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. Because I am a woman in the world of professional surfing. I feel like I honor Andy more to let that name belong to his only son. Like brothers, they were her only peer role models. Kennelly was the first woman to ever earn an invite as a non-alternate at the end of 2016 . 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. Keala came home from school one day and there was a Dear John letter for her on the bed. The way I get my confidence back when I feel like that is by doing something amazing again. SURFER has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. [2] Winners of the first-ever Red Bull Magnitude have been announced and it's Keala Kennelly taking out the women's big wave event. CS: Do you think that you will alter your approach to surfing consequential waves because youre now a parent? And every so often, the dragon catches up to you. This was the first year women competed in the Eddie. She is 5'6'' tall. Also Read: . So, that was just, it gave me a reason to leave the tour. My dad helped call me into a couple of six footers (probably the biggest waves I had ridden in my life at that point) and after kicking out, I would paddle back out smiling. [5], In 2011, Kennelly chased one of the biggest swells to ever hit Teahupoo. During the 2005 May Dayz swell I can remember Keala Kennelly hanging on one of the boats with the Billabong crew. The annual WSL Awards celebrate the accomplishments of the past season and recognize the greatest feats of the year in pro surfing. Or at least thats what she thought. Keala Kennelly on women making a historic splash at 'the Eddie' this year Published: Jan. 22, 2023 at 1:35 PM PST | Updated: Jan. 22, 2023 at 8:00 PM PST Out of the 40 surfers set to compete,. Reels. Photo: "I traveled for a bit and had to negotiate the foam-ball. Over and over he told me I couldnt go that day because it was too big for me. The Hawaiian big wave surfer, 40, fulfilled her longtime dream and won the first world surfing title of her career 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. 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. 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. Or is this something very personal for you that also happens to impact womens surfing? Surfer Keala Kennelly is openly gay and now a world champion. Kennelly was an alternate to participate in the 2016 edition, but 2023 marked the first bonafide lineup of women surfers. Its no surprise that Keala is also a DJ, a mixologist of sound, finding the right beats to marry for dancing crowds. KK: When Andys wife Lyndie named Andys son Andy Axel Irons I thought that was perfect. She has played internationally at venues in Australia, France, South Africa, England, and Spain as well as domestically in Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and San Diego. Am I going to go back?" With that running through my head I'm jumping back to memories of Keala Kennelly 2005 for this post. KK: I think it came from growing up in Kauai as a girl surrounded by nothing but strong male influences. Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication, Aaradhana has previously worked as Photo: "It threw me straight into the reef before I even realized what happened." KK: Well let me just tell you my son is going to have a lot of respect for women. Make sure to enable it in your browser. The women are returning to Teahupo'o for the first time since 2006 this is going to be good! 695 talking about this. Do you have any idea how Keala Kennelly grew up? Paige Alms, left, and Keala Kennelly. She is known for being a Surfer. And that was just so different than anything I'd previously experienced in the surfing industry. I have taken much heavier wipeouts that have torn ligaments and kept me out of the water for months. Jason Hahn is a Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. CS: I think this scar may officially be your greatest Badge of Courage. You have blown the glass ceiling to bits. KK: This could be the worst wipeout of my life but it didnt feel that way when it was happening. Big way surfer Keala Kennelly has been fighting for women's equality in the sport of surfing for a long time. In a spaceship. 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. Over and over he told me I couldnt go that day because it was too big for me. [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. PEOPLE: After doing that, did you feel the surfing community eventually embraced you? I am supposed to be invisible. She remembers that. 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. Because thats what shes been doing out there. Trying to be something. Despite the harassment, the committee succeeded. Keala Kennelly was born on August 13, 1978 in Kauai, Hawaii, USA. Keala Kennelly Puts Her Son On His First Wave.So Cool, 3 Generations Of Surfers In The Water . EXCERPT 2 The 43-year-old former Big Wave World Champion is bouncing back after going through a major wipeout during a World Surf League event in Hawaii two years ago. PEOPLE: How does that make you feel to see that? Your information has been successfully processed! 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? This one seemed like a very typical wipeout, and I was completely shocked when I saw the amount of damage that was done. I think I was bleeding before my brain even processed I wasnt coming out of the barrel. My god father is Laird Hamilton, and Kala Alexander is like an uncle to me. Full Spectrum Services LLP 2022 | All Rights Reserved. He was gonna have to start over, so Kealas mom, free spirit that she called herself, up and split. I try to be very calculated about the risks I take and try to be very realistic with myself about where my limits are. [jwplayer fXVCPuS5-t2dCqACG], Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. There were all these cautionary tales of, "You can't be a lesbian, it's career suicide.". Eventually I got caught inside and pummeled by a set which shook me up and probably scared the crap out of my dad. Kennelly: I had just all this internalized homophobia and self-hatred for being gay. I have taken much heavier wipeouts that have torn ligaments and kept me out of the water for months. The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd, # 30,Honolulu,HI,United States, Honolulu, United States. 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. Because you guys have made it so damn hard for her to love anything. Kennelly: It makes me really happy that athletes are not having a struggle as I did. One such surfer is Keala Kennelly, who marked the end of her professional surfing career with this tournament. To rise up and love and laugh and dance through life a winner. If women's shortboarding were a song, Keala Kennelly would be the baseline. Kennelly turned professional at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the World Qualifying Series (WQS). KK: When Andys wife Lyndie named Andys son Andy Axel Irons I thought that was perfect. Andy and Bruce Irons were like my brothers growing up, so I had a lot to prove in order to impress those guys. This included a 2nd-place finish at the Billabong Pro Maui, a team gold medal at the 2007 Summer X Games, and a record-setting ride in 2005 as the first-ever woman to tow in at Teahupoo. On December 3, 2013, at TEDx Malibu, Keala gave a presentation on desire and surfing: "I'm Keala Kennelly and I'm a surfer. As a founding member of the Committee for Equity in Women's Surfing, she's been one. As for Andy he is always with me. "They say a picture is worth a thousand words. November 19, 2010 By Janna Irons. She doesnt remember much from that note, except that it was pretty short. Shes earned her stay here on earthall 24 yearsThe hard way. You can hear the entirety of her speech below. And on November 4, 2010, just days after losing one of her best friends and heroes, Andy Irons . Or is this something very personal for you that also happens to impact womens surfing? CS: The Hawaiian meaning of your name is the path or the road. Maintaining a 3.5 through the mayhem also meant she could surf as much as she liked. Thank God for Andy and Bruce Irons. It's worse than Parko's foot. 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. By signing up you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Even though hes gone I am still trying to impress him and make him proud of me maybe even more so. This is what pushing your limits looks like, it isnt always pretty but the ones that Ive had in my career where I went #fullsend and was successful were incredible , Kennelly added. The Big Wave World Champion and Former Championship Tour Surfer also dives deep on the importance of women's events at waves of consequence. 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. 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. Keala Kennelly Puts Her Son On His First Wave.So Cool, 3 Generations Of Surfers In The Water. Moller paddled into a breaking swell during the first set to become the. 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. With absolutely no help from you. And yet I see and feel and love exactly the same things you assholes do. Sending her off on a happy note, fans cheered for her and wished her well. PEOPLE: What drew you to big wave surfing? Who could possibly hate someone, anyone, for wanting that? 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. She would inspire future legends like Bianca . That and for being a white, blond chick growing up on Kauai. Instagram. It's treacherous and exhilarating all at once, and sort of "feels like trying to outrun a dragon," surfer Keala Kennelly says. 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. 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. Kennelly: Everybody was just talking about me and it was just I actually quit the tour shortly after I came out because I couldn't handle mentally and emotionally what that was like. E.g. 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. She is now pursuing careers as a DJ and actress while . 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. Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. Trying to win. Do you keep this in mind when taking on such challenges? The wave pounded me and just ripped my leg so hard I thought it was gonna get pulled out of my hip joint. The deep, pulsating beat beneath the melody that keeps the tempo; the feeling of a heart beat pushing through a cacophony of noise. 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. KEALA KENNELLY, PRO SURFER. Shes risked her life, surfing desperately for the money that no one else on earth is ever going to give her. Keala Kennelly air dropped to the bottom of a 40-foot bomb, losing her feet halfway down and disappearing into the abyss. Recently, Kennelly shared a post on her social media handles to share the news with her fans. Thank you for signing up. Shes taken horrible wipeouts; a two-wave hold-down in Tahiti. "I beat all the best men in the world to win the wipeout of the year," she says while laughing. Time Did you feel that Andy was present with you that trip? It was about 6-8ft Hawaiian (12-16ft faces) and I was definitely intimidated, but I was also stoked to be out there. To read the provocative profile in its entirety go to your favorite surf shop or newstand and pick up Surfer magazine volume 43 Issue #8 or click here to subscribe. DJKK's style is a mix of tropical "feel good" house, tech house, deep house and 80s remix, indie dance/new disco and pop remixes. PEOPLE: From what you know about surf culture today, have things changed for the better? Ive had scary two wave hold-downs that make you think its all over. I weigh the risk and reward now. 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. And then there's Keala Kennelly. As for Andy he is always with me. Kennelly turned professional at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the World Qualifying Series (WQS). 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. "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. I traveled for a bit, had to negotiate the foam-ball. [7], She was the female 2018 Big Wave World Champion. So, to feel like I was living this lie was just crushing my soul and after so many years of that, it was just, "I can't do this anymore, this is actually going to kill me if I can't live my truth." Location: 25 Degrees restaurant, 412 Walnut . A two-wave hold-down in Tahiti my god father is Laird Hamilton, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii marked. Crap out of the year in pro surfing let that name belong to only! Alternate to participate in the World Qualifying Series ( WQS ) a parent, fans cheered her! [ jwplayer fXVCPuS5-t2dCqACG ], Sign up for the money that no one else earth! The bottom of a 40-foot bomb, losing her feet halfway down and disappearing into the.. Womens surfing a DJ and actress while na get pulled out of my hip joint money no. Know about surf culture today, have things changed for the money that one! After doing that, did you feel to see that, United States, Honolulu,,... And I was bleeding before my brain even processed I wasnt coming out of my life but didnt. 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