Founder Scott Hamrick

Scott Hamrick is an expert surfer, an experienced waterman, and a La Jolla native. By the age of fourteen he was admitted to the Wind and Sea Surf Club, one of the most prestigious surf clubs in the Untied States. Scott began competing professionally at that time, and ranked first in the YMCA Pro/Am Series in 1996 and 1997. In 1998 he went on to compete in the United States Surfing Federation, where he ranked fourth in the country. His professional career came to a halt after the birth of his daughter and a serious back injury; he decided to shift all of his energy and focus from competing professionally to sharing the gift of surfing with others through instruction. He is outstanding with children, and can get even the most timid up and surfing in no time. He is well known for doing tandem lessons with kids (see gallery page). When Scott isn't doing a surf lesson, he is either out on the ocean fishing, working at The Crab Catcher restaurant in the La Jolla Cove, or spending time with his family. Scott is deeply involved with the local community, and regularly donates lessons to charitable organizations such as Kids Korps USA and New Haven Youth and Family Services. He provides sliding scale prices to low-income households, and will waive all fees on rare occasions for passionate children with no access to funds. Scott is also a trained EMT (emergency medical technician), capable of handling any emergency situation.   

Our instructors and captains are seasoned locals who love what they do. Whether you’re a first-time surfer, a seasoned rider, or a curious angler, Hang Zen has the experience and energy to meet you where you are and take you further.

Owner Scott Hamrick is a La Jolla native, former pro surfer, and currently ranked #3 in the U.S. Pro Surf Tour (2024–2025 season). He joined WindanSea Surf Club at 14 and has decades of experience in and around the water. Known for his calm, encouraging style, Scott works with all ages and skill levels — from first-timers to competitive surfers — always with safety, stoke, and local knowledge at the core.