Please Help Kanoa Succeed in 2024 ❤️

Hello,

Kanoa Hee-Jae Palmiano is a soon-to-be 16 year old Korean-Filipino-Canadian surfer living in YangYang, South Korea.

Currently, he is South Korea's Top Junior, Top Mens shortboard surfer, and we recently discovered that he is also one of the nation's best longboarders.

He is currently ranked 2nd overall on the WSL Asia Longboard Qualifying Series.

His goal is to be on the South Korea Surf Team and participate at the 2026 Asian Games in Taichi, Japan and the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal. The ultimate goal is qualify for W.S.L. Challenger Series as a South Korea's 1st International professional surfer.

Surfing is a very expensive sport. In order to compete with the world's best surfers, he must travel to different countries to train and compete.

Kanoa has shown talent, dedication, and discipline in his commitment to improve.

Unfortunately, there is very little to no support in South Korea for surfing athletes. We are extremely grateful for his surfboard and wetsuit sponsorships via Orange Surf Co. and O'Neill Wetsuits Korea as well to those who have helped us along the way. "Thank you!"

Unfortunately product, although extremely important and helpful, doesn't pay for travel, so we humbly asking for assistance.

It's a very challenging situation especially being a single-income family. My wife, Yu-Jung, saves and pays for his travel, training and coaching. My parents, Aunty Sophia, and Kanoa's surf contest prize money also contribute to pay for international travel, international competitions, and general expenses.

Our current schedule includes a chance to compete and represent South Korea at the 2023 International Surfing Association (I.S.A.) World Surfing Games next month in El Salvador (May 30th to June 7th). It's an Olympic Qualifying event. Realistically, he's not good enough (yet) to qualify for Teahupo'o and the Paris Olympics 2024 but it will be a wonderful learning experience and opportunity for future Olympic Qualifiers.

Each National Team member is responsible for all their expenses for this event (flights, accommodation, registration fee, etc.).

After that, there are a number of World Surf League (W.S.L.) Asia Regional Men and Junior Pro events: Krui, Indonesia (June), Tamil Nadu, India (August), and Chiba; Chitose, Japan (July & October) are currently scheduled. We hope to join 2 to 3 of the Junior Pro events.

The reason that we must travel is due to the lack of waves, expertise, and proper coaching in South Korea. In order for Kanoa to compete against the best from Japan, Indonesia, the USA, Hawai'i, Australia and Brazil, Kanoa must travel abroad, to learn how to surf different waves, practice, compete, and train with and against those same athletes.

Since we live in South Korea, it is a daily challenge to surf regularly. I tell him we need to work three to four times as hard just to try and keep up, let alone catch up to others his age who live in strong surfing nations like the USA, Japan, and Australia.

We are hoping that through your kindness and support, Kanoa will be able to pursue his dreams of becoming one of Asia's best surfers or simply being the best surfer he can be.

In addition, he have a very short 4-5 year window to try and reach his surfing goals since we must also plan for South Korea's mandatory 18 month military service for males. Kanoa will be eligible to serve at 18 or 19 years old. Therefore, these next few years of surf development is paramount. We cannot miss out on the opportunities.

Thank you so much for you time and consideration. We are grateful and humbled.

Regards and Aloha.

Kanoa, Mel, Yu-Jung & Kalani