ISA STARS: Imani Wilmot

Nickname: Lei Lei

Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

Favorite Local Break: Copa Cabana

Favorite Surfers: Billy Wilmot, Dan Malloy, Melanie Bartels, Lisa Andersen

Hobbies, other than surfing: Swimming (both competition and leisure), dancing, singing, writing poetry

Surfing goals:  To become one of the most successful Jamaican female surfers the world will ever see, to be an inspiration to other young surfers and to help improve the surfing of others.

Favorite school subject: French

Name of your school: St. Andrew High School for Girls

Imani “Lei Lei” Wilmot was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on July 11th, 1990.  Daughter of one of the most important figures of Jamaican surfing, Billy Wilmot – it was his hope that the young surfer would grow into a world surfing star. 
The young Jamaican, besides knowing how to carry herself like a champion in the waves,  has a beautiful spirit that has allowed her to complete many of the principal goals that she set out for herself long ago.

At only 17 years old, she has become the most respected surfer in the Caribbean and the best of her country.  She has been part of the Jamaican surfing team on several occasions, has made it to the finals of various international events and, yet, has so much more to offer.  Her excellent academic achievements, combined with her surfing, has allowed her to be one of five surfers in the whole world to receive the ISA Individual Scholarship award, raising the bar for women’s surfing in Jamaica.  
  
Wise in her youth, Imani has declared to the ISA, "Surfing has had a great and positive impact in my life as it has taught me to be humble, helped me to find joy and pride in representing my country in places I never thought I would see, while being able to learn and better understand cultures and ways of life all over the world…
...Surfing has taught me an important lesson that I have applied to every aspect of my life:  ‘It is not about being the best, but doing your best’.  And although I might be on top sometimes, I still try to push myself and give my best in every task that I am handed and even though I may not come out on top, I have learned to try harder the next time and never give up." 

Imani received the ISA Individual Scholarship award, which has helped her to finish her secondary studies with excellent grades, buy herself better surfboards and travel a little.  Undoubtedly she will have a better surfing future. 

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