Also check out other Music Events in Honolulu, Entertainment Events in Honolulu, Parties in Honolulu. New Chairlift At Quebec . She remembers that. 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 Judges overseeing this case are GEORGINA T. RIZK and YOLANDA OROZCO. You must be logged in to enter the Gay Surfers social network. 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. How do you stoke this feeling if/when it subsides? Out of the 40 surfers set to compete, six are women. This was the first year women competed in the Eddie. 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. Keala Kennelly; Makani Adric; and Paige Alms. 2021 Women's Performer Of The Year Nominees. Kennelly was the first woman to ever earn an invite as a non-alternate at the end of 2016 . So, it's worth it. Kennelly: I had just all this internalized homophobia and self-hatred for being gay. Eventually I got caught inside and pummeled by a set which shook me up and probably scared the crap out of my dad. Trying to win. 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. 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. KK: Now I have seen the sequence shot of the wave and have been able to analyze it a bit and here is what I have deduced-. Out of the 40 surfers set to compete, six are women. My name is Keala Kennelly and this is my website. The deep, pulsating beat beneath the melody that keeps the tempo; the feeling of a heart beat pushing through a cacophony of noise. CS: Do you think that you will alter your approach to surfing consequential waves because youre now a parent? "I beat all the best men in the world to win the wipeout of the year," she says while laughing. You can hear the entirety of her speech below. They set the standard and I was just trying to keep up. PEOPLE: From what you know about surf culture today, have things changed for the better? She is now pursuing careers as a DJ and actress while . Born and raised in the beautiful Hawaiian islands, Keala is one of the best female surfers in the world and arguably the best female big wave surfer on the planet. 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. 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. 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). E.g. 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. Celebrate with an energized evening of music and merriment featuring a concert by Paula Fuga & Trishnlei, and special DJ sets by Keala Kennelly! Keala came home from school one day and there was a Dear John letter for her on the bed. Kennelly: I think they learned to respect me. KK: This could be the worst wipeout of my life but it didnt feel that way when it was happening. Doing these things is what makes me feel truly alive. You said, One minute I was getting barreled and the next minute I was getting pile-driven face first into the reef. After having some time to think about the incident, do you have a better understanding or guess as to what went wrong? If womens shortboarding were a song, Keala Kennelly would be the baseline. Thank you for signing up. 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. He was gonna have to start over, so Keala's mom, free spirit that she called herself, up and split. [15] PEOPLE: What were you feeling at the time? "Big wave" is a sub-category of surfing where riders tackle monstrous waves measuring at least 20 feet high. She came out and her sponsor didn't drop her, they're still supporting her. My god father is Laird Hamilton, and Kala Alexander is like an uncle to me. And if you don't have any sponsors, basically you won't have a career. And on November 4, 2010, just days after losing one of her best friends and heroes, Andy Irons . Especially herself. 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. I traveled for a bit, had to negotiate the foam-ball. Global community for gay and lesbian surfers. Andy helped shape who I am as a person and as a surfer. Did you feel that Andy was present with you that trip? Honesty, integrity, bravery, kindness, compassion for others, pride in who he is, and above all to treat others the way he wants to be treated. Shes ridden deep at Pipeline, just like youbetter than you. So, I think the surfing community, they weren't totally accepting of LGBT people at the time but I think that they respected me for living my truth, speaking, being open, being brave enough to just be authentic. She would go on to win 3 more times in Teahupoo in 2000, 2002,[1] and 2003. Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, 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). tweet. 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? Keala Kennelly Puts Her Son On His First Wave.So Cool, 3 Generations Of Surfers In The Water. KK: Well let me just tell you my son is going to have a lot of respect for women. Probably more. 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. KK: I remember a time when I must have been about seven or eight years old. CS: Where does your fire and determination come from? As for Andy he is always with me. When my dad looked up and saw me coming around the corner smiling his eyes got big like saucers. 2021 Women's Ride Of The Year Kennelly Keala at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. 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. "The board hit me in the shin, it flipped again and hit me in the ribs and then it flipped again and hit me in the face.". Was This One of the Best Days Ever Seen at a California Beach Break? (view on map). I get to be proud of who I am and I get to love myself exactly as I am, not as people would want me to be. This case was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Courts, Stanley Mosk Courthouse located in Los Angeles, California. After finishing 2nd in the world on the WQS Tour in 1997, she was accepted to the World Championship Tour and quickly began earning victories at some of the tour's biggest events. I'm just a really honest person, I'm a really genuine, authentic person. I think I was bleeding before my brain even processed I wasnt coming out of the barrel. That may have thrown me off and made me have to draw a higher line than I would have liked. Maintaining a 3.5 through the mayhem also meant she could surf as much as she liked. Her aggressive approach to catching waves was inspired by her upbringing, surfing with legends like Andy and Bruce Irons and Laird Hamilton in Kauai. KK: Its personal. [10], Kennelly's accomplishments have garnered her numerous accolades, including being named the 2002 Female Surfer of the Year by ESPN and more recently, the 2011[5] and 2013 Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award,[11] and the 2014 Billabong XXL Womens Performance Award. Trying to be something. PEOPLE: Do you feel you are your 100%, authentic self today? I weigh the risk and reward now. Chasing a big swell, getting a big barrel, out-doing my personal best, then I am good for a little while. Why is it important to get back up and keep charging? Photo: "It threw me straight into the reef before I even realized what happened." Jason Hahn is a Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. Hurricane Iniki, September 1992. Kennelly has always been an advocate of pushing ones limit, especially for women. Keala Kennelly. The deep, pulsating beat beneath the melody that keeps the tempo; the feeling of a heart beat pushing through a cacophony of noise. KK: I think it came from growing up in Kauai as a girl surrounded by nothing but strong male influences. 1978) plays Kai in John From Cincinnati. Photo: "I thought I was coming out but the lip just clipped me in the head." Follow your favorites and never miss a wave. In a spaceship. 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. Besides these two acting roles, she has appeared as herself in a number of documentaries, including 7 Girls (2001) and Step Into Liquid (2003). Keala hasnt been the subject of any controversies or rumors concerning her love life, since she has been away from the limelight. Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. 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. If women's shortboarding were a song, Keala Kennelly would be the baseline. Im an admirer and so it was that I watched as Keala left the safety of her home and her life-love, Jane (who is pregnant with the pairs first child), in Hawaii to meet a massive swell in Tahiti. 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. [9] In 2023, she was one of the first women to compete in The Eddie. Keala Kennelly delivered an inspiring acceptance speech at the 2019 World Surf League (WSL) Awards. Not being in my son's life as much as I would like to be has been one of the most painful sacrifices I have had to make for the sport that I love." . It's treacherous and exhilarating all at once, and sort of "feels like trying to outrun a dragon," surfer Keala Kennelly says. Surfing, like almost every other sport, lacks visible, openly gay, competitors and Kennellys words are a powerful reminder of challenges LGBTQ athletes still face. Growing up in Kauai, Hawaii, she didn't have the opportunity to compete in surf competitions against other girls so, she. I cartwheeled on my first wave and thought I broke my neck, she told The Inertia after competing. Kennelly is a professional surfer who has appeared as herself in several films, including Blue Crush and Side Slip. 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. She is an actress, known for John from Cincinnati (2007), Blue Crush (2002) and Beyond the Break (2006). You have blown the glass ceiling to bits. Subscribe to our free newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest from Video from Ken Kosada. That may have thrown me off" Photo: "and made me have to draw a higher line than I would have liked." CS: Is this your worst surf-related injury? Think about that next time youre looking down your insecure noses at her. She doesnt remember much from that note, except that it was pretty short. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. So she dressed like them and talked like them and tried her best to surf like them; actually beat them both in amateur contests at Pine Trees. The best universities in the U.S. for scoring waves while getting your degree. Some people are just not going to be accepting, not going to agree with you, but if you're living your truth, people will respect you. My name is Keala Kennelly and I have a story that no man wants to hear. By signing up you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Shes risked her life, surfing desperately for the money that no one else on earth is ever going to give her. LOG IN | Not a Premium Member? Do you have any idea how Keala Kennelly grew up? View Gallery. Shes taken horrible wipeouts; a two-wave hold-down in Tahiti. 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. In her acceptance speech, Kennelly spoke movingly about her long road to a world title as an openly gay athlete. KEALA KENNELLY, PRO SURFER. Keala Kennelly's age is 44. The Great Pirate Adventure, Mr Burns - a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, Monthly Botox & Dermal Filler Training Certification - Honolulu, Hawaii. Big way surfer Keala Kennelly has been fighting for womens equality in the sport of surfing for a long time. When it was over though, I felt good and triumphant and my dad and I paddled back to the beach high-fiving and laughing. 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. If it looks dangerous to me and I am not feeling it I dont go. 2016 won the (Pure Scot Barrel of the Year Award) at the XXL Big Wave Awards for getting barreled at Teahupoo, Tahiti.. 2014 Billabong XXL Womens Performance Award.. 2013 Inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame as the Woman of the Year. I have taken much heavier wipeouts that have torn ligaments and kept me out of the water for months. Getting ready for the Countdown Series events in Australia, Carissa Moore on the women's return to Teahupo'o and BWA Wipeout Week. "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. The way I get my confidence back when I feel like that is by doing something amazing again. KK: When Andys wife Lyndie named Andys son Andy Axel Irons I thought that was perfect. 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. I try to be very calculated about the risks I take and try to be very realistic with myself about where my limits are. And every so often, the dragon catches up to you. 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. 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