PEOPLE: What drew you to big wave surfing? It's this mystical thing that is ingrained in Hawaiian culture. Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. 69.9K followers. Later that same year (2016) she was nominated for an ESPY Award.[16]. And the thought of that became scarier than the fear of what could go wrong. KK: Surfing with all those boys in Kauai is what got me into bigger, more powerful waves. 69.9k Followers, 1,334 Following, 1,608 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) kealakennelly. I spent so many years being ashamed, hiding who I am. So it was nice to see for myself what was really possible. "They made it pretty rough," she tells Bustle, but she still wanted to make and ride the biggest waves she could. [15] Keala had (1), maybe of the year, at Teahupoo, Tahiti. Fact: Keala Kennelly is one of the hardest charging and most determined female big-wave surfers to have ever lived. ", "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! She resided atop the CT for years and is currently regarded as one of the best big wave surfers in the world. Her name is one of four that comprises the Committee for Equity in Womens Surfing. WSL is best experienced with Javascript! So, I was absolutely terrified and I spent the majority of my time on the pro circuit in the closet and just completely terrified to come out completely terrified to get outed, that I was going to lose my sponsors. THIS IS MY OFFICIAL FB PAGE RUN BY ME :) For bookings and inquires conta If youre a female professional surfer and dont fit that description, you basically will have no sponsors. Menu. He has a B.A. Follow your favorites and never miss a wave. Keala was born in Honolulu, the capital and largest city of Hawaii. 1,334 following. In 2016, Valenti teamed up with other female surfers from the event including Andrea Moller, Keala Kennelly and Paige Alms to form the Committee for Equity In Women's Surfing. So I had to endure a lot of teasing and put-downs, especially if I beat any of them in a contest. Big way surfer Keala Kennelly has been fighting for women . His mother was a house cleaner, and his father was a longshoreman. [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. I didn't want to win only when it was easy I wanted to win when it was a real challenge. 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. Keala Kennelly is an incredible surfer. (For the record, we have no worries whatsoever that this photo . Discover Keala Kennelly's Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Over the course of my life and career, Ive had a lot of people tell me what I can and cant do because Im a woman. "I beat all the best men in the world to win the wipeout of the year," she says while laughing. It was really scary. 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. Attorney Karen Tynan and Sabrina Brennan, the president of the San Mateo County Harbor Commission, also came on board as co-founders. I grew up on the beach playing in the ocean with my two brothers and all the neighbourhood boys including the Irons brothers, Dustin Barca, Danny Fuller, Kamalei Alexander. In 2006, Keala earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Hawaii. You forget all the BS and the stuff you don't like. Once you got home and absorbed the news, did you connect with Clyde Aikau or the rest of the family? secluded - kennelly stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images . Kennelly is currently competing in Red Bull Sport's Magnitude, the first womens-only big wave contest across Hawaii. When you're backside on any wave, you're not facing the wave, so your peripheral - you can only see about 11'o'clock without completely jerking your head around. 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. A blur of bodies pass by, but most of all Kennelly can hear the screams that echo through the dilapidated hospital. For the first time ever, the women of big-wave surfing got Pe'ahi to themselves. O ne sunny morning in January 2018, on a white boat in the blue sea off the Hawaiian island Maui, Bianca Valenti and Keala Kennelly sat on a beanbag listening to "German Sparkle Party," a song . I lived on pins and needles, trying not to get outed all the time. Jan 27th, 2023. I had undiagnosed bipolar depression and was having lots of suicidal ideation at that time. I had to pump through three or four different sections and got spit out. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. KK: Well, Kapaa High was infamous for being a rough school. Keala Kennellys surfing career has spanned two world tours, so shes uniquely qualified to talk about the evolution of the profession as we all celebrate International Womens Day in 2019. "It got to a point where I didn't care what the cost was, I couldn't live like this," the surfing champion tells PEOPLE in a new interview. Keala Kennelly said her injury had the severity of a car accident, and for months afterward she had to take powerful pain medications just to make it through the day. What's missing? He was pissed and smashed my sandwich into my face and we were about to start throwing blows when security broke us up. Her aggressive approach to catching waves was inspired by her upbringing, surfing with legends like Andy and Bruce Irons and Laird Hamilton in Kauai. Updated about 1 month ago. But this winter, Kennelly achieved yet another first: She was invited to the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau as an alternate. But the feeling when you get spit out of a giant barrel at Chopes is like nothing else. A doctor explains in broken English that they need to operate immediately, before its too late, and she starts sobbing. But I'm still in the surfing world and pioneering big wave surfing, so living my truth doesn't mean I can't surf no matter what sponsors say. I paddled for a smaller wave but it didnt even break. ', This was the start of a whole new chapter. Against that backdrop, what made you decide to come out? Keala Kennelly is a member of the following lists: American television actors, Actors from Hawaii and 1978 births. KK: Id disagree. She is now pursuing careers as a DJ and actress while . There weren't enough girl surfers to put together a team at first, but I always wanted to compete anyway. It was around 2005 when Kennelly conquered her fears by coming out as gay to her surfing peers. parties, do deliveries, paint houses, give surf lessons here and there. I know it's helped a lot of people, and that's worth it. The Big Wave World Champion and Former Championship Tour Surfer also dives deep on the importance of women's events at waves of consequence. During that infamous 'Code Red' swell,[6] she displayed the best barrel-riding by a female at Teahupoo. Keala Kennelly girlfriend, wife list. I posted something on my Instagram hoping that he would read it, because I am really grateful to the Aikau family for such a big honor. And if you don't have any sponsors, basically you won't have a career. And, probably, the first former Championship Tour (CT) surfer ever to star in an HBO series. Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. When I turned around there was just this huge set coming for me. 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. Anna Dimond. I was in Costa Rica for a one-star WQS event when my appendix ruptured and I had to be rushed to the nearest hospital in this small town. Kennelly was at that event, too, although her run was cut short when a wipeout sent her to the hospital. It totally crushed me and I was held under for two waves. Butch. Surfer Keala Kennelly attends the 10th Annual XXL Billabong Big Wave Awards at Grove Theater on April 23, 2010 in Anaheim, California. But shell also be the first to tell you there was a time when she wasnt so unapologetically KK., Being gays not a choice, pretending to be straight to save my career was, she says today. Connect any celebrity with Keala Kennelly to see how closely they are linked romantically! I never thought that I would be a woman invited in my lifetime. Shes not being melodramatic about that last part as she looks back on a time when she was within arms reach of a world title while suicidally depressed. To her, the choice came down to being open about her sexuality or face losing sponsors and by extension, her career. KK: NoI dont know. I would love to tell him that personally, which is why I'm so bummed I missed the ceremony. I knew it was big, but I didnt realize how big. So, it's worth it. Kennelly has both been nominated for and won numerous big wave awards. A Norfolk Pine karate-chopped the house. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Getting ready for the Countdown Series events in Australia, Carissa Moore on the women's return to Teahupo'o and BWA Wipeout Week. Keala Kennelly joins me on March 30th, which happens to be World Bipolar Day, as we discuss the stigma around mental disorders during a critical time in our history when everyone needs access to resources in the battle against depression. In the above video, Kennelly nabs a 2013 Jaws bomb, showing she can hold her own in waves of consequence. It took me a year to build up the courage to surf it again. His parents split when he was 13. I left the tour because, emotionally and mentally, I just couldn't handle it but I also got this really amazing opportunity to go do acting on an HBO TV series (2007's John from Cincinnati) for a year. Tell me about how living with bipolar depression has impacted your surfing, or vice versa. Here, surfing world champion Keala Kennelly discusses coming out as a lesbian and fighting stigma against mental illness in the surfing world. The 35-year-old Kennelly suffered a severe injury to her face while competing in Teahupoo, Tahiti, in 2011. I guess that's why I was discouraged -- there I was, breaking all these records, and I don't feel like I can call myself a professional surfer anymore because if you are a professional, you are getting paid. I would just kind of say, "This is my girlfriend, deal with it." Help keep Keala Kennelly profile up to date. The WSLs made a better environment but athletes are still just scared to lose their sponsors.. KK: I D.J. No doubt I pushed them too. Peter "Joli" Wilson explains just what made the 2005 Billabong Pro Tahiti such a special moment in surfing history. PEOPLE: From what you know about surf culture today, have things changed for the better? That is what Im most afraid of. Bruce paddled out and said, Nice barrel Lala! Then he proceeded to tell all the other boys in the water about it. Video from Ken Kosada. Hawaiian native Paige Alms made history on November 11 when she became the first woman to win the Pe'ahi Challenge. After watching swell forecasts for the past month, Kennelly, who spent a decade on women's tour ranked as a top . And doing so has helped shape the path of her life. KEALA KENNELLY was introduced to surfing at a young age by her father and living in Hawaii meant there were always lots of opportunities for her get on her board and hit the waves. Monday, January 23, 2017 Even when I took that first set on the head, and I was like, 'Yeah, awesome. Despite her packed resume of badass wins and awards, Kennelly is very clear that as a 43-year-old competing against 20-somethings, she's keeping her expectations in check for the tour. The Hawaiian became a professional surfer at the age of 17 and embarked on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) before reaching the elite level. Big Wave Award paddle week, Keala Kennelly breaks down her Wipeout of the Year, and Sky Brown heroically back on a surfboard. One time I beat Andy, and he wouldnt even speak to mefor a few weeks! I guess I was most afraid that Id lose my sponsors and never get a real shot at the world title. Keala Kennelly, 42, has been surfing for as long as she can remember. Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. She is an actress, known for John from Cincinnati (2007), Blue Crush (2002) and Beyond the Break (2006). I lost most of my sponsors after starting to live my life as an out lesbian I was told that I was no longer "marketable," even though I was nominated for an ESPY and was the first woman to be invited to the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Event. Discover short videos related to Keala Kennelly on TikTok. She is known for being a Surfer. Even Slater said so. You also recently made history at another historic event, the women's Pe'ahi Challenge. KK: Yes, but I dont talk too much about what I am going to do until after its done. Keala Kennelly: Yeah, I remember that [article]. Pure Scot Barrel Winner: Keala Kennelly, Photo by Tim McKenna. Editors Note: Check out more amazing stories from fearless women in surf and outdoors on The Inertia Women. From a young age, she knew that to pursue being a champion surfer, she'd have to crash through a lot of barriers. If I didnt go back and face my fears I would never get to experience that feeling again for the rest of my life. We were always trying to outdo each other, go bigger. Keala Kennelly is a 44 year old American Surfer born on 13th August, 1978 in Kauai, Hawaii, USA. After spending a decade ranked in the top 10 on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), 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. contact@surfersjournal.com. Today, the Eddie has received the green light and history is about to be made with the women paddling out alongside the men at Waimea Bay for the first time in the Eddies 39-year history. Tyler Wright was sponsored by Rip Curl before coming out and they didn't drop her, which is nice to see. Keala Kennelly. KK: Loosing the people I love the most, dying before I have accomplished everything I want. It was as if the doctors had cut the hard part of me out and left it on the operating table. I tried to be feminine. Keala Kennelly won The Billabong Pro in 2002. finishing runner up to the World Title in 2003. I liked to push myself, and I liked being challenged. . Less talk, more action. And being trapped in a room full of snakes, like in Indiana Jones. [3], After leaving the World Championship Tour in 2007 to pursue acting, Kennelly returned to surfing as a professional freesurfer. "Big wave" is a sub-category of surfing where riders tackle monstrous waves measuring at least 20 feet high. I was like, Why do I have all these texts?' He was always out there on the big days at the bay. This isnt the Keala Kennelly who conquered Teahupoo and Pipeline, nor is it the surfer who refused to be boxed in by stereotypes of what women can and cant do. They make a sport out of putting each other down. She was in the Hollywood hit movie Blue Crush and was a season regular on the HBO show John From Cincinnati. He was open about it on social media, so I reached out to him privately. And, probably, the first former Championship Tour (CT) surfer ever to star in an HBO series. Keala Kennelly was born on August 13, 1978 (age 44) in Hawaii, United States.According to numerology, Keala Kennelly's Life Path Number is 1. Keala is a Kauai-born surfer who turned pro at seventeen, and in time qualified for the ASP World Tour. Keala Kennelly is a professional surfer, surfer DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. After winning the first-ever women's Big Wave Tour contest, the Maui local reflects on her triumph, her team and what's next. Fear helps keep you alive. April 1, 2019 1:06 pm ET. While Kennelly was able to continue surfing the rest of the season, she says the wipeout's effects lasted long after she made it back to shore. N'T drop her, which is why I 'm so bummed I missed the ceremony,. 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