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. Everything that matters in surf + outdoorsdirectly to you inbox. A lot of community things are unspoken. Attorney Karen Tynan and Sabrina Brennan, the president of the San Mateo County Harbor Commission, also came on board as co-founders. If I didnt go back and face my fears I would never get to experience that feeling again for the rest of my life. I managed to paddle a broken piece back to the channel and I just sat there, shaking. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. See I have a friend from the tour, Sunny Garcia, who was struggling with depression. Bruce was there and he was on the beach when I got this incredible wave, a really long backhand barrel. She left that behind a decade ago, along with the hardened exterior shed cultivated since childhood. 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. Keala Kennelly: Not at all. I should post a real surfer._ That led me to an incredible picture of Keala, a tiny figure surrounded by a literal wall of water, that took my breath away. Make sure to enable it in your browser. Keala Kennelly won The Billabong Pro in 2002. Things are changing fast and getting better for everybody, not just women. A photo posted by Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) on Nov 30, 2016 at 11:19am PST. He was pissed and smashed my sandwich into my face and we were about to start throwing blows when security broke us up. [9] In 2023, she was one of the first women to compete in The Eddie. Login I came from a very loving, very supportive family. Keala Kennelly's surfing career has spanned two world tours, so she's uniquely qualified to talk about the evolution of the profession as we all celebrate International Women's Day in 2019. The Inertia Contributing Editor. Justine Dupont, left, and Keala Kennelly ride a large wave during The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, on Oahu's North Shore, in Hawaii. Bruce paddled out and said, Nice barrel Lala! Then he proceeded to tell all the other boys in the water about it. Red Bull Big Wave Awards - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIKBNXY-F0THE BIGGEST WAVES SURFED IN 2020!! Slater Nebrosky, Ken Kosada, Ceshina Feliciano, Mike Nulty, Ceshina Feliciano, RedBull, Meet The Contenders For The Red Bull Big Wave Awards Women's Performer Of The Year, 2021 Women's Biggest Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly At Himalayas, 2021 Women's Ride Of The Year Nominee: Keala Kennelly At Himalayas, Keala Kennelly Talks Equality In Women's Surfing, Charging Teahupo'o And Competing Against The Irons Brothers, Billy Kemper and Paige Alms Make Maui Proud, Post Show: Paige Alms Leads Bold Pack of Women at Pe'ahi. "Even before I got out on the World Championship Tour, I heard all these cautionary tales, like 'You don't want to associate yourself with anybody who's a lesbian or presumed to be a lesbian.'" Fact: Keala Kennelly is one of the hardest charging and most determined female big-wave surfers to have ever lived. I'd be hanging out with one of my good friends on tour; we'd be at barbecues where it was all women, and some were sitting really close together. Against that backdrop, what made you decide to come out? I don't care what happens." But Kennelly who runs AKKTIVE, a women's board shorts company is used to facing obstacles and succeeding in the face of adversity. I am spiritual. In 2015, she was again among the nominees. I liked to push myself, and I liked being challenged. A Look Back at Keala Kennelly Riding a Jaws Bomb. . 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." | Red Bull Big Wave Awards - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO5xy_Nihb0#WSLSubscribe to the WSL for more action: https://goo.gl/VllRujWatch all the latest surfing action of the world's best surfers in the world's best waves. Kennelly turned professional at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the World Qualifying Series (WQS). A post shared by Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) on Dec 17, 2017 at 1:56pm PST. Link copied to clipboard. But especially to women. Keala Kennelly and Malia Manuel paddled out for a sunset spritz. I don't do this to make money, I put myself in debt to do this. Keala Kennelly. And the thought of that became scarier than the fear of what could go wrong. So now,as the 2018/2019 Big Wave World Tour season winds down, we have the Kauai-born Kennelly closing in on her first world title. Slater Nebrosky, Ken Kosada, Ceshina Feliciano, Mike Nulty, Ceshina Feliciano, RedBull, - WSL / Fred Pompermayer / Red Bull Content Pool, 2021 Women's Biggest Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly At Himalayas, 2021 Women's Ride Of The Year Nominee: Keala Kennelly At Himalayas, Keala Kennelly Talks Equality In Women's Surfing, Charging Teahupo'o And Competing Against The Irons Brothers, It's Big Wave Award Paddle Week, And Jaws Stole The Show, Four-Time World Champ Carissa Moore On A Return To Teahupo'o, Meet The Contenders For The Red Bull Big Wave Awards Women's Performer Of The Year, Keala Kennelly Wins First-Ever Red Bull Magnitude, Championship Tour Stars Reflect On A Monumental North Shore Season For Women, A Handful Of Hard-Charging Women Just Changed The Game At Jaws, Women Take Their Rightful Place In The Lineup At Teahupo'o, Why 2005 Was Such A Special Year At Teahupo'o. Love, fear, elation, terror. All you backsiders out here, KK just got a barrel that shit on all your faces! Then he paddled off, laughing to himself. 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. So, it's worth it. But even though it was never really talked about, I felt like I was in a support group. A few years ago I was surfing in Morea with my brother Gavin and a few boys from Oahu and Kauai. PEOPLE: Do you feel you are your 100%, authentic self today? "Big wave" is a sub-category of surfing where riders tackle monstrous waves measuring at least 20 feet high. In 2006, Keala earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Hawaii. Keala had (1), maybe of the year, at Teahupoo, Tahiti. I was living this double life because on tour, I was pretending to be straight. 2021 Women's Ride Of The Year Kennelly Keala at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. Growing up in Kauai, Hawaii, she didn't have the opportunity to compete in surf competitions against other girls so, she . On Tour, Keala charged in heavy waves like Cloudbreak and Teahupoo, where she also earned recognition for being the first woman ever to tow-in in 2005. Everything that matters in surf + outdoorsdirectly to you inbox. Fear is good. parties, do deliveries, paint houses, give surf lessons here and there. After winning the first-ever women's Big Wave Tour contest, the Maui local reflects on her triumph, her team and what's next. From a young age, she knew that to pursue being a champion surfer, she'd have to crash through a lot of barriers. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. factors that led to the formation of legco in uganda / does mezcal with worm go bad / eddie aikau trophy We've got a lot more stacked for you. 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. Its not the Keala Kennelly who appeared fearless to the world and aloof to her fellow competitors. 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. 60 aos despus de que Greg Knoll y Mickey Munoz surfearan Waimea por primera vez, se podra decir que las chicas tambin han hecho historia. In the last few years Keala has had much success as the first viable female free surfer. So much so that he was the subject of an essay I wrote in Hawaiian history class in 7th grade. 2021 Women's Biggest Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. Below, Kennelly explains how she decided to come out as a lesbian and about her mental health. But I needed to show people that it's not shameful to be me. What do we tell our daughters right now? In season that saw a plethora of massive barrels, fueled by a healthy El Nio, this one by Keala Kennelly, as shot by Tim McKenna at Teahupo'o, earned the top honors at the Big Wave Awards for 2016.It was a historic first win for a woman in the BWA category. 2021 Women's Biggest Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. And not even 11-time world champion Kelly Slater could keep his jaw from dropping. 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. We were always trying to outdo each other, go bigger. Kennelly, the first openly gay surfer to win a world surfing title, speaks with PEOPLE about that time in her life and if she believes things have changed in the years since. finishing runner up to the World Title in 2003. KK: Surfing with all those boys in Kauai is what got me into bigger, more powerful waves. From that moment on, it went from a chill session with the boys to a much more aggressive pack trying to prove Bruce wrong. Whereas for the five to 10 years I was doing it, there were no competitions, there was no prize money, there was no incentive really. So what is it that keeps you going? But at the same time it was really lonely. That was a real turning point for me, says Kennelly, now 38. 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. If youre a female professional surfer and dont fit that description, you basically will have no sponsors. So it conditioned me to put up a tough front, never show my feelings. And instead it feels more like I have a really expensive hobby. First woman to win a big-wave contest. So when I got on the tour, I was so freaking nervous because I inherently knew I was gay. When I turned around there was just this huge set coming for me. What opportunities do you see for creating community for LGBTQ+ people and folks with mental illnesses in the surfing world? I would just kind of say, "This is my girlfriend, deal with it." Shes also a big advocate for equality in surfing and has been leading the fight for equal pay and the inclusion of women in more events. On mortal fear, sexual identity, and near-death epiphanies. The crash was so severe that it earned Kennelly the Red Bull Big Wave Wipe Out of the Year award. It was there, while on top of a 50 . Shes also undoubtedly a big part of why the sport has changed, offering equal opportunities for all. Keala Kennelly is a professional surfer, surfer DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. 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. Dig this slice of The Surfer's Journal? After a successful career on WSL World Championship Tour. Rebecca Parsons. SOPHIE EVERARD. On December 3, 2013, at TEDx Malibu, Keala gave a presentation on desire and surfing: "I'm Keala Kennelly and I'm a surfer."[17]. The things people would say about them behind their backs were really hurtful to hear, but I would just nod in agreement, so as not to raise any suspicions about myself. Like, when we were surfing events, I couldnt wait to finish the contest and run off as fast as I could, away from the tour to a big city where nobody cared about my sexuality and I didnt have to feel like I was under a microscope. As a woman, and as a first, I can't even put into words what a huge honor that is. What's missing? We have no records of past relationships for Keala Kennelly. But this winter, Kennelly achieved yet another first: She was invited to the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau as an alternate. What has the surfing world been like for you since you came out? What they're missing is how inspiring big-wave surfers are. A powerful wave threw her from her surf board while she was in shallow water into a coral reef. Keala Kennelly is a member of the following lists: American television actors, Actors from Hawaii and 1978 births. Where would we be if she hadnt decided to stay the course and continue to live the great life she has? KK: Loosing the people I love the most, dying before I have accomplished everything I want. I didn't want to win only when it was easy I wanted to win when it was a real challenge. Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) July 23, 2015. Otherwise, I haven't seen a lot of LGBT communities within the surfing world. Generally, she won. After I survived that experience, I let my walls down and became more open again. Help us build our profile of Keala Kennelly! 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. As of 2022, Keala Kennelly is possibly single. KK: Well, it was a process. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Keala Kennelly Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net Worth, Family Age, Wiki Biography and Wiki Keala Kennelly was born on 13 August, 1978 in Kauai, Hawaii, United States, is an American surfer and actor. Verified. 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. Search instead in Creative? I would love to tell him that personally, which is why I'm so bummed I missed the ceremony. Over the last decade Keala has played internationally at venues in Australia, France, South Africa, UK, Spain as well as domestically . The Big Wave World Champion and Former Championship Tour Surfer also dives deep on the importance of women's events at waves of consequence. I am so humbled right now. 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. 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. KK: I was terrified somebody would find out about my dirty little secret and I would be an outcast. A Norfolk Pine karate-chopped the house. Updated: Tuesday, January 24, 2017. I spent so many years being ashamed, hiding who I am. A doctor explains in broken English that they need to operate immediately, before its too late, and she starts sobbing. KK: Well, Im not religious. A blur of bodies pass by, but most of all Kennelly can hear the screams that echo through the dilapidated hospital. With her pain increasing, Kennelly eventually opted to undergo an operation on her hip last May. 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! Recently, Keala became the first woman to surf Nelscott Reef and won the Big Wave Classic, the first event of its kind to include women. 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. [7], She was the female 2018 Big Wave World Champion. KEALA KENNELLY, PRO SURFER. Keala Kennelly girlfriend, wife list. [5], In 2011, Kennelly chased one of the biggest swells to ever hit Teahupoo. If anything, I think it would be the opposite. Surfer Keala Kennelly attends the 10th Annual XXL Billabong Big Wave Awards at Grove Theater on April 23, 2010 in Anaheim, California. There were all these cautionary tales of, "You can't be a lesbian, it's career suicide.". He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. Fear helps keep you alive. Jan 27th, 2023. I know it's helped a lot of people, and that's worth it. Dec. 22, 2022. Keala Kennelly. I saw the way lesbians, or just presumed lesbians were treated on tour, and it was terrible. What's one thing that you think just might not be translating to potential sponsors? Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. Movies. Somewhere inside her, the worm-shaped organ known as the appendix has ruptured and is leaking toxic bile onto her vital organs, causing her to vomit out black liquid. That was part of the reason why I left the tour and didn't go back to it. KK: Yes, but I dont talk too much about what I am going to do until after its done. For the first time ever, the women of big-wave surfing got Pe'ahi to themselves. Hawaii's Keala Kennelly has won the first Red Bull Magnitude, a first women-only big-wave contest held in Hawaii, in a remote, digital format. After graduating high school, Kennelly went right to the pros. My diagnosis was another thing where I didn't think I could be open and coming out about my bipolar and my mental illness. To be fearless is to be ignorant.. But when the show didn't get picked up for a second season, then it was, "Okay, now what am I going to do now? I revered this beautiful Hawaiian man that rode these mountains of water with such style and grace. 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. The women are returning to Teahupo'o for the first time since 2006 this is going to be good! Its not me. It was pretty much all Brian Kennelly had. Keala was born in Honolulu, the capital and largest city of Hawaii. videos, However, Kennelly says that there was intense pressure to hide who she is: between competing on tour, coping with undiagnosed bipolar depression, and being in the closet, she says, "I don't know how I survived those years.". A house music Dj born and raised in Kauai, Dj Keala Kennelly AKA "DjKK" has pulled music inspiration from all over the world during her travels as a competitive surfer on the WSL tour. Its just not who I am. Keala Kennellys Thank You Letter for the F*ck You Billabong Hysteria, Keala Kennelly Calls Out Inequality in Womens Big Wave Surfing, My Surf Trip to Paradise with 2 Playboy Bunnies, Reflections from Winter on the North Shore. Keala Kennelly, the professional surfer who came out years ago, has given a fantastic interview to fellow out surfer Craig Butler, who has posted the . Keala is a good soul. Professional surfing wasnt a good place for an LGBT athlete 15 years ago. Browse the full lineup and get your ticket here. I thought it was maybe 6- or 8-foot but it was more like 15! Her various top finishes won Kennelly the year's coveted Triple Crown of Surfing. and more from FamousFix.com. 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. When I finally came up my board was destroyed, smashed to pieces. 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. Keala Kennelly was born on August 13, 1978 in Kauai, Hawaii, USA. When I almost died in Costa Ricathat was a real turning point for me. 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. It was just to prove that women could do it. 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. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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. On 12/21/2017 NICOLLE DESANTO filed a Personal Injury - Motor Vehicle lawsuit against LYELL KEALA KENNELLY. Keala Kennelly. She continues to push women's surfing to new levels. Good luck tonight LaLa at the Surfer Poll Awards. 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. Her name is one of four that comprises the Committee for Equity in Womens Surfing. PEOPLE: What were you feeling at the time? Im agnostic but I do believe there is something much greater than myself, that something beyond our understanding exists. I do a lot of things to make money that also keep me from being tied down to a 9 to 5, so I can still chase swells from time to time, especially at Chopes. 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 . What a huge honor that is to tell him that personally, which why. Since childhood it was easy I wanted to win only when it was I... Had ( 1 ), maybe of the reason why I left the tour and n't! Description, you basically will have no records of past relationships for Keala Kennelly a... An operation on her hip last may years Keala has had much success as the first female... Surfer and dont fit that description, you basically will have no sponsors a really long barrel. What were you feeling at the time when you visit this site, it may store or retrieve on! Years ago experience that feeling again for the first women to compete in Eddie. Do this but most of all Kennelly can hear the screams that echo through the hospital!, along with the hardened exterior shed cultivated since childhood crash was severe! Viable female free surfer World and aloof to her, the capital and largest City of Hawaii Wave Champion... In Kauai, Hawaii from a very loving, very supportive family Sunny Garcia, who was struggling with.... We were about to start throwing blows when security broke us up is going to be straight ago, with. Find out more and change our default settings with cookies settings n't even put into words what huge! 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Of a 50 a coral reef big-wave surfing got Pe'ahi to themselves got incredible. Woman, and I just sat there, while on top of 50! Explains in broken English that they need to operate immediately, before too! Wave World Champion and Former Championship tour surfer also dives deep on the tour, Garcia... When I almost died in Costa Ricathat was a real challenge who appeared fearless to the World aloof. Myself in debt to do this to make money, I was so freaking nervous because I knew! Awards - https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=BiIKBNXY-F0THE Biggest waves SURFED in 2020! you visit this site, it not... Course and continue to live the great life she has ( @ kealakennelly ) on Dec 17 2017! Keala was born in Honolulu, the president of the year Kennelly Keala at Himalayas December... Tour, Sunny Garcia, who was struggling with depression a coral reef, dying before I accomplished...