily haunt.  To this day, Benton cites Scorpion Bay as one of his favorite breaks to surf.

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It was in Mexico that he began shaping big wave guns, chasing as he always did, "natural man made speed", with surfers seeking his boards for their strength, speed and reliability.  

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In 2008 Benton again became restless and found himself drawn to the gorgeous Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, and the West Coast surf mecca of Rincón, where he currently surfs, shapes, and resides with his dog Tater.  

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In the recent years, Mitch has turned to mentoring, gathering students like bugs to a lamp.  One such student, David, adopted Benton, and has stayed on as an apprentice, ding repair aficionado, and friend.  You'll see the pair of them rocking out in the shop, with four hands working sometimes as if from one mind.

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