Interview with Kanoa Hee-Jae Palmiano

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.

Please note that HalfKorean.com comments/questions are in BOLD.

Background: The Basics on Kanoa

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Gangneung City, South Korea. I spent most of my life in Gangneung but also lived in Vancouver, Canada and Siargao Island, Philippines.

My family and I currently live in YangYang, a small coastal town about 30 minutes north of Gangneung and about 3 hours east of Seoul.

Do you have any siblings?
Yes, I do. I have a younger sister. Her name is Kalani.

Do you speak Korean? How about Tagalog?
Yes, I speak Korean. Unfortunately, I can’t speak Tagalog. I only know a few words and can understand a little bit.

What has your “mixed Korean” experience been like?
Overall, it’s been good. It can be challenging having to understand three different cultures. But it has also given me so many more opportunities to learn, experience, and understand different things.

Have you grown up around any other mixed Koreans?
No, I haven’t.

For you, what has it been like living in Korea as a mixed race Korean?
I think it’s very different for me compared to other mixed race Korean because I look Korean. I also started a US based homeshool program in elementary school and lived in a few different countries. I also travel to surf and train most of the year, so I’m always in and out of Korea.

What’s your favorite Korean food?
I love dakkalbi, LA Kalbi, and Kimchi jjiggae.

What do people think your ethnic background is?
Outside of Korea, a lot of people think I’m Japanese.

Surfing

At what age did you start surfing?
I caught my first wave with my Dad when I was about 3 or 4 years old. But I paddled into my own wave when I was eight.

Did you do any other sports now or when you were younger?
I used to play soccer and skateboard a lot when I was younger.

How difficult has it been to balance life as a teenager and surfing competitively?
I’m currently in grade 11 but I haven’t lived the typical life of a Korean teenager. I travel a lot to surf. So, that can be a little difficult being away from home, my Mom, my sister, and our dog, Coco.

How supportive have your parents and family been towards your surfing career?
My parents and family have encouraged and supported me since Day 1. Without their sacrifices, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now.

Are/were your parents surfers?
My Dad introduced us to skateboarding, surfing, and other water sports. My Mom started to surf because of my Dad.

My Dad was actually the first person to introduce Stand-Up Paddling to South Korea.

Anyone else in your family who surf competitively?
No, just me.

What is your typical day like? How often do you train/surf?
My training schedule mostly depends on the availability of waves. So my timetable is always changing. But typically, I train 6 days a week.

My training includes weights, stretching, pilates, Wave Ki, skateboarding, and some running.

If there are waves, I will surf a couple of sessions a day. If there are no waves, I’ll work on my paddling technique and endurance, or go to Wave Park. Wave Park is a wave pool in South Korea and one of my main sponsors.

Who are some of your surfing influences and surfers you look up to?
When I was really young, I liked Kelly Slater. Then, I was really influenced by John John Florence.

These days, I take inspiration from Ethan Ewing, Taro Watanabe, Yago Dora, and my coach, Brad Gerlach.

How would you describe your surfing style?
I try to surf light and quick. I also try to surf smoothly and stylishly.

What do you enjoy most about surfing?
Everything! Surfing is fun! I wouldn’t be surfing if it wasn’t fun!

Do you feel that being mixed race has played any role in your surfing career so far?
Yes! Since my Dad grew up in Vancouver, Canada, he grew up watching surfing and playing sports like basketball, American football, and baseball. He also taught us how to dos and don’ts of communicating in North American culture.

So, we often do things differently than surfers in Korea.

When are your next surf competitions?
Right now, there are a few Korea competitions and a few international events. But the biggest one I’m preparing for is the 2026 Asian Games in Tahara, Japan.

How does it feel to be considered one of the best surfers in Korea at such a young age?
I don’t know. It’s good. But my parents told me not to focus on being the best in Korea. They encouraged me to keep working hard, keep trying to improve, and try to be one of the best in Asia.

Do you and your family plan to continue to live/train primarily in Korea for at least the foreseeable future?
For now, yes. We do have a house in Siargao, so I try to go back there every year to train and surf whenever I can.

Where is your favorite surfing location?
My favorite surf spot is Lagundri Bay in Nias, Indonesia.

Where do you hope to surf in the near future?
I’d really love to visit and surf in Nicaragua, the Mentawi Islands, and Tahiti.

What surfing goals have you set for yourself both short and long term?
My short-term goal is to win the Gold Medal at the 2026 Asian Games, join more World Surf League Qualifying Series (QS), and make the Challenger Series (CS).

My long-term goal is to become a Championship Tour surfer in the World Surf League (WSL) and represent South Korea.

How did you meet and become friends with Flip Cuddy?
My Dad was the one who first knew of Uncle Flip when he came to Korea and the Wave Park. They talked a lot on Instagram and video chat. We first met in 2023, during our layover in LA, after the International Surfing Association World Surfing Games in El Salvador.

Did the COVID pandemic affect your training, etc. at all? If so, in what ways?
Yes, it did. From March 2018 to April 2020, we lived in Siargao Island, Philippines. It was because of the pandemic that we decided to return to South Korea. Luckily, there were a lot of waves in 2020 in Korea. So I was able to surf quite a bit. The Wave Park also opened, so I was able to go there and surf.

What interests do you have outside of surfing?
I like taking photos.

Any final words to the mixed Korean community?
“WE ARE KOREAN.”

We thank Kanoa for his time and wish him continued success in his surfing career!

You can follow Kanoa via his official Instagram, on WSL (World Surf League) , and here is his planned surfing competition schedule for the remainder of 2025:

July 18–20, 2025
World Surf League Si-Heung Korea Open
Location: Wave Park, Si-Heung City, South Korea
Kanoa will compete in both the Men’s Shortboard and Men’s Longboard divisions.

November 2025 (TBC)
WSL QS6000 – Taiwan
Location: Taiwan

Interview by: David Lee Sanders

Posted: 6/30/2025

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