PEOPLE: Considering your experiences, do you have advice or any words of encouragement for anyone who might be nervous about coming out? Even though hes gone I am still trying to impress him and make him proud of me maybe even more so. To rise up and love and laugh and dance through life a winner. Surfer Caroline Marks Says the Sport Is 'Forever Exciting': 'So Many Things' Are 'Out of Your Control', Carissa Moore Reflects on 'Incredible Journey' to Gold at Tokyo Olympics and Dance Party with Husband, Ellen DeGeneres' Iconic 'Coming-Out' Episode Aired 25 Years Ago Today: Why It Was So Groundbreaking, After Serving in 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Era, Air Force Under Secretary Gina Ortiz Jones Comes Full Circle, Chris Lane and Lauren Bushnell Lane Expecting Second Baby: 'Two Under 2! Shes ridden deep at Pipeline, just like youbetter than you. 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. If women's shortboarding were a song, Keala Kennelly would be the baseline. Kennelly is a professional surfer who has appeared as herself in several films, including Blue Crush and Side Slip. If womens shortboarding were a song, Keala Kennelly would be the baseline. Did you feel that Andy was present with you that trip? 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. She continues to DJ and compete as a big wave surfer. The fact that womens surfing gets to benefit from me trying to feed my passion is a really nice bonus and I am more than happy to help. The annual WSL Awards celebrate the accomplishments of the past season and recognize the greatest feats of the year in pro surfing. KK: Its personal. 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. 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. When it was over though, I felt good and triumphant and my dad and I paddled back to the beach high-fiving and laughing. This one seemed like a very typical wipeout, and I was completely shocked when I saw the amount of damage that was done. Almost drowned a few times. There's overcoming fear. I dont want to sacrifice my life for this. They set the standard and I was just trying to keep up. When my dad looked up and saw me coming around the corner smiling his eyes got big like saucers. Keala came home from school one day and there was a "Dear John" letter for her on the bed. Its no surprise that Keala is also a DJ, a mixologist of sound, finding the right beats to marry for dancing crowds. Especially herself. One such surfer is Keala Kennelly, who marked the end of her professional surfing career with this tournament. Instagram. Celebrate with an energized evening of music and merriment featuring a concert by Paula Fuga & Trishnlei, and special DJ sets by Keala Kennelly! Registration is free, had the incident at Teahupoo played out differently. As tempted as I might be to honor Andy by including his name when I name my son I feel like that name belongs to Andys son and Andys son alone. A Norfolk Pine karate-chopped the house. Kennelly turned professional at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the World Qualifying Series (WQS). KK: This could be the worst wipeout of my life but it didnt feel that way when it was happening. He was gonna have to start over, so Keala's mom, free spirit that she called herself, up and split. Kennelly has always been an advocate of pushing ones limit, especially for women. Andrea Moller of Brazil became the first woman to catch a wave at the Eddie, six years after Keala Kennelly became the first female invitee as an alternate in the 2016-17 season. It seems to me that this was Andys swell a gift from him for you all during the contest. I am an only girl with two brothers, a total daddys girl. THIS IS MY OFFICIAL FB PAGE RUN BY ME :) For bookings and inquires. ACHIEVEMENTS: 2016 Keala Kennelly made history once again by becoming the first female ever invited to the prestigious Eddie Aikua Big Wave Event. Period. Its day seven for hospital workers on strike on Maui and Lanai. Attend, Share & Influence! Despite the initial wipeout, Kennelly is happy with her three waves in the second heat. Keala Kennelly Professional Surfer. It's treacherous and exhilarating all at once, and sort of "feels like trying to outrun a dragon," surfer Keala Kennelly says. She wore surf trunks and t-shirts and stayed a boy and stayed on the honor roll at school, enduring the hell that was Kapaa High School on the East Side. Because I am a woman in the world of professional surfing. ", "2014 XXL Big Wave Awards: Results and Rebuttals", "2016 Pure Scot Barrel Award Winner: Keala Kennelly", "Keala Kennelly the first woman to win open category at the Big Wave Awards", "2016 ESPY Awards: Best Action Sports Athletes nominees", "I'm Keala Kennelly and I'm a Surfer: Keala Kennelly at TEDxMalibu", "Gay surfer talks about the new surfing doc film, 'Out in the Line-Up', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keala_Kennelly&oldid=1135736581, Two-time winner of Billabong Pro in Teahupoo; 2003 ASP Women's WCT Runner Up; 2003 Triple Crown Winner; Two-time winner of Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award; 2013 Inductee, Surfing Walk of Fame and Actions Sports Hall of Fame, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 15:10. Photo: "I thought I was coming out but the lip just clipped me in the head." 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? The crash was so severe that it earned Kennelly the Red Bull Big Wave Wipe Out of the Year award. Keala Kennelly has been a staple of the big-wave surfing community for over a decade now, consistently charging harder than any other female. Let's examine. 2021 Women's Performer Of The Year Nominees. He's worked at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter since 2017 and has interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. "Big wave" is a sub-category of surfing where riders tackle monstrous waves measuring at least 20 feet high. I think in life in general when you get knocked down its important to dust yourself off and try again in order to get your confidence back. 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. shares. Other professional surfers from Hawaii include Fred Hemmings, Jeremy Flores, and Pancho Sullivan. I have taken much heavier wipeouts that have torn ligaments and kept me out of the water for months. The deep, pulsating beat beneath the melody that keeps the tempo; the feeling of a heart beat pushing through a. Jack is first name and Mandanka is last name. Key Life Moments and Career Achievements Keala Kennelly was born on August 13, 1978, in Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii. Keala Kennelly delivered an inspiring acceptance speech at the 2019 World Surf League (WSL) Awards. On December 3, 2013, at TEDx Malibu, Keala gave a presentation on desire and surfing: "I'm Keala Kennelly and I'm a surfer. Keala Kennelly Keala Kennelly Search for: Surfing DJing Acting Bio Contact Copyright Keala Kennelly Theme By SiteOrigin She is a member of famous Actor with the age 44 years old group. It was there, while on top of a 50-foot. Moller paddled into a breaking swell during the first set to become the. Video from Ken Kosada. And doing so has helped shape the path of her life. Keala Kennelly spills the beans on her role in HBO's <i>John from Cincinnati</i> Registeredor Premium Member? That may have thrown me off and made me have to draw a higher line than I would have liked. CBS Sunday Morning has created an excellent video detailing how we got here, what are our options moving (). Sharing some images from her last race, Kennelly added a long heartfelt caption to her post. [12] She was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, California as 2013's Woman of the Year. Because thats what shes been doing out there. New Chairlift At Quebec . I was living this double life because on tour, I was pretending to be straight. So she toughed it out. Her aggressive approach to catching waves was inspired by her upbringing, surfing with legends like Andy and Bruce Irons and Laird Hamilton in Kauai. Big Wave Award paddle week, Keala Kennelly breaks down her Wipeout of the Year, and Sky Brown heroically back on a surfboard. Keala skated over death on the largest day, but Teahupoo exacted its payment nevertheless, branding the right side of her face with its teeth during the tribute heat for Andy Irons, before the Teahupoo Pro 2011 final. When Andy was alive, I was always trying to impress him with my surfing and make him proud of me. When Andy was alive, I was always trying to impress him with my surfing and make him proud of me. Photo: Joli. I took off and it kind of had a bit of bump that kept me from pulling into the barrel straight away." KK: Its personal. Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication, Aaradhana has previously worked as Shes won contests at Teahupoo. [9] In 2023, she was one of the first women to compete in The Eddie. All alone. Thats why she knows what its like to win against impossible odds. 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? Join PAULA FUGA for an exciting show on O'ahu launching her new creative company, Mana Whine Productions, on SATURDAY, MARCH 4, at THE REPUBLIK! If it looks dangerous to me and I am not feeling it I dont go. Keala Kennelly, winner of the inaugural Red Bull Magnitude Women's Big-Wave Contest, took off at a North Shore outer reef during this winter's competition. Your information has been successfully processed! [13], In 2016, she won the Pure Scot Barrel of the Year Award at the XXL Big Wave Awards for getting barreled at Teahupoo, Tahiti. Sat Mar 04 2023 at 08:00 pm to 11:30 pm, The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd, # 30,Honolulu,HI,United States, Honolulu, United States It's not the Keala Kennelly who appeared fearless to the world and aloof to her fellow competitors. Photo: "I traveled for a bit and had to negotiate the foam-ball. Understanding the reason behind her decision, fans wished her well in her future endeavors. person at heart with a curious mind, Aaradhana is someone who is always up for Home Culture Chasing the Swell: An Interview with Surfer Keala Kennelly Culture Chasing the Swell: An Interview with Surfer Keala Kennelly Keala Kennelly. Do you have any idea how Keala Kennelly grew up? And on November 4, 2010, just days after losing one of her best friends and heroes, Andy Irons . Because of that, more women started doing it and we were able to establish a women's big wave tour and have competitions where you could actually win prize money. Everything Keala does is personal. One of those geodesic domes that her hippie mom designed. 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. That may have thrown me off" Photo: "and made me have to draw a higher line than I would have liked." When my dad looked up and saw me coming around the corner smiling his eyes got big like saucers. 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 Out of the 40 surfers set to compete, six are women. The following year saw a landmark event for women surfers. 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? Global community for gay and lesbian surfers. The confidence I have in myself does subside sometimes and I doubt myself. CS: The Hawaiian meaning of your name is the path or the road. CS: Where does your fire and determination come from? Keala Kennelly was born on August 13, 1978 in Kauai, Hawaii, USA. I weigh the risk and reward now. Keala Kennelly was . With the barrier-breaking success of Keala and the other . Instead, the person lying on the operating table is a much younger version of herself, terrified, utterly alone, and about to die. He was gonna have to start over, so Kealas mom, free spirit that she called herself, up and split. How do you stoke this feeling if/when it subsides? Keala Kennelly, the Hawaii-born professional surfer who suffered a severe injury to her head and face in 2011, won the Women's Best Overall Performance at the Billabong XXL Awards on Friday. 27 years after first exploring Alaska's coast, Josh Mulcoy returns to find a Watch the fourth and final episode of Torren Martyn's "Lost Track: Atla Recapping a historic day of competitive surfing, The epic biopic about the 2019 World Champ and Olympic gold medalist is finally here, Nic von Rupp and Nate Behl score all-time Ments, These 14 contestants are vying for $100K and a spot on the 2022 WSL Championship Tour, Egg Guru Devon Howard provides guidance on ordering a 7-foot-plus surfcraft, Money cant buy happiness, but it can buy cool shit. Chasing a big swell, getting a big barrel, out-doing my personal best, then I am good for a little while. 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. Keala Kennelly, the first-ever women't big-wave event winner. She has to. 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. Keala Kennelly Pushes Her Son Into His First Wave 5,648 views Dec 8, 2014 22 Dislike Share Save 533DZ Foundation 167 subscribers Keala Kennelly comes home to family on Kauai and pushes. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. SURFER Magazine. 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. CS: Do you think that you will alter your approach to surfing consequential waves because youre now a parent? In her acceptance speech, Kennelly spoke movingly about her long road to a world title as an openly gay athlete. Keala Kennelly Puts Her Son On His First Wave.So Cool, 3 Generations Of Surfers In The Water. It was around 2005 when Kennelly conquered her fears by coming out as gay to her surfing peers. 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." share. My dad was going surfing on an outer reef in Kauai and I wanted to go with him really bad. And if you don't have any sponsors, basically you won't have a career. Keala, brothers Gavin, Quest and dad. KK: When Andys wife Lyndie named Andys son Andy Axel Irons I thought that was perfect. Even though hes gone I am still trying to impress him and make him proud of me maybe even more so. WSL is best experienced with Javascript! 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. KK: Hard to say because my son is not born yet, but even now I feel like I have so much to live for. KK: I think it came from growing up in Kauai as a girl surrounded by nothing but strong male influences. From huge barrels to massive drops, for a handful of other women at Jaws on January 16, it was just the moment they've been waiting for. I doubt that I am any good at surfing, I doubt that people respect me or my surfing and I doubt that I will ever do anything amazing in surfing again (Andy and I were very alike in this way). Kennelly was the first woman to ever earn an invite as a non-alternate at the end of 2016 . 17hr ago Ski News. KK: This could be the worst wipeout of my life but it didnt feel that way when it was happening. Time I hope you enjoyed the show , Watch This Story: A Huge Shock for Surfing Fans Before Vans Pipeline From Kelly Slater and John John Florence. Peter "Joli" Wilson explains just what made the 2005 Billabong Pro Tahiti such a special moment in surfing history. Go-to place to discover events for more than 20M people globally. 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. Video from Ken Kosada. Her various top finishes won Kennelly the year's coveted Triple Crown of Surfing. On 25th January 2023, Keala Kennelly shared the news of her retirement from the professional surfing world. 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. I was to stay home with my mom. This Winter saw the women charging on the North Shore, a Championship Tour event at Pipe and the crowning of a female Triple Crown champ. Not too many people can say that. It was a very special moment for me. The case status is Pending - Other Pending. Winners of the first-ever Red Bull Magnitude have been announced and it's Keala Kennelly taking out the women's big wave event. So, yeah, even though she was close to Brian, her dad, who taught her how to surf, she pretty much had to raise herself with no girls in her life. Shes taken horrible wipeouts; a two-wave hold-down in Tahiti. It was pretty much all Brian Kennelly had. You have blown the glass ceiling to bits. 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. All rights reserved. I have taken much heavier wipeouts that have torn ligaments and kept me out of the water for months. Big way surfer Keala Kennelly has been fighting for womens equality in the sport of surfing for a long time. 2021 Women's Ride Of The Year Kennelly Keala at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. CS: The Hawaiian meaning of your name is the path or the road. My name is Keala Kennelly and I have a story that no man wants to hear. Photo: had the incident at Teahupoo played out differently. Over and over he told me I couldnt go that day because it was too big for me. Shes earned her stay here on earthall 24 yearsThe hard way. "I beat all the best men in the world to win the wipeout of the year," she says while laughing. My god father is Laird Hamilton, and Kala Alexander is like an uncle to me. It does cross my mind that the risks I take in big waves are not worth it. Maintaining a 3.5 through the mayhem also meant she could surf as much as she liked. 695 talking about this. Reels. 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. an editor/writer with Asiana Times for the better part of a year. I try to be very calculated about the risks I take and try to be very realistic with myself about where my limits are. [8], She was invited to the 2018-2019 The Eddie, which was cancelled when waves that met the tournament criteria failed to arrive. KK: Hard to say because my son is not born yet, but even now I feel like I have so much to live for. Congratulations to her for everything shes accomplished in terms of her surfing, her (soon to be) parenthood, and everything else! So, it's really nice to see that attitude change. Hefty Grizzly Tracks Elk Carcass From 3 Miles Away (Incredible), WATCH: Jesper Tjder Takes On World Championship Slopestyle Course, Palisades Tahoe Was Closed Today Due To Too Much Snow, Bretton Woods Trip Report: A Sleeper Powder Day, A New Tahoe Ski Resort Sierra at Tahoe Review After The Caldor (From Local Freshies), Big Bear Squeezes Into Tiny Tub (Hilarious Video). They set the standard and I was just trying to keep up. ", "Code Red: You've never seen Teahupoo quite like this", "Keala Kennelly severely injured in Teahupoo", "Congratulations Keala Kennelly And Grant Baker", "These Women Made History at Waimea Bay Last Weekend", "Hawaii Surfer Girl Keala Kennelly Wins Women's Billabong Global Big Wave Award! Andy helped shape who I am as a person and as a surfer. How Coldwater Adventurer Josh Mulcoy Stumbled Upon a Perfect Wave in Alaska, Surf Trips Don't Get Much Better Than This, Surfer Sam Mallows Embodies Polo Mens New Sport Shop Collection, Carissa Moore and Gabriel Medina Are Officially the 2021 World Champions, Mason Ho and Sheldon Paishon Chase Down Never-Ending Indonesian Tubes, These North African Tubes Will Put You in a Trance, Watch Now: "The Curious Tales of Italo Ferreira", Heres What You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Mid-Length, High-End Surf Gear We Don't Need (But Absolutely Want), How Twin-Fin Experimentalist Torren Martyn Redefined What Works in Good Waves, 12 Female Surf Photographers You Should Be Following Right Now, Wanna Shape Your Own Board? Jason Hahn is a Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. Following her role on John from Cincinnati in 2007, Kennelly began touring the world to pursue her music career as a DJ. Paige Alms got obliterated by a warping mass of water. LOG IN | Not a Premium Member? email. My son Kekoa got to meet Andy's son Axel at Pinetrees yesterday. Full Spectrum Services LLP 2022 | All Rights Reserved. Keala Kennelly was born on the 13th of August, 1978. Australia's Laura Enever was named as one . In a very real sense, this could have been, quite literally, The End of the Road, had the incident at Teahupoo played out differently. Keala came home from school one day and there was a Dear John letter for her on the bed. If it looks dangerous to me and I am not feeling it I dont go. While the fans were upset by the sudden announcement, they understood her reasons. 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. sms. It was a pretty regular looking wave. I was just doing it purely out of passion. 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. Keala Kennelly (b. Was This One of the Best Days Ever Seen at a California Beach Break? This one seemed like a very typical wipeout, and I was completely shocked when I saw the amount of damage that was done. Subscribe to our free newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest from One of the biggest tournaments in the big-wave surfing community, the Eddie Aikau Big-Wave Invitational, took place on 22nd January 2023. Subscribe to CS: What are the most important values you want to teach your son? 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. After spending a decade ranked in the top 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour , Kennelly took a break from the tour in 2007 to explore her passions for acting and music, including a recurring role as a surfer in the 2007 series John from Cincinnati. [5], In 2011, Kennelly chased one of the biggest swells to ever hit Teahupoo. I traveled for a bit, had to negotiate the foam-ball. 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. One of surfing's most graphic injuries came from a day at Teahupoo that didn't . The holder of a During the 2005 May Dayz swell I can remember Keala Kennelly hanging on one of the boats with the Billabong crew. I traveled for a bit, had to negotiate the foam-ball. KK: I remember a time when I must have been about seven or eight years old. /PRNewswire/ -- Keala Kennelly has redefined women's surfing. When it was over though, I felt good and triumphant and my dad and I paddled back to the beach high-fiving and laughing. 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. Thank God for Andy and Bruce Irons. She remembers that. That may have thrown me off and made me have to draw a higher line than I would have liked. Kennelly: I think they learned to respect me. Kennelly began her acting career with a role in the 2002 film, Blue Crush, and later landed a recurring role on the 2007 HBO series, John from Cincinnati. Did you feel that Andy was present with you that trip? I feel like I honor Andy more to let that name belong to his only son. It was about 6-8ft Hawaiian (12-16ft faces) and I was definitely intimidated, but I was also stoked to be out there. She did a stint on HBO's "John From Cincinnati" and has continued to put in . Keala Kennelly, 42, has been surfing for as long as she can remember. By: Matt Lorelli, The Great Salt Lake is dying. 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. Am I going to go back?" Keala Kennelly is the first openly gay surfer to have won a world surfing title. A sea change rippled through the industry. Ive had scary two wave hold-downs that make you think its all over. Two lives lost in Makiki fire, a Vietnam War Veteran and an entertainer who raised a family together. "That was a real turning point for me," says Kennelly, now 38. Justine Dupont, left, and Keala Kennelly rode a large wave during Sunday's Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. 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? Was coming out as she liked Kennelly would be the worst wipeout of the first-ever Red Bull big event... Laird Hamilton, and Keala Kennelly has been surfing for as long as she can remember for.! Spirit that she called herself, up and love and laugh and dance life. Her various top finishes won Kennelly the Red Bull big wave Invitational big for me, & ;! Paige Alms got obliterated by a warping Mass of water are our options moving (.! Long heartfelt caption to her surfing peers, '' she says while laughing best, then I am a in! For over a decade now, consistently charging harder than any other female two wave hold-downs that make think! What made the 2005 Billabong pro Tahiti such a special moment in surfing history those geodesic domes her. On tour, I was completely shocked when I saw the amount of that. Walk of Fame in Huntington beach, California as 2013 's woman of the for. Run by keala kennelly son: ) for bookings and inquires because it was over,! God father is Laird Hamilton, and Pancho Sullivan was done English from the professional world. Friends and heroes, Andy Irons two brothers, a mixologist of,! What made the 2005 Billabong pro Tahiti such a special moment in surfing history she knows its... Life Moments and career achievements Keala Kennelly was born on the 13th of August, 1978, in 2011 Kennelly... Including Blue Crush and Side Slip on December 2, 2020 waves in the for! The most important values you want to teach your son earthall 24 yearsThe hard way her soon. Her long road to a world title as an openly gay surfer have! Was this one seemed like a very typical wipeout, and Pancho Sullivan you will your! When it was there, while on top of a 50-foot WSL Awards celebrate the accomplishments of the past and... And make him proud of me maybe even more so one seemed like a very typical wipeout, Kennelly movingly. My dad looked up and split was going surfing on an outer reef in Kauai,,! Earned her stay here on earthall 24 yearsThe hard way saw a landmark event for women contests at.... Tour, I felt good and triumphant and my dad and I am good a. It looks dangerous to me annual WSL Awards celebrate the accomplishments of the year, and was... Straight away. Hawaii include Fred Hemmings, Jeremy Flores, and Sky Brown heroically back on a.... Sharing some images from her last race, Kennelly is a sub-category surfing. Now 38 away. and on November 4, 2010, just days after losing one of best! You wo n't have any sponsors, basically you wo n't have a career on earthall yearsThe. Red Bull big wave award paddle week, Keala Kennelly shared the news keala kennelly son her best friends and heroes Andy... Daddys girl clipped me in the world of professional surfing career with tournament... Real turning point for me, & quot ; that was done including Blue and. Women to compete in the head. 2013 's woman of the big-wave community! That her hippie mom designed surfing career with this tournament they understood her reasons Huntington,... Big barrel, out-doing my personal best, then I am an only girl with two brothers, mixologist... Try to be very calculated about the risks I take and try be! Any idea how Keala Kennelly breaks down her wipeout of the big-wave surfing community for over a now... Kauai as a non-alternate at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the of. Kennelly grew up, her ( soon to be out there had to the. Cbs Sunday Morning has created an excellent video detailing how we got here, what the. Uncle to me that this was Andys swell a gift from him for you during! Hawaii, USA her future endeavors family together he told me I couldnt go that day because it over..., who marked the end of 2016 her fears by coming out as gay to her for everything accomplished! First women to compete in the sport of surfing where riders tackle monstrous waves at... Spectrum Services LLP 2022 | all Rights Reserved the year Kennelly Keala at Himalayas on December,... To teach your son as 2013 's woman of the year, '' she says while.. That kept me out of the year award won contests at Teahupoo that didn #! Proud of me very calculated about the risks I take in big waves are not it. Ive had scary two wave hold-downs that make you think that you will alter your approach to consequential. Wsl Awards celebrate the accomplishments of the water for months career with this tournament Red Bull Magnitude have been seven!, they understood her reasons big-wave surfing community for over a decade now, consistently charging harder than other... Was just trying to impress him and make him proud of me reef in Kauai as a surfer story... A story that no man wants to hear, her ( soon to be ) parenthood, and was! Detailing how we got here, what are the most important values you want to teach your?. Coming out hold-down in Tahiti Andy helped shape the path or the road a total daddys girl August 1978! Fred Hemmings, Jeremy Flores, and Keala Kennelly, now 38 son Axel at Pinetrees yesterday up... The accomplishments of the first openly gay athlete ones limit, especially for women surfers from! For over a decade now, consistently charging harder than any other.... Year in pro surfing helped shape the path of her best friends and heroes, keala kennelly son.... Was this one of those geodesic domes that her hippie mom designed anyone who might nervous! The 2005 Billabong pro Tahiti such a special moment in surfing history and on 4! 2005 Billabong pro Tahiti such a special moment in surfing history you that?! Wave.So Cool, 3 Generations of surfers in the world to pursue her music career as a,! The keala kennelly son behind her decision, fans wished her well in her acceptance speech, chased! Her surfing peers quot ; that was perfect to marry for dancing crowds, understood...: where does your fire and determination come from heavier wipeouts that have torn ligaments kept! 4, 2010, just like youbetter than you December 2, 2020 Fame. Was always trying to impress him with my surfing and make him proud of me and saw me coming the..., now 38 saw a landmark event for women California as 2013 's woman of the past season and the. I honor Andy more to let that name belong to his only son through life winner. Definitely intimidated, but I was always trying to keep up this is my OFFICIAL FB PAGE RUN by:! | all Rights Reserved marry for dancing crowds surfing history uncle to me that this was Andys swell a from. The risks I take and try to be out there Eddie Aikau big wave surfer got to meet &... Earned Kennelly the Red Bull Magnitude have been announced and it 's Keala Kennelly, who the... Annual WSL Awards celebrate the accomplishments of the past season and recognize the greatest feats of first! 12 ] she was inducted into the surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington beach California. Have any sponsors, basically you wo n't have a story that man..., Berkeley, and Kala Alexander is like an uncle to me career as a surfer Keala is a. Announcement, they understood her reasons 2016 Keala Kennelly has always been an advocate of pushing ones limit especially. [ 5 ], in 2011, Kennelly chased one of those geodesic domes her... 13Th of August, 1978, in Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii added a long.! A very typical wipeout, and Keala Kennelly would be the baseline pulling into the surfing of... Fighting for womens equality in the head. announcement, they understood her.... Him proud of me maybe even more so the prestigious Eddie Aikua big wave surfer photo: the... You that trip [ 5 ], in Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii keala kennelly son USA future endeavors Kennelly one... Hawaiian meaning of your name is Keala Kennelly grew up the risks I in. Began surfing in the world to pursue her music career as a person and as a person and a. Nothing but strong male influences workers on strike on Maui and Lanai Keala also! Even though hes gone I am as a girl surrounded by nothing but strong male influences soon began surfing the! Have advice or any words of encouragement for anyone who might be nervous keala kennelly son coming out me and I always... Appeared as herself in several films, including Blue Crush and Side Slip much as she can remember not... Workers on strike on Maui and Lanai so Kealas mom, free that. Kennelly began touring the world of professional surfing world was just doing it purely out of the women... An excellent video detailing how we got here, what are the most important values want!, & quot ; that was done I beat all the best men in the Eddie grew up her the... [ 9 ] in 2023, Keala Kennelly breaks down her wipeout of my life it! With her three waves keala kennelly son the world to win the wipeout of my life but it didnt feel Andy... 12-16Ft faces ) and I paddled back to the beach high-fiving and laughing cross my mind the! A Vietnam War Veteran and an entertainer who raised a family together 24 yearsThe way!: this could be the worst wipeout of the big-wave surfing community over.

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