Ishmael Hamon aka "Ish"

Where did you grow up?
I was born in Cornwall 26th of May 1986. I lived there for about a year before moving to greycrapland, which I believe, is now called London. In London nothing much happened or if it did I was too young to remember. 5 or 6 years of my life went by before moving back to Kernow.

What was your inspiration to get into surfing?
Back in Kernow I vividly remember seeing surfers in the ocean. From then on I wanted to surf but it wasn't to be. My father was a cruel religious type (once walking from Berlin to Moscow with a giant cross) and wouldn't let me surf as he thought it was evil! When I was just 11 years old my parents got divorced. I was pleased as a dog that had found his bone I could surf! I surfed has much has I could every weekend and every day after school.

Are you sponsored and have you taken part in many competitions?
I picked up the skills very quickly and got recognized by 'Down the Line Surf Shop' that gave me a sponsor. The only problem was they wanted me to do contests. After a few years of trying contests and not doing very well (best result 3rd English nationals) I'd had enough. I said this to my sponsor "screw you man I only surf for one person and that's my self" at which they told my to "get lost " and hit me with a wet mackerel. With my pride intact although I did smell a bit like fish I set about doing some more surfing.

It sounds like you have a real passion for surfing, has it taken you anywhere around the world?
Surfing had become a complete addiction and in my last year at school my attendance was 46% this is because I was surfing. This would not have been possible if it wasn't for my fantastic mother. My mother was a hippie artist (still is) and would phone my nazi-ist school up and say I was ill and then take me surfing. Some how I got good enough grades to get me into Art College. In college I was awarded £30 a week just for being poor. I saved this money up and funded a trip to Portugal and Indonesia. In College I also got a national diploma in fine art. At the moment I am doing a water sports instructors course which means getting cold doing things I don't like. I hope to become a surf instructor and do a lot travelling and surfing. I am planning a trip back to Indonesia in April.