Du Pit Bike au Point Break avec l'ambassadeur Deus, Eddy Hamaty
Between surf, design, and the people around you—what sets the tone for a day well spent?
I'm a sucker for signs and superstition. So I think little things—like hitting a string of green lights on the road, a delicious morning brew, or a glorious sunrise—really set the tone for a day well spent. But honestly, getting in the ocean in the morning makes the biggest difference. Whether it’s a swim or a surf, the ocean will set you right, I tell ya!
When did surfing shift from just something you did to something that shaped your lifestyle?
Definitely when Dad and I finally moved to the coast during my mid-teens. Up until then, we were living in Western Sydney, so surfing was only really a weekend thing. Surfing is so obsessive and consuming—I remember always dreaming of living close to the beach, just so I could open the front door, run down, and paddle out. Once that dream became a reality, you couldn’t keep me out of the water. It's shaped my life, not just my lifestyle.
Honestly, the best way I can put it is: I still check the surf forecast before committing to any plans. I'm sure plenty of surfers can relate to that.
How has your personal style evolved over the years, and what’s stayed the same?
I’d hope it’s evolved into something palatable—haha! These days, my style is definitely more minimalist and conservative. In my late teens and early twenties, I was driving around in a lowered car with flashy wheels, wearing Nike Air Forces... I look back and cringe, to be honest.
Now, I really appreciate the "walk quietly, carry a big stick" kind of vibe. The people who inspire me most tend to have that kind of demeanor.
And on your surf style…
My style has evolved rapidly. I started surfing relatively late, and I blame the countless hours spent watching surf clips on YouTube for the evolution—it’s only natural to emulate what inspires you.
Since joining Deus as an ambassador in 2023, I’ve become more curious about alternative boards, especially twin fins, and that curiosity has shaped my style. These boards carry more speed than the performance shortboards I used to ride. I think they’ve settled me down—made my approach smoother and faster.
Dad doesn’t surf, but he always encouraged me to have expressive arms, and that’s stuck with me to this day.
Growing up in Sydney’s west, the ocean wasn’t exactly on your doorstep. What first pulled you toward the world of surfing?
My Dad. He worked really hard to expose me to a variety of sports as a kid—swimming, riding dirt bikes, driving go-karts, tennis, cricket—you name it. Surfing wasn’t even on the radar.
Then, in 2013, after our family went through some big changes, one of Dad’s friends offered him an old, sun-warped fiberglass surfboard. We headed to Maroubra one morning, and—as the cliché goes—I was hooked.
Surf culture has traditionally had a narrow lens. Do you feel like that’s changing? And where do you see yourself in that shift?
We still see shadows of that narrow lens, but yes—it’s definitely changing. There are more people surfing now than ever before, and that growth is inevitably going to influence the culture.
Surfing has long been male-dominated, but I heard a wild stat recently: the fastest-growing group in surfing is women over 50. So, yeah—it’s shifting.
As for me, I like to think I’m someone people can look at and say, "I guess you don’t have to grow up at the beach to be a surfer." And that’s 100% true.
Surfing is a sport and a lifestyle that changed my life. It has the power to do the same for so many others. Everyone should give it a go—no matter where you're from or how old you are.
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