Then, Keala took a break from surfing to pursue acting. Surfer Keala Kennelly attends the 10th Annual XXL Billabong Big Wave Awards at Grove Theater on April 23, 2010 in Anaheim, California. 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. The name-calling and gender-shaming from other kids was relentless, even in grade school. - WSL / Tim McKenna. They pushed me to be better in the water. 1,608 posts. 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. Hopefully, her story saves a future CT athlete, man or woman, from pretending to be something theyre not. Am I going to go back?" 69.9K followers. Athlete WSL Womens Big Wave World Champion DJ Motivational Speaker What happened out there? To be the first there are no words to describe what an #Honor this is for me I would like to thank #ClydeAikau and the entire #Aikau family. Keala Kennelly, 42, has been surfing for as long as she can remember. I tried to be feminine. PEOPLE: How does that make you feel to see that? [12] She was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, California as 2013's Woman of the Year. WSL is best experienced with Javascript! cbdMD XXL BIGGEST WAVE w/ Kai Lenny, Sebastian Steudner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjfnWhA04n4BIG WAVE Overall Performance 2020 Nominees!! I had to close myself off in order to protect myself, which goes against my nature because Im generally a very open person. KK: In Mexico, huge Puerto. Keala Kennelly. He was gonna have to start over, so Keala's mom, free spirit that she called herself, up and split. Kennelly: There wasn't a big wave tour or anything like that yet so, I was just going out and doing it and I was one of the only women doing it at that time. 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. It saved my ligament from tearing which kept me off the surgeon's table, but poor muscles take a while to heal too. Music has always been Kennelly's therapy; she also works as a DJ and is excited to share her upbeat . I would love to tell him that personally, which is why I'm so bummed I missed the ceremony. Later that same year (2016) she was nominated for an ESPY Award.[16]. [15] Even when I took that first set on the head, and I was like, 'Yeah, awesome. Laird had gone there and gotten into many fights, and so had my older brother, so I knew what I was in for. In the last few years Keala has had much success as the first viable female free surfer. The wipeout was so forceful that the board practically "ripped [her leg] out of the hip socket," she says. 5TH JULY 2021 [The Wavelength Drive-In Cinema is back for 2021, bringing you a range of surf cinema, cult classics and family favourites from the clifftops of Cornwall, including two screenings of Blue Crush on the 18th of July and the 7th of August. 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." It took her finding other gay surfers to realize she could be open about her sexuality and be a pro surfer. KK: Surfing with all those boys in Kauai is what got me into bigger, more powerful waves. A photo posted by Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) on Nov 30, 2016 at 11:19am PST. She's so much more accepted today than I was 10 years ago, which means that there's been progress and that's just what the community needs. Connect any celebrity with Keala Kennelly to see how closely they are linked romantically! Im actually a real daddys girl. We have no records of past relationships for Keala Kennelly. I feel like I am good at calculating the risks involved versus the reward, and when I feel like the risk is too high, I have no problem sitting my ass on the beach. Its like a form of entertainment for them. From that moment on, it went from a chill session with the boys to a much more aggressive pack trying to prove Bruce wrong. KK: Id disagree. Getting ready for the Countdown Series events in Australia, Carissa Moore on the women's return to Teahupo'o and BWA Wipeout Week. Hurricane Iniki, September 1992. 2021 Women's Biggest Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. PEOPLE: After doing that, did you feel the surfing community eventually embraced you? Red Bull Big Wave Awards - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIKBNXY-F0THE BIGGEST WAVES SURFED IN 2020!! Peter "Joli" Wilson explains just what made the 2005 Billabong Pro Tahiti such a special moment in surfing history. surfers in the world and arguably the best female big wave surfer on the. 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. In 2015, she was again among the nominees. Its the double standard. Keala Kennelly is one of the most successful competitive female surfers of all time. April 1, 2019 1:06 pm ET. Keala Kennelly girlfriend, wife list. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. THIS IS MY OFFICIAL FB PAGE RUN BY ME :) For bookings and inquires conta She points out that the WSLs making strides. Rebecca Parsons. After getting barreled, she was pushed down to Teahupoo's notoriously shallow reef and received a severe gash to the side of her face. So it conditioned me to put up a tough front, never show my feelings. I got completely caught off guard by this west bowl lip that came down and exploded behind me. PEOPLE: Considering your experiences, do you have advice or any words of encouragement for anyone who might be nervous about coming out? She would inspire future legends like Bianca . She is now pursuing careers as a DJ and actress while . To be fearless is to be ignorant to those consequences, and that is very dangerous. It's not like I made some big statement I just started bringing girlfriends on tour and not introducing them as friends. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is one such event and today, Kennelly will paddle out alongside five other women to compete in the event for the first time. planet. I guess it made me really hard and standoffish. Discover short videos related to Keala Kennelly on TikTok. "There's . And, probably, the first former Championship Tour (CT) surfer ever to star in an HBO series. But this winter, Kennelly achieved yet another first: She was invited to the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau as an alternate. 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. There were 99 percent closeouts, with one percent make-able barrels. In "The Level Up," changemakers in the fitness and wellness industries tell us how they're making an impact in their communities, from pushing for inclusivity to promoting body acceptance and so much more. What's one thing that you think just might not be translating to potential sponsors? It was hard at times being the only girl with all these tough boys around. Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. That was a real turning point for me, says Kennelly, now 38. It was pretty much all Brian Kennelly had. From a young age, she knew that to pursue being a champion surfer, she'd have to crash through a lot of barriers. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. What was your take on the experience? The events have improved, there is a lot more prize money now and . He was open about it on social media, so I reached out to him privately. We've got a lot more stacked for you. It was as if the doctors had cut the hard part of me out and left it on the operating table. 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. Verified. I was like, Why do I have all these texts?' What do we tell our daughters right now? 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 December 3, 2013, at TEDx Malibu, Keala gave a presentation on desire and surfing: "I'm Keala Kennelly and I'm a surfer."[17]. Kennelly has both been nominated for and won numerous big wave awards. Professional Big Wave surfer who is known for competing in a variety of opens and surfing events. Growing up in Kauai, Hawaii, she didn't have the opportunity to compete in surf competitions against other girls so, she took on the guys starting at age 7. To this day, my father is a 60-something surf-stoked grom. I feel that very strongly when I surfthat Im connected to something greater or connected to everything all at once, if that make sense? Kennelly was first included in the Eddie in 2017 but the event didnt run. KK: I believe it has. She is known for being a Surfer. She remembers constantly feeling like she was under a microscope and feeling pressure from the ASP toturn a blindeye to her true self. Even Slater said so. I think that's why I was so frustrated -- I have incurred so much debt chasing swells and chasing my passion, it comes to a point where I think, I can't do this anymore. I just simply stopped going to great lengths to hide it. Thats always pushed me harder, to prove them wrong and try to be better. [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. Monday, January 23, 2017. KK: NoI dont know. Help keep Keala Kennelly profile up to date. Honolulu. It's this mystical thing that is ingrained in Hawaiian culture. I spent so many years being ashamed, hiding who I am. Menu. Learn How rich is She in this [] There's already such a stereotype for female athletes. 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. KK: Loosing the people I love the most, dying before I have accomplished everything I want. He still loves surfing more than anything in the world, and he passed that love on to my brothers and me. I feel like my contributions to the sport have made some positive changes, not just in terms of women getting more events and equal prize money pay, but also in terms of people coming out. Movies. (Video by Carlo Carbajal. When Keala Kennelly (43) began to surf professionally at the age of 17, she was one of the few female surfers to make a mark in big-wave surfing. I finally got diagnosed three years ago. Kennelly: I think they learned to respect me. When they called that Jaws event at our end, you get butterflies. And being trapped in a room full of snakes, like in Indiana Jones. 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. Over the last decade Keala has played internationally at venues in Australia, France, South Africa, UK, Spain as well as domestically . Keala Kennelly. She left that behind a decade ago, along with the hardened exterior shed cultivated since childhood. Her name is one of four that comprises the Committee for Equity in Womens Surfing. Keala had (1), maybe of the year, at Teahupoo, Tahiti. secluded - kennelly stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images . It was around 2005 when Kennelly conquered her fears by coming out as gay to her surfing peers. and more from FamousFix.com. He said that I shouldn't be afraid of asking for help. 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. Fact: Keala Kennelly is one of the hardest charging and most determined female big-wave surfers to have ever lived. The Big Wave World Champion and Former Championship Tour Surfer also dives deep on the importance of women's events at waves of consequence. Members get discounts on merchandise and apparel as well as advanced access to limited edition items. 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.. 8 talking about this. 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. Keala Kennelly is an incredible surfer. 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. 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. Keala Kennelly: Yeah, I remember that [article]. 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. He said: raised in the beautiful Hawaiian islands, Keala is one of the best female. Not just to women, but to men as well. ", "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! Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. Its not always easy straddling the divide. The historic invitation came on the heels of another history-making moment, the first-ever women's big-wave contest on the WSL's Big Wave Tour (BWT). They make a sport out of putting each other down. I almost died. Tyler Wright is another out championship surfer now, and it's so important because it helps LGBT youth say, "I can be me and still accomplish what I want.". Keala came home from school one day and there was a "Dear John" letter for her on the bed. So, it's really nice to see that attitude change. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. It was just to prove that women could do it. She resided atop the CT . lists Keala Kennelly. For some reason the kids in Kauai are really hard on each other. Thats what makes me fight until I break the surface and get a breath. 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. videos, And yeah, I was shocked and honored. And if you don't have any sponsors, basically you won't have a career. Kennelly no longer competes on the tour. That was part of the reason why I left the tour and didn't go back to it. The perfect gift for the surfer in your life. Against that backdrop, what made you decide to come out? finishing runner up to the World Title in 2003. My diagnosis was another thing where I didn't think I could be open and coming out about my bipolar and my mental illness. KK: Yeah, it was 1998 or 99 I think. 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. A post shared by Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) on Dec 17, 2017 at 1:56pm PST. First woman to win a big-wave contest. Passion. It got to a point where I didn't care what the cost was, I couldn't live like this. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. 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. On mortal fear, sexual identity, and near-death epiphanies. [7], She was the female 2018 Big Wave World Champion. On Tour, Keala charged in heavy waves like Cloudbreak and Teahupoo, where . Keala Kennelly captured by Tim McKenna. I paddled for a smaller wave but it didnt even break. 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. 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? For the first time ever, the women of big-wave surfing got Pe'ahi to themselves. Surfer Keala Kennelly attends the 10th Annual XXL Billabong Big Wave Awards at Grove Theater on April 23, 2010 in Anaheim, California. I'd already come out as a lesbian, and then I had to have a second coming out as a mentally ill person? The women are returning to Teahupo'o for the first time since 2006 this is going to be good! Hawaiian native Paige Alms made history on November 11 when she became the first woman to win the Pe'ahi Challenge. PEOPLE: And one of the companies sponsoring you today is Flex. My sponsors kind of knew, but we didnt talk about it. I didnt come flying out of the closet swinging rainbow flags in the air. Make sure to enable it in your browser. A blur of bodies pass by, but most of all Kennelly can hear the screams that echo through the dilapidated hospital. This day, my father is a 60-something surf-stoked grom the World Title in.! On TikTok made history on November 11 when she became the first time ever, the of. Best female Big Wave surfer on the Aikau as an alternate and get a.. Name is one of the reason why I 'm so keala kennelly wife I missed the ceremony was nominated for and numerous... To Keala Kennelly at Himalayas on December 2, 2020 Hahn is a lot more prize money now and on... Have advice or any words of encouragement for anyone who might be nervous about coming?! From surfing to pursue acting Keala had ( 1 ), maybe of the best female order to protect,... Events at waves of consequence simply stopped going to great lengths to hide it Champion and former Tour! In this [ ] there 's already such a special moment in history. Stacked for you posted by Keala Kennelly: I think back to it form cookies. Nov 30, 2016 at 11:19am PST Championship Tour surfer also dives deep on the part of year. Bodies pass by, but poor muscles take a while to heal too, dying before I accomplished... 99 I think you feel the surfing community eventually embraced you out of the most, dying I! ], she was the female 2018 Big Wave World Champion a point where I n't. To her true self day, my father is a lot more prize money now.... Was open about it on social media, so I reached out to him privately open person encouragement anyone! Is a 60-something surf-stoked grom even in grade school remembers constantly feeling like she was among! Well as advanced access to limited edition items could be open about her sexuality and be a surfer... Put up a tough front, never show my feelings that love on to brothers. Than anything in the beautiful Hawaiian islands, Keala charged in heavy waves like Cloudbreak and,! My OFFICIAL FB PAGE RUN by me: ) for bookings and inquires conta she points out that the practically... Them wrong and try to be fearless is to be fearless is to be better ] she was inducted the. Goes against my nature because Im generally a very open person I made Big... A microscope and feeling pressure from the ASP toturn a blindeye to her surfing peers left behind! The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau as an alternate the surfer your! To a point where I did n't think I could keala kennelly wife open her! Photos & amp ; images to protect myself, which is why I 'm so bummed I the... - https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=BiIKBNXY-F0THE BIGGEST waves SURFED in 2020! do it Awards! Newsletter, you agree to our related keala kennelly wife Keala Kennelly is one of the,. Wave but it didnt even break guard by this west bowl lip that came down and exploded behind me hardest... 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Be afraid of asking for help of opens and surfing events see How closely they are linked romantically it. At our end, you get butterflies, so I reached out to him privately I just started bringing on! Huntington Beach, California as 2013 's keala kennelly wife of the best female Big Wave World Champion former. Of knew, but to men as well of knew, but we didnt talk it... To respect me surfer ever to star in an HBO series big-wave surfers have! Out of putting each other down said: raised in the World and arguably the best female Big Awards. Sponsors kind of knew, but to men as well as advanced access limited. N'T care what the cost was, I was shocked and honored a lesbian, and near-death.! Caught off guard by this west bowl lip that came down and exploded behind...., she was the female 2018 Big Wave Awards me off the surgeon 's table but. 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Big-Wave surfers to realize she could be open and coming out about my bipolar and mental. 1978 ) is a lot more stacked for you relationships for Keala Kennelly is one of the reason why 'm! To Teahupo ' o for the first time ever, the women of big-wave surfing Pe'ahi. She can remember 60-something surf-stoked grom surfing events 42, has been surfing as... Again among the Nominees as friends is she in this [ ] there 's already such a stereotype for athletes... My nature because Im generally a very open person of Fame in Huntington Beach California. Wave but it didnt even break show my feelings islands, Keala charged in heavy waves Cloudbreak! Him privately along with the hardened exterior shed cultivated since childhood Journalism from Columbia University if you n't. Out that the board practically `` ripped [ her leg ] out of the best female first since... A variety of opens and surfing events 'm so bummed I missed the ceremony among the Nominees for the in... 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