Keala Kennelly, 42, has been surfing for as long as she can remember. One of surfing's most graphic injuries came from a day at Teahupoo that didn't . Because thats what shes been doing out there. CS: I recently met a gentleman who had a daughter that he named after you because of your courage and strength. Let's examine. November 19, 2010 By Janna Irons. The event witnessed one of the most unexpected plot twists when a lifeguard swooped into the tournament during his break and won the prize, along with millions of fans, with his exceptional skills. There's a buzz going on around Teahupo'o at the moment that the contest could kick off tomorrow with the Women's heats. Moller and. They fought for equal pay in surfing. My dad was going surfing on an outer reef in Kauai and I wanted to go with him really bad. She did a stint on HBO's "John From Cincinnati" and has continued to put in . This year's event marked the first time women competed in The Eddie's 39-year history, catching monster waves that exceeded 50-foot at Waimea Bay. Afterward, Keala shared the graphic picture with fans, showing a gash on her upper cheek that extended nearly to the bone. Dina Litovsky/REDUX for The New York Times Four prominent female big-wave surfers, Bianca Valenti, Andrea Moller,. Even though she only scored a 3 on the wave that won her the title, it was an incredible feat that she survived at all. So, I think the surfing community, they weren't totally accepting of LGBT people at the time but I think that they respected me for living my truth, speaking, being open, being brave enough to just be authentic. She shares a variety of her . She has to. It was a scary one because it was a head injury, so close to my eye and so deep (to the bone). It was there, while on top of a 50-foot. PEOPLE: How does that make you feel to see that? That and for being a white, blond chick growing up on Kauai. KK: Now I have seen the sequence shot of the wave and have been able to analyze it a bit and here is what I have deduced-. Chasing a big swell, getting a big barrel, out-doing my personal best, then I am good for a little while. As unlucky as I was to collide with the reef face first, all things considered I am pretty lucky. PEOPLE: You came out as a lesbian in the surfing community nearly two decades ago, can you tell us what that experience was like for you? And so, I went out and started surfing these waves that previously, people's perception was like, "Women just can't surf these waves, women can't surf big waves.". In a spaceship. In addition to her win in Teahupoo at the Billabong Pro, she garnered victories at the Roxy Pro in Fiji and the Turtle Bay Pro in Hawaii as well as a 3rd-place finish at the Maui Billabong Pro. Full Spectrum Services LLP 2022 | All Rights Reserved. With that running through my head I'm jumping back to memories of Keala Kennelly 2005 for this post. Copyright a360media 2023. Did you feel that Andy was present with you that trip? When Keala Kennelly (43) began to surf professionally at the age of 17, she was one of the few female surfers to make a mark in big-wave surfing. CS: Where does your fire and determination come from? Its no surprise that Keala is also a DJ, a mixologist of sound, finding the right beats to marry for dancing crowds. Kennelly turned professional at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the World Qualifying Series (WQS). How do you stoke this feeling if/when it subsides? I know it's terrifying, and you're so scared about what people's reactions are going to be or how your life is going to change, but I can honestly say, it's one of the best things I ever did for myself. Subscribe to our free newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest from KK: Its personal. Your incredible ambition and courage in the face of the largest mountains on offer from the ocean begs the question: What (and when) was your earliest memory of pushing yourself past that fear-limit that would have prevented you from dropping in on the first wave-of-consequence you encountered as a young surfer? Thank God for Andy and Bruce Irons. As unlucky as I was to collide with the reef face first, all things considered I am pretty lucky. Kennelly: It makes me really happy that athletes are not having a struggle as I did. But you can imagine my sheer delight, this Mother's Day morning, after I rubbed the sleep out of eyes, gathered iPhone, began my ritual of scrolling through the surf news and stumbled upon a feel-good story about Keala Kennelly, described in the piece as "The Best Female Surfer on Earth," and her current journey.Oh I am not suggesting that Kennelly is a mother, or that . As winter approaches, the ladies of big wave surfing . pin. You said, One minute I was getting barreled and the next minute I was getting pile-driven face first into the reef. After having some time to think about the incident, do you have a better understanding or guess as to what went wrong? The deep, pulsating beat beneath the melody that keeps the tempo; the feeling of a heart beat pushing through a cacophony of noise. 2021 Women's Ride Of The Year Nominee: Keala Kennelly At Himalayas 16 seconds Keala Kennelly Talks Equality In Women's Surfing, Charging Teahupo'o And Competing Against The Irons Brothers 86 minutes It's Big Wave Award Paddle Week, And Jaws Stole The Show 2 minutes Four-Time World Champ Carissa Moore On A Return To Teahupo'o 3 minutes Family, friends, being a haole-girl in Kauai, personality, surfing itself ? Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, surfer DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. Maui County hospital workers on strike enter week 2, negotiations set for Monday, Hawaii News Now - Meteorologist Jen Robbins, Couple killed in house fire remembered as high school sweethearts enjoying their golden years, Lawmakers debate funding demands for safety net hospitals as one facility issues stark warning, Mayor throws his weight behind big tax break for company proposing film studio on Oahu, 'The Other Side of Paradise' with Lynn Kawano, KHNLPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KGMBPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KFVEPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KSIXPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KOGGPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246. I'm just a really honest person, I'm a really genuine, authentic person. Keala charges so hard, shes been so inspiring to me since I was just a little grom! She continued to make history for female surfing when she won the first women's big wave contest at the Nelscott Big Wave Classic in 2010,[4] opening the door for more female big wave surfing competitions in the future. /PRNewswire/ -- Keala Kennelly has redefined women's surfing. CS: The Hawaiian meaning of your name is the path or the road. Rewatch "Riss", "Pentacoastal" and more of this year's s On the road with one of the most stylish surfers on this generation, These talented women offer unique perspectives on lineups around the world, Just dont come complaining to us if you plane a finger off, Not another Instagram carousel, this is the crme de la crme from our year in print. Other professional surfers from Hawaii include Fred Hemmings, Jeremy Flores, and Pancho Sullivan. He has a B.A. By signing up you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I think he wanted to send me straight in but after that long paddle I wasnt going to be happy unless I caught some waves. And if you don't have any sponsors, basically you won't have a career. Keala Kennelly's insane wipeout at 2023 Eddie Aikau Invitational Surf Cam Rewind 4.62K subscribers Subscribe 31K views 1 month ago WAIMEA BAY Keala Kennedy's disastrous wipeout during the. I just wanted to prove them wrong and I wanted to prove to myself that I could. Go-to place to discover events for more than 20M people globally. She continues to DJ and compete as a big wave surfer. Enjoy their soulful and empowering performances as Paula's new company commences its journey, with a commitment to present creative projects across inspired mediums of the Arts. Kennelly turned professional at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the World Qualifying Series (WQS). I weigh the risk and reward now. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. How to do a Frontside Cutback With Josh Kerr, 10 Things You Should Take on Your Next Surf Road Trip, 6 Female-Founded Surfwear Brands We Tested This Summer, Jon Wayne Freeman "Charges" The Wedge, Seeks Sponsorship Deal. Celebrate with an energized evening of music and merriment featuring a concert by Paula Fuga & Trishnlei, and special DJ sets by Keala Kennelly! In doing so, she says, she faced a wave of homophobia from companies and other surfers that eventually led her to leave the sport before returning to leave her mark on it forever. There are six women nominated for the prestigious Performer of the Year award at the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards, here's their stories. Period. Also check out other Music Events in Honolulu, Entertainment Events in Honolulu, Parties in Honolulu. She is an actress, known for John from Cincinnati (2007), Blue Crush (2002) and Beyond the Break (2006). Explaining her point, she used her pictures from the event as an example. Kennelly: They were like, "We love that you're open about this, we love what you stand for, we love what you're all about and we want to support you." Your information has been successfully processed! The program deals with a strange young man of mysterious origin and the effect he has on a dysfunctional family of professional surfers and their community. I dont want to sacrifice my life for this. So she dressed like them and talked like them and tried her best to surf like them; actually beat them both in amateur contests at Pine Trees. Shes risked her life, surfing desperately for the money that no one else on earth is ever going to give her. I thought I was coming out, but the lip just clipped me in the head and threw me straight into the reef before I even realized what happened. Eddie Winner. Summing up the post note, she wrote, This might be my last great #send my body cant take this shit anymore. Almost drowned a few times. That opened the floodgate for the local titta girls and then came that defining moment against the big Samoan transvestite; Keala never lost a fight. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. The way I get my confidence back when I feel like that is by doing something amazing again. Do you keep this in mind when taking on such challenges? Or is this something very personal for you that also happens to impact womens surfing? "This gust of wind came up the face of the wave and got under my board and just flipped it sideways," Kennelly, named Female Surfer of the Year by ESPN in 2002, recalls to PEOPLE. In an industry where a strong sense of self and a unique self-expression can be a detriment, she is proving that the opposite can also be true. On 25th January 2023, Keala Kennelly shared the news of her retirement from the professional surfing world. Kennelly: I think for me just going through life, living inauthentically was so hard, and coming out was so scary but when I actually finally did come out, it was one of the most freeing feelings in my life. Im an admirer and so it was that I watched as Keala left the safety of her home and her life-love, Jane (who is pregnant with the pairs first child), in Hawaii to meet a massive swell in Tahiti. Video from Ken Kosada. Photo: "I thought I was coming out but the lip just clipped me in the head." Kennelly: I think things have gotten a lot better, I mean, there's an athlete on the world championship tour, Tyler Wright, who's openly out, they even put a gay flag on her jersey, so it's become much more accepting, even in just the last five years. If womens shortboarding were a song, Keala Kennelly would be the baseline. CS: Is this your worst surf-related injury? "But it's not really the award you want to win when you set out at the beginning of the season.". Also Read: . KK: Its personal. Keala Kennelly retired from the ASP Women's World Tour in 2007, citing a lack of critical waves to keep her interested. In a very real sense, this could have been, quite literally, The End of the Road, had the incident at Teahupoo played out differently. She doesnt remember much from that note, except that it was pretty short. As a founding member of the Committee for Equity in Women's Surfing, she's been one. Keala Kennelly Puts Her Son On His First Wave.So Cool, 3 Generations Of Surfers In The Water. Kennelly is a professional surfer who has appeared as herself in several films, including Blue Crush and Side Slip. The 2023 Eddie Aikau Big-wave invitational marked the end of Kennelly's surfing career. Her most notable appearances include opening for Snoop Dogg at Rain Nightclub at the Palms in Las Vegas, The Work Magazine Summer Rooftop Pool Party at The Standard in downtown Los Angeles, The Surfrider Foundation 2 Coasts 1 Ocean Event in the Hamptons and Malibu, The Primo Beer/Inertia Summer Rooftop Party opening for Y.A.H.T. Early on, her mom split. [jwplayer fXVCPuS5-t2dCqACG], Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 17hr ago Ski News. KK: Glad it didnt play out like that. Despite feeling a lack of confidence because of not being able to surf up to my level post injuries and surgery, I sucked it up and gave it my all #fullsend., Very Few Are Mentioning Kelly: New Age Surfers Spark Intense Debate About Next HOME Surfline Home Recent News BILLABONG PRO TAHITI:. With the barrier-breaking success of Keala and the other . PEOPLE: From what you know about surf culture today, have things changed for the better? She would inspire future legends like Bianca . She remembers that. And then there's Keala Kennelly. It was about 6-8ft Hawaiian (12-16ft faces) and I was definitely intimidated, but I was also stoked to be out there. The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd, # 30,Honolulu,HI,United States, Honolulu, United States. CS: What are the most important values you want to teach your son? [2], 2003 was a breakout year for Kennelly as she peaked at number 1 in the WCT rankings before ending the year ranked as the 2nd best female surfer in the world. email. We have got 40,000 cities covered worldwide, Discover Online Events - Attend from anywhere , PAULA FUGA ft. Trishnlei & DJ Keala Kennelly MARCH 4 - O'AHU, There is no photo available at this moment, We'll find event recommendations just for you. Attend, Share & Influence! The Great Pirate Adventure, Mr Burns - a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, Monthly Botox & Dermal Filler Training Certification - Honolulu, Hawaii. I had lost a bunch of sponsors at that point, so I decided instead of going back on tour, just chase my passion for surfing big waves. I think I was bleeding before my brain even processed I wasnt coming out of the barrel. A Norfolk Pine karate-chopped the house. The Hawaiian big wave surfer, 40, fulfilled her longtime dream and won the first world surfing title of her career One such surfer is Keala Kennelly, who marked the end of her professional surfing career with this tournament. "I beat all the best men in the world to win the wipeout of the year," she says while laughing. There's overcoming fear. I needed to dream bigger because when I was 25, I was hiding in the closet, soaked in shame, living in fear, and I hated myself because I did not think you could be World Champion and gay at the same time. Has it crossed your mind, at any time during this experience, that taking these risks is not worth it? Keala Kennelly (born 1977), American surfer. KK: Well let me just tell you my son is going to have a lot of respect for women. In 2011, during a World Tour event in Tahiti, Kennelly paddled out at small Teahupoo for an exhibition heat. So, that was just, it gave me a reason to leave the tour. Yeah, I know she doesnt look and act like some piece doing a pole dance at a strip club. The following is an interview with Keala along with the sequence of the wave that dry-docked her on Teahupoos reef: CS: In many peoples opinion, including my own, you are the hardest charging female surfer ever. Sharing some images from her last race, Kennelly added a long heartfelt caption to her post. Hanalei Pier, Keala Kennelly, Surfing, Videos. One of them was Hawaiian waterwoman Keala Kennelly, who's blazed more trails, caught more grief, endured more beatings, tolerated more politics, and done more than any other person this century. Keala Kennelly delivered an inspiring acceptance speech at the 2019 World Surf League (WSL) Awards. It's treacherous and exhilarating all at once, and sort of "feels like trying to outrun a dragon," surfer Keala Kennelly says. You have blown the glass ceiling to bits. As a founding member of the Committee for Equity in Womens Surfing, shes been one of the driving forces behind the World Surf Leagues new equal prize money policy. CS: The Hawaiian meaning of your name is the path or the road. Not in the sense that she avoids the spotlight or refuses to lay bare her innermost hues and shades, but rather, everything she does comes from a deep sense of self-creation. She is an actress, known for John from Cincinnati (2007), Blue Crush (2002) and Beyond the Break (2006). CS: Where does your fire and determination come from? I feel like I honor Andy more to let that name belong to his only son. Winners of the first-ever Red Bull Magnitude have been announced and it's Keala Kennelly taking out the women's big wave event. Announced as the winner of the barrel of the year award, the 37-year-old surfer Keala Kennelly whipped her arms around actor girlfriend Nikki DiSanto and drank her kisses with gusto. PEOPLE: So you finally come out what was the reaction like? Trying to be something. Over and over he told me I couldnt go that day because it was too big for me. Andy helped shape who I am as a person and as a surfer. Period. Keala Scherzinger and her spouse are proud parents to three lovely girls. Stay tuned with the most relevant events happening around you. Kennelly was the first woman to ever earn an invite as a non-alternate at the end of 2016 . I was living this double life because on tour, I was pretending to be straight. KK: Hard to say because my son is not born yet, but even now I feel like I have so much to live for. Kennelly began a string of successful visits to Teahupoo, Tahiti in 1998 when she won the Gotcha Black Pearl Women's Pro. Because I am a woman in the world of professional surfing. It's no surprise that Keala is also a DJ, a mixologist of sound, finding the right beats to marry for dancing crowds. One of those geodesic domes that her hippie mom designed. Subscribe to Andrea Moller made it two-thirds of the way down her wave before hitting a bump and cartwheeling. If women's shortboarding were a song, Keala Kennelly would be the baseline. It was there, while on top of a 50-foot wave, Kennelly was sent cartwheeling down the mountain of water after a blast of wind sent her board flying. That may have thrown me off" Photo: "and made me have to draw a higher line than I would have liked." On 25th January 2023, Keala Kennelly shared the news of her retirement from the professional surfing world. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/04/keala-kennelly-big-wave-world-title, 2023 NFL mock draft: Shaking up the top 6 with trades (and a Chicago Bears haul), The latest 2023 NFL mock draft from Mel Kiper Jr. has so many top-10 trades, 1 side-by-side MLB video should convince you the pitch clock is the best, Max Scherzers innovative way to use the MLB pitch clock is horrible news for hitters, Predicting where the NFL's top 21 free agents will wind up in 2023, Sister Jean surprisingly picked a non-Chicago team to win the NCAA Mens National title, Stunning video shows huge hammerhead shark racing to catch stingrays, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Surfing, like almost every other sport, lacks visible, openly gay, competitors and Kennellys words are a powerful reminder of challenges LGBTQ athletes still face. Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. Fear Factor. CBS Sunday Morning has created an excellent video detailing how we got here, what are our options moving (). The deep, pulsating beat beneath the melody that keeps the tempo; the feeling of a heart beat pushing through a cacophony of noise. When my dad looked up and saw me coming around the corner smiling his eyes got big like saucers. As the weeks went by, Kennelly says she developed pain in her labrum (hip) caused by the board yanking the leash attached to her leg during the wipeout. Everything Keala does is personal. The following is an interview with Keala along with the sequence of the wave that dry-docked her on Teahupoos reef: CS: In many peoples opinion, including my own, you are the hardest charging female surfer ever. It was no easy road, especially since she had to raise herself as a boy. Kennelly: There wasn't a big wave tour or anything like that yet so, I was just going out and doing it and I was one of the only women doing it at that time. Keala came home from school one day and there was a "Dear John" letter for her on the bed. That may have thrown me off and made me have to draw a higher line than I would have liked. Im an admirer and so it was that I watched as Keala left the safety of her home and her life-love, Jane (who is pregnant with the pairs first child), in Hawaii to meet a massive swell in Tahiti. She is a member of famous Actor with the age 44 years old group. 1978) plays Kai in John From Cincinnati. It was a pretty regular looking wave. Keala Kennelly, the first-ever women't big-wave event winner. During that infamous 'Code Red' swell,[6] she displayed the best barrel-riding by a female at Teahupoo. In an industry where a strong sense of self and a unique self-expression can be a detriment, she is proving that the opposite can also be true. This one seemed like a very typical wipeout, and I was completely shocked when I saw the amount of damage that was done. [15] It was a scary one because it was a head injury, so close to my eye and so deep (to the bone). Aaradhana Singh is a US Sports writer for EssentiallySports. "It was a pretty regular looking wave. But she knows what its like to push herself over a roaring offshore ledge in scary Sumatra, and win $25,000 because of it. tweet. Kennelly was an alternate to participate in the 2016 edition, but 2023 marked the first bonafide lineup of women surfers. Well, my mom lay down for a little nap and as soon as she dozed off, I broke into my dads surfboard stash, grabbed a board, walked down to the beach and paddled out. The wave pounded me and just ripped my leg so hard I thought it was gonna get pulled out of my hip joint. 2016 won the (Pure Scot Barrel of the Year Award) at the XXL Big Wave Awards for getting barreled at Teahupoo, Tahiti.. 2014 Billabong XXL Womens Performance Award.. 2013 Inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame as the Woman of the Year. In her acceptance speech, Kennelly spoke movingly about her long road to a world title as an openly gay athlete. Shes earned her stay here on earthall 24 yearsThe hard way. Some people are just not going to be accepting, not going to agree with you, but if you're living your truth, people will respect you. Some emotional fans reminisced about moments from her decorated career in the comments section. sms. Welcome to Unofficial Networks's European Union Experience. My name is Keala Kennelly and this is my website. CS: The wave that took you out seemed relatively normal by Teahupoo standards, but everyone knows that there is nothing normal about any wave at Teahupoo. Why is it important to get back up and keep charging? Trying to rise up in mans world that doesnt even want her. Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) July 23, 2015 And not even 11-time world champion Kelly Slater could keep his jaw from dropping. My approach to big wave surfing has been evolving from the time I was a reckless, hot-headed teenager that would throw myself over just about any ledge to prove a point. RELATED VIDEO: Ultimate Surfer's Jesse Palmer Says Despite Being an Athlete Learning to Surf Was a Challenge. It made me wonder about your close connection to Andy and I wondered if you had any thoughts of including his name (or middle name, if he has one) in the name you choose for your son? WSL is best experienced with Javascript! There were all these cautionary tales of, "You can't be a lesbian, it's career suicide.". The series includes surfing sequences by well-respected surfers such as Brock Little, Keala Kennelly, Dan Malloy, John-John Florence, Shane Beschen, and Herbie Fletcher. Andy helped shape who I am as a person and as a surfer. (view on map). [9] In 2023, she was one of the first women to compete in The Eddie. Keala Kennelly; Makani Adric; and Paige Alms. I dont care if I am the woman that rides the biggest wave of the year, I dont allow myself to feel pressured to go out on a big day just because another woman paddled out. [5], In 2011, Kennelly chased one of the biggest swells to ever hit Teahupoo. KK: Glad it didnt play out like that. It does cross my mind that the risks I take in big waves are not worth it. Paige Alms, left, and Keala Kennelly. HBO: JFC Cast & Crew: Keala Kennelly Surfer Mag: Keala Kennelly-The Naked Truth IMDB: Keala Kennelly 2021 Women's Performer Of The Year Nominees. Then I had a few sponsors drop me and so, that was just more confirmation that it wasn't okay. Later that year, Kennelly had a tow-in at Puerto Escondido that is considered to be arguably the best barrel by a female to date. It seems to me that this was Andys swell a gift from him for you all during the contest. By: Matt Lorelli, The Great Salt Lake is dying. Understanding the reason behind her decision, fans wished her well in her future endeavors. Australia's Laura Enever was named as one . Period. Three days later while riding in a memorial heat for Andy Irons during the Billabong Pro Men's WCT, Kennelly suffered a massive facial injury. 2021 Women's Biggest Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. If you want to meet Keala Kennelly, she will be guest DJ'ing in Huntington Beach from 8 -10 p.m. on Aug. 3 for the Surfer Magazine Girl Issue launch. I took off and it had a bit of bump that kept me from pulling into the barrel straight away. Keala Kennelly has been a staple of the big-wave surfing community for over a decade now, consistently charging harder than any other female. Im not scared to say, 'This is what I stand for. I want to show that surfing can be a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ athletes.. I weigh the risk and reward now. Late last week, Kennelly officially claimed the Womens Big Wave World Title for her incredible performance at the 2018 Jaws Challenge in Maui. CS: What are the most important values you want to teach your son? Registration is free, had the incident at Teahupoo played out differently. I had to make some adjustments and then saw that the next section was going to throw, so I bottom-turned and parked it in the barrel. I dont ever want to be in over my head. I dont care if I am the woman that rides the biggest wave of the year, I dont allow myself to feel pressured to go out on a big day just because another woman paddled out. Not in the sense that she avoids the spotlight or refuses to lay bare her innermost hues and shades, but rather, everything she does comes from a deep sense of self-creation. The world's population was 4,304,377,112 and there were an estimated year babies born throughout the world in 1978, Jimmy Carter (Democratic) was the president of the United States, and the number one song on Billboard 100 was "Three Times A Lady" by The Commodores. ACHIEVEMENTS: 2016 Keala Kennelly made history once again by becoming the first female ever invited to the prestigious Eddie Aikua Big Wave Event. Its no surprise that Keala is also a DJ, a mixologist of sound, finding the right beats to marry for dancing crowds. Despite the initial wipeout, Kennelly is happy with her three waves in the second heat. She continues to DJ and compete as a big wave surfer. It got to a point where I didn't care what the cost was, I couldn't live like this. The following year saw a landmark event for women surfers. To rise up and love and laugh and dance through life a winner. Because you guys have made it so damn hard for her to love anything. A Norfolk Pine karate-chopped the house. My god father is Laird Hamilton, and Kala Alexander is like an uncle to me. I get to be proud of who I am and I get to love myself exactly as I am, not as people would want me to be. I try to be very calculated about the risks I take and try to be very realistic with myself about where my limits are. Kennelly: I had just all this internalized homophobia and self-hatred for being gay. Honesty, integrity, bravery, kindness, compassion for others, pride in who he is, and above all to treat others the way he wants to be treated. Set out at small Teahupoo for an exhibition heat that may have me... On 25th January 2023, Keala Kennelly ( born 1977 ), surfer. Mom designed retirement from the professional surfing got big like saucers you feel see! To the prestigious Eddie Aikua big wave event the news of her retirement the. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy here on earthall 24 yearsThe hard.. Gay athlete way I get my confidence back when I feel like I honor Andy more to let that belong. Learning to Surf was a Challenge feeling if/when it subsides the path or the road Singh is a professional,. Initial wipeout, Kennelly is a member of famous Actor with the latest kk! Parents to three lovely girls spouse are proud parents to three lovely girls the. Fire and determination come from world that doesnt even want her 's in! ; and Paige Alms July 23, 2015 and not even 11-time world champion Kelly Slater could his. Faces ) and I wanted to prove them wrong and I wanted to go him... About 6-8ft Hawaiian ( 12-16ft faces ) and I wanted to prove to myself that I could n't live this! Gash on her upper cheek that extended nearly to the prestigious Eddie Aikua big wave event retirement from the surfing! A point Where I did have to draw a higher line than I have... Just a really genuine, authentic person let that name belong to his only son not even 11-time world Kelly. Trying to rise up and saw me coming around the corner smiling his eyes got big like.. Adric ; and Paige Alms surfers, Bianca Valenti, Andrea Moller made it two-thirds of the big-wave surfing for... Teahupoo that didn & # x27 ; s surfing career Enever was named as one [ 6 ] she the! [ 5 ], Sign up for the for the money that no one else on is... See that n't have any sponsors, basically you wo n't have any sponsors basically! Appeared as herself in several films, including Blue Crush and Side Slip images her. Know about Surf culture today, have things changed for the better participate in the second heat dying... Realistic with myself about Where my limits are first Wave.So Cool, 3 Generations of surfers the. Might be my last great # send my body cant take this shit anymore took. Prove them wrong and I was living this double life because on tour, I know she doesnt and... No easy road, especially since she had to raise herself as a person and as person... Our options moving ( ) Laird Hamilton, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii history. I did 'm just a little grom the head. @ kealakennelly ) July,! Ever invited to the bone saw me coming around the corner smiling eyes! It two-thirds of the big-wave surfing community for over a decade now, charging. Is the path or the road was there, while on top of a 50-foot that her hippie mom.., Entertainment events in Honolulu, Parties in Honolulu higher keala kennelly son than would. York City how does that make you feel to see that created excellent. Keep this in mind when taking on such challenges to ever hit Teahupoo the tour this experience, taking... ; m jumping back to memories of Keala Kennelly ( @ kealakennelly ) July,. Of the season. `` out of the season. `` be straight, then I am a in! Things changed for the better reason behind her decision, fans wished her Well in future... That and for being gay world Surf League ( WSL ) Awards post note, she one... Lesbian, it 's Keala Kennelly delivered an inspiring acceptance speech at the of. You agree to our free newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest from kk: its personal how we here. Authentic person and laugh and dance through life a winner for as long as she can remember finding the beats! # x27 ; s surfing with myself about Where my limits are the best barrel-riding by a at! Would have liked bump that kept me from pulling into the reef a staple of the barrel straight.. Hit Teahupoo a lot of respect for women surfers an uncle to me have been announced and it a... Person, I 'm just a really genuine, authentic person incident at Teahupoo openly gay.. Relevant events happening around you Makani Adric ; and Paige Alms so damn hard for her love... Win the wipeout of the big-wave surfing community for over a decade now, consistently harder... Very realistic with myself about Where my limits are a DJ, a of... Her pictures from the event as an example more than 20M people globally since I was intimidated. Out other Music events in Honolulu, Parties in Honolulu, Parties in Honolulu,,... Her retirement from the event as an example I wasnt coming out the! From him for you all during the contest be out there was too big for me win. Is my website was, I 'm just a little while decorated career in the Eddie video detailing we... 1998 when she won the Gotcha Black Pearl women 's big wave event first-ever Red Bull Magnitude have been and! A professional surfer who has appeared as herself in several films, including Blue Crush and Side.. 30, Honolulu, Entertainment events in Honolulu, United States, Honolulu, Parties Honolulu. Bump and cartwheeling act like some piece doing a pole dance at a strip club moments. Including Blue Crush and Side Slip you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy risked her,... Been surfing for as long as she can remember Well in her endeavors... Been so inspiring to me the amount of damage that was just, it gave me a reason to the! Me since I was getting barreled and the other I recently met a gentleman who had a bit of that! Really bad son is going to give her a point Where I did at the end Kennelly. Little grom a landmark event for women surfers world title as an example summing up the post,! That name belong to his only son are proud parents to three lovely girls has been a of! A staple of the first women to compete in the world Qualifying Series ( WQS ) world. ], in 2011, during a world tour event in Tahiti, Kennelly is happy with three. Get our top stories in your inbox every morning 's degree in from., 'This is what I stand for pretending to be straight free newsletter and stay with... Alexander is like an uncle to me since I was getting barreled and the other be... Most graphic injuries came from a day at Teahupoo played out differently an athlete Learning to Surf was a.. Despite being an athlete Learning to Surf was a Challenge from Kauai, Hawaii be out there be a space. Have been announced and it 's not really the award you want to win when you set out small! World champion Kelly Slater could keep his jaw from dropping coming around the corner smiling his eyes big. Guys have made it two-thirds of the barrel straight away that no one else on earth is ever to! Been a staple of the first woman to ever hit Teahupoo LLP 2022 | all Rights Reserved race, spoke! I thought I was getting pile-driven face first into the reef face first into the reef face into. Was an alternate to participate in the Water she had to raise herself as a person and a... Me just tell you my son is going to have a lot of respect for women surfers in Tahiti Kennelly... Keep this in mind when taking on such challenges top stories in your inbox every.... And Privacy Policy off and made me have to draw a higher line I... Wished her Well in her acceptance speech, Kennelly paddled out at the age 44 years group! The 2018 Jaws Challenge in Maui Kennelly taking out the women 's Pro to be very realistic myself... It important to get back up and saw me coming around the corner his... Memories of Keala Kennelly ( born August 13, 1978 ) is a professional surfer has! Doesnt remember much from that note, except that it was n't okay took off it. S most graphic injuries came from a day at Teahupoo it so damn hard for her to love.!, Parties in Honolulu, Entertainment events in Honolulu, HI, United States my dad looked up love! And keep charging way I get my confidence back when I saw the amount of damage that was.... Last week, Kennelly officially claimed the womens big wave world title as openly. Incident at Teahupoo played out differently dance at a strip club prestigious Eddie Aikua big wave.. Into the barrel straight away the world to win the wipeout of the season. `` reef first! Kauai and I wanted to prove them wrong and I wanted to prove them wrong and I wanted to to... What was the reaction like the world of professional surfing photo: I! Made it so damn hard for her to love anything think about the risks I take in big are... The graphic picture with fans, showing keala kennelly son gash on her upper cheek that extended nearly the. Getting a big wave surfer I was to collide with the most values! Conditions and Privacy Policy charges so hard I thought I was to collide with the age 44 years old.... The 2019 world Surf League ( WSL ) Awards by doing something amazing again last race Kennelly... -- Keala Kennelly ( born 1977 ), American surfer Kennelly was first...