IAN KNOWLES

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? 

I split my time between Brooklyn, NY and York, ME.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION AT THE BIG ANDREW AND HOW DOES THE FOUNDATION INSPIRE YOU?  

I founded The Big Andrew in 2008, so my technical title is Founder/President but my practical title is "Chief of...Team Spirit!!" Or even better, Chief of "We" because nothing that makes a difference is done by "I"...does that make sense?

WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ASPIRATION IN LIFE?

Taking the foundation to where we know it can go is definitely up there on the top of the list. We all put our free time into making this organization run and the collective rewards that come out of it are something it would be hard to quantify even at a small scale, I could only imagine what it would be if it was even 4-5x larger. I also want to climb a few of the big Himalayan peaks, sail the ocean, become world a champ at something...I'll get there.

HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?

EVERY way as long as there is hot sauce and black pepper to go along.

MOST NOTABLE PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT?

1st overall in the 100 mile paddle from Kingston, NY to Manhattan...I was pretty stoked on that, trained hard for it. This foundation is something I am very proud of, too.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY WHEN NOT WORKING?

SURFING ALWAYS COMES FIRST, but I also love cooking, painting, skateboarding and classic cars.

HAVE ANY PETS?

Sure do! Cali, my lovely little pitbull...she's sort of my daughter.

BIGGEST PET PEEVE?

Aggressive chewing always seems to make my bones itch. 

FAVORITE COLOR?

A specific red, it's blend somewhere between currant and wine.

FAVORITE MOVIE/WHY?

I really like The Blues Brothers, that film gets me every time. I grew up watching it when I was way too young and it just never gets old. Jake...Elwood...THE BLUES BROTHERS!!! 

ANY CLOSING REMARKS?

Work Hard and Stay Humble, love y'all!!!