In 2015, she was again among the nominees. 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. When I later started to be more open about my sexuality, I lost the majority of my endorsement deals and have been struggling ever since to continue my career as a pro surfer. Behind The Scenes On Blue Crush With Keala Kennelly. Then I had a few sponsors drop me and so, that was just more confirmation that it wasn't okay. 2021 Women's Biggest Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. Link copied to clipboard. 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. Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, surfer DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. We've got a lot more stacked for you. To have fear is to know that there are severe consequences. It felt like I was trying to be something I was not and I didnt like the way that felt. 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. The media adulation and peer group deference to heroic big-wave surfers like Paige Alms, Keala Kennelly and Maya Gabeira belies the potentially lethal damage that collision with multiple stories . . To be fearless is to be ignorant.. 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. What happened out there? 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. Monday, January 23, 2017 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. 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. First woman to win a big-wave contest. That train of thought led me to the movie _Blue Crush,_ but then I thought: _Why should I post an actress pretending to be a surfer? I think about my family, my friends, my loved ones, my partner. Keala Kennelly is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. I was like, Why do I have all these texts?' Help us build our profile of Keala Kennelly! 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. Fear helps keep you alive. So it conditioned me to put up a tough front, never show my feelings. So I took his tray of food and smashed it into his face. Kennelly: Even before I got on tour, it was already very well known that it was not okay to be out, it was not okay to be a lesbian. During that infamous 'Code Red' swell,[6] she displayed the best barrel-riding by a female at Teahupoo. 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. "They say a picture is worth a thousand words. She continues to DJ and compete as a big wave surfer. It was just to prove that women could do it. KK: Yeah, I was 17. It's treacherous and exhilarating all at once, and sort of "feels like trying to outrun a dragon," surfer Keala Kennelly says. Browse the full lineup and get your ticket here.Or, subscribe to Wavelength now to get free . It took me right back to my childhood [laughs]. Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) July 23, 2015. It's likely a handful of other women tried their luck throughout the day. I slowly became more comfortable with myself. Her various top finishes won Kennelly the year's coveted Triple Crown of Surfing. 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. A post shared by Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) on Dec 17, 2017 at 1:56pm PST. He said: Right now at a time when we could really use some strong female role models -- especially after this last election, where we thought we were going to have a woman president and then we got the antithesis of that. Where would we be if she hadnt decided to stay the course and continue to live the great life she has? 2021 Women's Performer Of The Year Nominees. It saved my ligament from tearing which kept me off the surgeon's table, but poor muscles take a while to heal too. Passion. After getting barreled, she was pushed down to Teahupoo's notoriously shallow reef and received a severe gash to the side of her face. Even when I took that first set on the head, and I was like, 'Yeah, awesome. 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. And, probably, the first former Championship Tour (CT) surfer ever to star in an HBO series. I came from a very loving, very supportive family. Updated about 1 month ago. Who is Keala Kennelly dating? He was open about it on social media, so I reached out to him privately. She continues to push women's surfing to new levels. Her zodiac sign is Leo. What's one thing that you think just might not be translating to potential sponsors? 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. SOPHIE EVERARD. Shes also undoubtedly a big part of why the sport has changed, offering equal opportunities for all. It got to a point where I didn't care what the cost was, I couldn't live like this. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. KK: Well, Im not religious. Kennelly is fully qualified to participate as she, and many other female surfers, have been arguing for years. Even Slater said so. "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.'" Members get discounts on merchandise and apparel as well as advanced access to limited edition items. Keala Kennelly is one of the most successful competitive female surfers of all time. They pushed me to be better in the water. Keala is a Kauai-born surfer who turned pro at seventeen, and in time qualified for the ASP World Tour. 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 makes me feel very connected to the universe. And if you don't have any sponsors, basically you won't have a career. I paddled for a smaller wave but it didnt even break. Surfer Keala Kennelly attends the 10th Annual XXL Billabong Big Wave Awards at Grove Theater on April 23, 2010 in Anaheim, California. She left that behind a decade ago, along with the hardened exterior shed cultivated since childhood. She resided atop the CT for years and is currently regarded as one of the best big wave surfers in the world. (Video by Carlo Carbajal. By any measure, Keala Kennelly has achieved a slew of firsts: First woman known to have surfed Teahupo'o. So when I got on the tour, I was so freaking nervous because I inherently knew I was gay. We were always trying to outdo each other, go bigger. 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. It was this unspoken thing, a safe space, kind of like 'don't ask, don't tell.' He has a B.A. Its not the Keala Kennelly who appeared fearless to the world and aloof to her fellow competitors. It took her finding other gay surfers to realize she could be open about her sexuality and be a pro surfer. KK: It did. When I turned around there was just this huge set coming for me. Keala Kennelly's age is 44. parties, do deliveries, paint houses, give surf lessons here and there. And the thought of that became scarier than the fear of what could go wrong. He was gonna have to start over, so Keala's mom, free spirit that she called herself, up and split. [15] I was living this double life because on tour, I was pretending to be straight. "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.". This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. 2021 Women's Ride Of The Year Kennelly Keala at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. Once you got home and absorbed the news, did you connect with Clyde Aikau or the rest of the family? He told me I couldnt sit with the surfer boys because I was a girl. Browse 272 keala kennelly photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. But I just got to a point, toward the end of my time on tour, where I said, "I can't do this anymore. 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 . Hawaiian native Paige Alms made history on November 11 when she became the first woman to win the Pe'ahi Challenge. And it almost killed me.. I lived on pins and needles, trying not to get outed all the time. Love, fear, elation, terror. But thats not true. 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. )For More Check Out:THE GNARLIEST BIG WAVE RIDES OF THE YEAR!!! KK: Andy and Bruce were brothers to me in every sense of the word, which meant they treated me like crap a lot of the time [laughs]. What opportunities do you see for creating community for LGBTQ+ people and folks with mental illnesses in the surfing world? [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. The perfect gift for the surfer in your life. Help keep Keala Kennelly profile up to date. Its not me. So much so that he was the subject of an essay I wrote in Hawaiian history class in 7th grade. . 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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. My last few years on tour everyone pretty much knew I was gay. We need some heroes. Attorney Karen Tynan and Sabrina Brennan, the president of the San Mateo County Harbor Commission, also came on board as co-founders. Big way surfer Keala Kennelly has been fighting for women . I'm just a really honest person, I'm a really genuine, authentic person. After I survived that experience, I let my walls down.. ', This was the start of a whole new chapter. THIS IS MY OFFICIAL FB PAGE RUN BY ME :) For bookings and inquires conta KK: Yeah, it was 1998 or 99 I think. 69.9k Followers, 1,334 Following, 1,608 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) kealakennelly. Professional Big Wave surfer who is known for competing in a variety of opens and surfing events. Instead, shes chosen to focus her energy on the big-wave scene, mostly funding her own exploits while breaking boundaries at heavy water locations like Puerto Escondido, Jaws, and Teahupoo (despite the latter trying to kill her, twice). 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. In 2006, Keala earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Hawaii. The crash was so severe that it earned Kennelly the Red Bull Big Wave Wipe Out of the Year award. And yeah, I was shocked and honored. You've said that, in recent years, there was a point at which you thought about quitting professional surfing. He started at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter in 2017 and interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. The sharp smell of disinfectant hangs in the air, washing out the odor seeping from the buckets of dark fluid she saw in the hallway when the nurses rushed her into theatre. finishing runner up to the World Title in 2003. [14] This award made her the first woman to win at the Big Wave Awards in any open-gender category. She is now pursuing careers as a DJ and actress while . Even when we got enough girls for competitions, I still wanted to compete with the boys, too. What has the surfing world been like for you since you came out? 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From that moment on, it went from a chill session with the boys to a much more aggressive pack trying to prove Bruce wrong. 2021 Women's Ride Of The Year Kennelly Keala at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. That is what Im most afraid of. She continues to DJ and compete as a big wave surfer. Kealla Kennelly | USA. 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." But its the industry that needs to change, not me. Andrea Moller made it two-thirds of the way down her wave before hitting a bump and cartwheeling. Then we had Laird Hamilton, Kala Alexander, and Titus Kinimaka to look up to, as well as my own father [Brian]. And I thought I was already on the shoulder and had made the wave and was getting ready to head for the channel. [3], After leaving the World Championship Tour in 2007 to pursue acting, Kennelly returned to surfing as a professional freesurfer. Keala Kennelly (born August 13, 1978) is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. For men, the emphasis is always on performance. And instead it feels more like I have a really expensive hobby. 69.9K followers. Kennelly maintained a spot in the top 10 of the ASP rankings through 2007, with numerous top finishes and groundbreaking female performances. Her name is one of four that comprises the Committee for Equity in Womens Surfing. 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. But I was stoked, I was feeling really confident. Other professional surfers from Hawaii include Fred Hemmings, Jeremy Flores, and Pancho Sullivan. The 35-year-old Kennelly suffered a severe injury to her face while competing in Teahupoo, Tahiti, in 2011. A Look Back at Keala Kennelly Riding a Jaws Bomb. It created a lot of internalized homophobia and self-hatred in me that wasnt healthy. I had to close myself off in order to protect myself, which goes against my nature because Im generally a very open person. That was later, in 2011. Keala is a good soul. Menu. 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.". 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. Hemal Jhaveri. Before that, she was in on the ground level when the push started forthe ladies to have their ownbig wave competitions and, funny enough, probably the toughest person for naysayers to shut down after she made history, winning a big wave award in a field full of men. For some reason the kids in Kauai are really hard on each other. 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? Connect any celebrity with Keala Kennelly to see how closely they are linked romantically! I tried to be feminine. I grew up in Hawaii, so the Eddie is this legendary thing. I would love to tell him that personally, which is why I'm so bummed I missed the ceremony. I don't care what happens." "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. The Surfers Journal is made possible with sponsorship from: Tel: 949-361-0331 I never thought that I would be a woman invited in my lifetime. PEOPLE: Considering your experiences, do you have advice or any words of encouragement for anyone who might be nervous about coming out? 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. After a heroic performance at The Eddie, Keala Kennelly faces a painful reality. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I am so humbled right now. Transsexual. 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. ", "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! It's not like I made some big statement I just started bringing girlfriends on tour and not introducing them as friends. Video from Ken Kosada. 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. You forget all the BS and the stuff you don't like. A powerful wave threw her from her surf board while she was in shallow water into a coral reef. planet. Keala Kennelly is a 44 year old American Surfer born on 13th August, 1978 in Kauai, Hawaii, USA. A video posted by Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) on Jul 25, 2015 at 2:47pm PDT. Things are changing fast and getting better for everybody, not just women. That was part of the reason why I left the tour and didn't go back to it. I think about death a lot. 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. in Venice Beach and opening for Boy Eats World at the Pacifico Beer Party at the US Open in July 2016. Afterward, Keala shared the graphic picture with fans, showing a gash on her upper cheek that extended nearly to the bone. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. 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. Fear is good. 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. Fear helps keep you alive. Jan 27th, 2023. 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. Movies. 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. There weren't enough girl surfers to put together a team at first, but I always wanted to compete anyway. "I beat all the best men in the world to win the wipeout of the year," she says while laughing. Kennelly turned professional at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the World Qualifying Series (WQS). I feel that very strongly when I surfthat Im connected to something greater or connected to everything all at once, if that make sense? [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. All you backsiders out here, KK just got a barrel that shit on all your faces! Then he paddled off, laughing to himself. Photo: Thouard. My sponsors kind of knew, but we didnt talk about it. Kennelly is currently competing in Red Bull Sport's Magnitude, the first womens-only big wave contest across Hawaii. I just simply stopped going to great lengths to hide it. first woman to be invited to the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Event, Tyler Wright is another out championship surfer, LGBT communities within the surfing world, brand inclusivity in terms of sponsorships and advertising. And it felt really natural, like 'this is how it's supposed to go down.'. WSL is best experienced with Javascript! Search instead in Creative? To have fear is to know that there are severe consequences. 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. PEOPLE: You came out as a lesbian in the surfing community nearly two decades ago, can you tell us what that experience was like for you? 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. like. PEOPLE: From what you know about surf culture today, have things changed for the better? photos, It's way more challenging when you have that stiff wind, that makes things harder, and you saw a lot more wipeouts in both the men's and the women's. There are still no openly gay athletes on the CT, though, she says. [8], She was invited to the 2018-2019 The Eddie, which was cancelled when waves that met the tournament criteria failed to arrive. And yet, it wasn't the easiest of days for you, and you left with an injury. As of 2022, Keala Kennelly is possibly single. Keala Kennelly, 42, has been surfing for as long as she can remember. "They made it pretty rough," she tells Bustle, but she still wanted to make and ride the biggest waves she could. Winners of the first-ever Red Bull Magnitude have been announced and it's Keala Kennelly taking out the women's big wave event. His parents split when he was 13. As a woman, and as a first, I can't even put into words what a huge honor that is. I just wanted to prove them wrong and I wanted to prove to myself that I could. Rebecca Parsons. He was pissed and smashed my sandwich into my face and we were about to start throwing blows when security broke us up. Keala keala kennelly wife a 44 year old American surfer born on 13th August, 1978 ) is a surfer! Point for me the GNARLIEST big wave contest across Hawaii & quot ; they say a picture is worth thousand! 2017 at 1:56pm PST as co-founders big statement I just simply stopped going to lengths. Living this double life because on tour everyone pretty much knew I was stoked, was! And so, that was part of the year Kennelly Keala at Himalayas on December 2, 2020 at PDT. Change, not me here, KK just got a lot more stacked for.. 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