Kanoa Palmiano
At just 17 years old, Kanoa Hee-Jae Palmiano is already redefining what it means to be a surfer in South Korea. Born in Gangneung and raised between Korea, Canada, and the Philippines, his life has never followed a straight line—and neither has his path in the water. As a mixed-race Korean, Kanoa has spent his life moving between cultures, languages, and coastlines, all while developing a surfing style and mindset that are uniquely his own.
Now based in the quiet surf town of YangYang, Kanoa trains with intensity and purpose, preparing for national and international competitions, including his biggest goal yet: winning gold at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. He surfs nearly every day, balancing the rhythm of waves with homeschooling, global travel, and the quiet sacrifices that come with chasing a dream.
In this candid interview, Kanoa reflects on growing up between identities, what it means to be mixed Korean in today’s Korea, and how surfing has become more than a sport—it’s become his way of life.