Heiji Ise

Heiji Ise has, in recent years, become one of the peak attractions in Chiba, Japan. People have always come from all over the world to appreciate Chiba’s waves, but now people come to appreciate someone among those same waves.

The Ise family has been known as benefactors and friends in Chiba for generations, most recently notable for owning and running the quaint yet popular surf shop known as WIPE OUT!!. Makoto Ise, Heiji’s father, back in the day was the name on everybody’s lips with regards to the most famous and beautiful surfers around, but since his injury in his youth, he’s been running the shop, telling stories, and giving rudimentary surf lessons to anyone who’ll ask him. According to local newspapers and gossips, it surprised absolutely no one when his only son took after his passions.

From a young age, Heiji has been out in the waves. Despite having a surf instructor as a father and a life guard as a mother, however, at the age of seven, Heiji was caught in an undertow and dragged deep into the ocean while attempting to surf. He was rescued, of course, but the event lives in his memory as the day his life changed. He went, from all reports, from a reasonably precocious child with a deep love for splashing around in the sea to a driven child with a passion for surfing and the ocean.

Heiji once described the event as “the closest thing [he] ever got to really being one with the waves.” He devoted himself to the art and sport of surfing so he could feel that feeling once again, and his enthusiasm drew supporters.

As he got older, his very presence at surfing competitions would draw a larger crowd. He’s known as the Hunk of Chiba–which is certainly saying something considering the beach bunny demographic. On the waves, he’s known to be focused and driven, incapable of defeat. On the shore, he’s goofy and charming and prone to telling long, meandering stories.

After four consecutive Ichinomiya Chiba Open wins, Heiji was invited to Hope’s Peak Academy.