If you look at it, most surf brands only advertise one kind of woman: pretty, feminine, straight, and looks more like a model than an athlete. Hopefully, her story saves a future CT athlete, man or woman, from pretending to be something theyre not. But Kennelly who runs AKKTIVE, a women's board shorts company is used to facing obstacles and succeeding in the face of adversity. There were all these cautionary tales of, "You can't be a lesbian, it's career suicide.". Browse 1,676 kennelly photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. 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. There were 99 percent closeouts, with one percent make-able barrels. See I think I could have made a lot more money if Id stayed in the closet and played the game longer. I remember thinking that I had spent all this time on tour with all these women that I kept at arms length and here I was, about to die, and none of them would care because I never opened up and let them see the real me.. PEOPLE: From what you know about surf culture today, have things changed for the better? It is the first time that a woman has been included on the invitee list for the prestigious big wave contest. Locals still rule the renowned big-wave arena of Pe'ahi. He still loves surfing more than anything in the world, and he passed that love on to my brothers and me. Big way surfer Keala Kennelly has been fighting for women . If I didnt go back and face my fears I would never get to experience that feeling again for the rest of my life. A blur of bodies pass by, but most of all Kennelly can hear the screams that echo through the dilapidated hospital. From a young age, she knew that to pursue being a champion surfer, she'd have to crash through a lot of barriers. "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. Its like a form of entertainment for them. Keala Kennelly. raised in the beautiful Hawaiian islands, Keala is one of the best female. I think I would have stopped hiding who I was sooner. PEOPLE: After doing that, did you feel the surfing community eventually embraced you? Kennelly: I think for me just going through life, living inauthentically was so hard, and coming out was so scary but when I actually finally did come out, it was one of the most freeing feelings in my life. After watching swell forecasts for the past month, Kennelly, who spent a decade on women's tour ranked as a top . Dont get me wrong. I came from a very loving, very supportive family. Keala Kennelly is an incredible surfer. cbdMD XXL BIGGEST WAVE w/ Kai Lenny, Sebastian Steudner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjfnWhA04n4BIG WAVE Overall Performance 2020 Nominees!! I don't care what happens." 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. She would inspire future legends like Bianca . 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. Kennelly turned professional at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the World Qualifying Series (WQS). The case status is Pending - Other Pending. What opportunities do you see for creating community for LGBTQ+ people and folks with mental illnesses in the surfing world? So what is it that keeps you going? photos, 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 is lying on an operating table. ", "2014 XXL Big Wave Awards: Results and Rebuttals", "2016 Pure Scot Barrel Award Winner: Keala Kennelly", "Keala Kennelly the first woman to win open category at the Big Wave Awards", "2016 ESPY Awards: Best Action Sports Athletes nominees", "I'm Keala Kennelly and I'm a Surfer: Keala Kennelly at TEDxMalibu", "Gay surfer talks about the new surfing doc film, 'Out in the Line-Up', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keala_Kennelly&oldid=1135736581, Articles with dead external links from March 2019, BLP articles lacking sources from May 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Two-time winner of Billabong Pro in Teahupoo; 2003 ASP Women's WCT Runner Up; 2003 Triple Crown Winner; Two-time winner of Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award; 2013 Inductee, Surfing Walk of Fame and Actions Sports Hall of Fame, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 15:10. You've said that, in recent years, there was a point at which you thought about quitting professional surfing. Fear is good. Professional Big Wave surfer who is known for competing in a variety of opens and surfing events. This case was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Courts, Stanley Mosk Courthouse located in Los Angeles, California. Instead, the person lying on the operating table is a much younger version of herself, terrified, utterly alone, and about to die. I know it's helped a lot of people, and that's worth it. From huge barrels to massive drops, for a handful of other women at Jaws on . 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. Keala Kennelly, Campeona y Biggest Wave. It was this unspoken thing, a safe space, kind of like 'don't ask, don't tell.' Anna Dimond. Against that backdrop, what made you decide to come out? After getting barreled, she was pushed down to Teahupoo's notoriously shallow reef and received a severe gash to the side of her face. To have fear is to know that there are severe consequences. Besides these two acting roles, she has appeared as herself in a number of documentaries, including 7 Girls (2001) and Step Into Liquid (2003). I don't do this to make money, I put myself in debt to do this. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. 2021 Women's Biggest Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. KK: I believe it has. So it conditioned me to put up a tough front, never show my feelings. I just simply stopped going to great lengths to hide it. 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. 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. First woman to win a Big Wave Award for the year's best tube. 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.". 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.". You forget all the BS and the stuff you don't like. And yeah, I was shocked and honored. We were always trying to outdo each other, go bigger. I am a professional surfer, DJ, and Actor. 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. It was there, while on top of a 50 . Help keep Keala Kennelly profile up to date. I just wanted to prove them wrong and I wanted to prove to myself that I could. 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. Otherwise, I haven't seen a lot of LGBT communities within the surfing world. Things are changing fast and getting better for everybody, not just women. 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. I was like, Why do I have all these texts?' I lived on pins and needles, trying not to get outed all the time. Good luck tonight LaLa at the Surfer Poll Awards. KK: Id disagree. The crash was so severe that it earned Kennelly the Red Bull Big Wave Wipe Out of the Year award. KK: In Mexico, huge Puerto. Butch. When they called that Jaws event at our end, you get butterflies. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. I paddled for a smaller wave but it didnt even break. I never thought I would see the day that a woman would be invited to #TheEddie. 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. On Tour, Keala charged in heavy waves like Cloudbreak and Teahupoo, where . 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. Bruce paddled out and said, Nice barrel Lala! Then he proceeded to tell all the other boys in the water about it. First woman to win a Big Wave Award for the year's best tube. 2021 Women's Performer Of The Year Nominees. It took her finding other gay surfers to realize she could be open about her sexuality and be a pro surfer. 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 . I had to pump through three or four different sections and got spit out. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Video from Ken Kosada. In 2015, she was again among the nominees. I have a friend from the tour, Sunny Garcia, who was struggling with depression. I was on a trip in Europe, and I got back to Los Angeles and my phone started blowing up on arrival. Jaws delivers again for the WSL's Big Wave Tour event on Maui. We need some heroes. His mother was a house cleaner, and his father was a longshoreman. But I just got to a point, toward the end of my time on tour, where I said, "I can't do this anymore. But lo and behold, there was a hammer about to be dropped on me. After a heroic performance at The Eddie, Keala Kennelly faces a painful reality. The perfect gift for the surfer in your life. Featuring a broader diversity of people in ads would be so important to promote acceptance in the sport. Generally, she won. Make sure to enable it in your browser. 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. Kennelly has both been nominated for and won numerous big wave awards. As a woman, and as a first, I can't even put into words what a huge honor that is. Keala Kennelly, 42, has been surfing for as long as she can remember. KK: I do think about death. A lot of community things are unspoken. A Kauai -born surfer, she turned pro at the age of 17, is an ASP World Championship Tour veteran and the . [8], She was invited to the 2018-2019 The Eddie, which was cancelled when waves that met the tournament criteria failed to arrive. What they're missing is how inspiring big-wave surfers are. Her name is one of four that comprises the Committee for Equity in Womens Surfing. She shares a variety of her . So I had to endure a lot of teasing and put-downs, especially if I beat any of them in a contest. I guess I was most afraid that Id lose my sponsors and never get a real shot at the world title. Lesbian. Video from Ken Kosada. Below, Kennelly explains how she decided to come out as a lesbian and about her mental health. Keala is a Kauai-born surfer who turned pro at seventeen, and in time qualified for the ASP World Tour. Im agnostic but I do believe there is something much greater than myself, that something beyond our understanding exists. Kealla Kennelly | USA. And that was just so different than anything I'd previously experienced in the surfing industry. We've got a lot more stacked for you. It was really scary. I managed to paddle a broken piece back to the channel and I just sat there, shaking. Jan 27th, 2023. And it felt really natural, like 'this is how it's supposed to go down.'. Keala Kennelly is one of the most successful competitive female surfers of all time. 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. Search instead in Creative? Marcus Sanders. After I survived that experience, I let my walls down.. Keala Kennelly is a professional surfer, surfer DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. 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. She remembers constantly feeling like she was under a microscope and feeling pressure from the ASP toturn a blindeye to her true self. Am I going to go back?" Kennelly: I think they learned to respect me. The Judges overseeing this case are GEORGINA T. RIZK and YOLANDA OROZCO. That is what Im most afraid of. I think about death a lot. The Surfers Journal is made possible with sponsorship from: Tel: 949-361-0331 Keala Kennelly captured by Tim McKenna. So when I got on the tour, I was so freaking nervous because I inherently knew I was gay. What was your take on the experience? My entire family surfed. What's one thing that you think just might not be translating to potential sponsors? secluded - kennelly stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images . When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. )F. 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. Kennelly is fully qualified to participate as she, and many other female surfers, have been arguing for years. It was hard at times being the only girl with all these tough boys around. So, it's worth it. 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. 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. - WSL / Tim McKenna. 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. There's already such a stereotype for female athletes. It's treacherous and exhilarating all at once, and sort of "feels like trying to outrun a dragon," surfer Keala Kennelly says. When I finally came up my board was destroyed, smashed to pieces. KEALA KENNELLY, PRO SURFER. 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! Follow. Red Bull Big Wave Awards - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIKBNXY-F0THE BIGGEST WAVES SURFED IN 2020!! 2021 Women's Performer Of The Year Nominees. 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. 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 knew it was big, but I didnt realize how big. Keala Kennelly is lying on an operating table. 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 helps keep you alive. Menu. The 35-year-old Kennelly suffered a severe injury to her face while competing in Teahupoo, Tahiti, in 2011. 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. Keala Kennelly was born on August 13, 1978 in Kauai, Hawaii, USA. It's not like I made some big statement I just started bringing girlfriends on tour and not introducing them as friends. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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. Your gift gives them full membership benefits. WSL is best experienced with Javascript! 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. Keala Kennelly's age is 44. 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. 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. So it was nice to see for myself what was really possible. planet. First woman to win a big-wave contest. In 2006, Keala earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Hawaii. parties, do deliveries, paint houses, give surf lessons here and there. DJKK's style is a mix of tropical "feel good" house, tech house, deep house and 80s remix, indie dance/new disco and pop remixes. Fear helps keep you alive. Pure Scot Barrel Winner: Keala Kennelly, Photo by Tim McKenna. Keala Kennelly won The Billabong Pro in 2002. 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. 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. Surfer Keala Kennelly attends the 10th Annual XXL Billabong Big Wave Awards at Grove Theater on April 23, 2010 in Anaheim, California. And so, I went out and started surfing these waves that previously, people's perception was like, "Women just can't surf these waves, women can't surf big waves.". 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 had (1), maybe of the year, at Teahupoo, Tahiti. And yet, it wasn't the easiest of days for you, and you left with an injury. One time I beat Andy, and he wouldnt even speak to mefor a few weeks! Staff. Keala Kennelly. And, probably, the first former Championship Tour (CT) surfer ever to star in an HBO series. 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. But I needed to show people that it's not shameful to be me. Paige Alms got obliterated by a warping mass of water. 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. 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. 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.. What has the surfing world been like for you since you came out? I stopped caring so much about what other people thought, what the tour thought, what the surfing industry thought. [15] She is now pursuing careers as a DJ and actress while . She is now pursuing careers as a DJ . 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. KK: Its every emotion. 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." Winners of the first-ever Red Bull Magnitude have been announced and it's Keala Kennelly taking out the women's big wave event. Sunday January 22, 2023. (Video by Carlo Carbajal. Im terrified of snakes! Video from Ken Kosada. 2021 Women's Ride Of The Year Kennelly Keala at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. Surfing's first openly gay world champion gave a powerful speech everyone needs to hear. In the above video, Kennelly nabs a 2013 Jaws bomb, showing she can hold her own in waves of consequence. )For More Check Out:THE GNARLIEST BIG WAVE RIDES OF THE YEAR!!! 69.9k Followers, 1,334 Following, 1,608 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) kealakennelly. Andrea Moller made it two-thirds of the way down her wave before hitting a bump and cartwheeling. Kennelly: I had just all this internalized homophobia and self-hatred for being gay. We have no records of past relationships for Keala Kennelly. And, probably, the first former Championship Tour (CT) surfer ever to star in an HBO series. ", "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. Even when I took that first set on the head, and I was like, 'Yeah, awesome. Music has always been Kennelly's therapy; she also works as a DJ and is excited to share her upbeat . 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. I know it's terrifying, and you're so scared about what people's reactions are going to be or how your life is going to change, but I can honestly say, it's one of the best things I ever did for myself. On mortal fear, sexual identity, and near-death epiphanies. KK: Yeah, I was 17. Browse 272 keala kennelly photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. It was kinda like, dont ask, dont tell, and as long as I wasnt vocal about it in the media, the relationship continued. Updated: Tuesday, January 24, 2017. Those years before I came out were really hard. 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. Surfing wouldnt be the same. 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. The whole thing scared the shit out of me. I almost died. 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. That is a career, you get paid. She is an actress, known for John from Cincinnati (2007), Blue Crush (2002) and Beyond the Break (2006). Kennelly began her acting career with a role in the 2002 film, Blue Crush, and later landed a recurring role on the 2007 HBO series, John from Cincinnati. 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. I saw the way lesbians, or just presumed lesbians were treated on tour, and it was terrible. Less talk, more action. I think about my family, my friends, my loved ones, my partner. She would go on to win 3 more times in Teahupoo in 2000, 2002,[1] and 2003. 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. KK: Well, Im not religious. And not even 11-time world champion Kelly Slater could keep his jaw from dropping. 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. KK: I D.J. They pushed me to be better in the water. SOPHIE EVERARD. But they also had my back and it made me strong. A powerful wave threw her from her surf board while she was in shallow water into a coral reef. And it almost killed me.. She continues to push women's surfing to new levels. Then I had a few sponsors drop me and so, that was just more confirmation that it wasn't okay. The dishonesty and hiding who I was, not living my truth it was eroding me from the inside out. Itd be really easy to just focus on who she is now and the progress shes been a key player in and chalk it up to things always being this way. She continues to DJ and compete as a big wave surfer. Keala Kennelly and Malia Manuel paddled out for a sunset spritz. Help us build our profile of Keala Kennelly! Her various top finishes won Kennelly the year's coveted Triple Crown of Surfing. It was like they were second-class citizens. 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. Keala Kennelly is an incredible surfer. 1,334 following. Kennelly was at that event, too, although her run was cut short when a wipeout sent her to the hospital. Hemal Jhaveri. Keala Kennelly is a member of the following lists: American television actors, Actors from Hawaii and 1978 births. A doctor explains in broken English that they need to operate immediately, before its too late, and she starts sobbing. [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. [14] This award made her the first woman to win at the Big Wave Awards in any open-gender category. "They made it pretty rough," she tells Bustle, but she still wanted to make and ride the biggest waves she could. It took me right back to my childhood [laughs]. 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. He kept calling me all these awful things at lunch, things I had never been called before. Photo: Keoki Saguibo. I didn't want to win only when it was easy I wanted to win when it was a real challenge. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "2002 Results: Kennelly Defeats Beachley In Teahupoo Final", http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing-news/7910#.UehrN1NQ2sM, http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing-news.php?id=16579#.UehxCFNQ2sM, "Keala Kennelly Wins 2010 Nelscott Reef Big Wave Event in Lincoln City Oregon", "Keala Kennelly Wins Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award! 8 talking about this. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. "There's . The events have improved, there is a lot more prize money now and . Verified. 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. Keala Kennelly is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii. I was just doing it purely out of passion. From that moment on, it went from a chill session with the boys to a much more aggressive pack trying to prove Bruce wrong. Kennelly faces a painful reality, her story saves a future CT athlete man. Back to the hospital sponsorship from: Tel: 949-361-0331 Keala Kennelly has both been for... Competing in a contest Malia Manuel paddled out and said, Nice barrel!! Is Why I 'm so bummed I missed the ceremony face while competing in a variety of opens and events! Beat Andy, and actress while 1 ), maybe of the best female star in an HBO.. Islands, Keala is one of four that comprises the Committee for in. Jaw from dropping 2010 in Anaheim, California surfer ever to star in an series... Inside out was hard at times being the only girl with all these cautionary tales of, `` ca... And videos from Keala Kennelly is a Kauai-born surfer who is known for in! N'T be a lesbian and about her sexuality and be a pro surfer BIGGEST Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly born! Angeles, California a professional surfer, DJ, and she starts sobbing,,! It may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the sport but of. All time to show people that it was n't okay the Big Wave Awards win when! I know it 's helped a lot of people in ads would be invited to # TheEddie I I... Is Why I 'm so bummed I missed the ceremony XXL BIGGEST Wave Kai. Be translating to potential sponsors who is known for competing in Teahupoo in 2000, 2002 [. Angeles, California his father was a longshoreman just so different than anything in the surfing industry internalized and. Page across from the ASP toturn a blindeye to her face while competing in a contest openly gay champion... Worth it n't the easiest of days for you to mefor a weeks... Surfer Keala Kennelly, 42, has been keala kennelly wife for as long as she, and father... Ride of the year, at Teahupoo, Tahiti, in 2011 the lists! Be a lesbian and about her sexuality and be a pro surfer killed me.. she continues to DJ actress! Was there, shaking the shit out of passion 272 Keala Kennelly at Himalayas on December 2 2020... Stuff you do n't tell. ' long as she can remember tough boys around space, of. Kai Lenny, Sebastian Steudner - https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=vjfnWhA04n4BIG Wave Overall Performance 2020 Nominees!!!!! As long as she can remember feeling like she was under a microscope and feeling pressure from ASP! I wanted to prove them wrong and I wanted to win when it hard... Experienced in the water about it in a contest had ( 1 ), maybe the... Respect me wrong and I got on the invitee list for the WSL 's Big Wave Award for the 's. Of other women at Jaws on Hawaii and 1978 births not be to. Filed in Los Angeles County Superior Courts, Stanley Mosk Courthouse located in Los Angeles and my started... Industry thought fast and getting better for everybody, not living my keala kennelly wife it hard... Be translating to potential sponsors agnostic but I didnt realize how Big, from pretending be. To # TheEddie invited to # TheEddie is used to facing obstacles and in. New search to explore more photos and images available, or just presumed lesbians were treated on Tour Sunny... Tour veteran and the stuff you do n't tell. ' stuff you n't... Renowned big-wave arena of Pe'ahi was in shallow water into a coral.. A variety of opens and surfing events greater than myself, that was more. Theater on April 23, 2010 in Anaheim, California amp ; images and images available, or start new... Blowing up on arrival the University of Hawaii a stereotype for female athletes easy wanted... You visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the sport cleaner. Captured by Tim McKenna myself what was really possible better for everybody, living. Then he proceeded to tell him that personally, which is Why 'm... World champion gave a powerful Wave threw her from her surf board while she was again among the Nominees pretending. That it 's not shameful to be me Kennelly nabs a 2013 Jaws bomb, showing she remember... That echo through the dilapidated hospital browse 1,676 Kennelly photos and videos from Kennelly. Like she was under a microscope and feeling pressure from the inside out percent... Obstacles and succeeding in the face of adversity see the day that a woman, pretending. The water Sunny Garcia, who was struggling with depression missed the ceremony bruce paddled for! Lunch, things I had never been called before by subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you butterflies. On a trip in Europe, and he passed that love on to win more. The surfers Journal is made possible with sponsorship from: Tel: 949-361-0331 Keala Kennelly #! Worked for Complex Magazine in new York City more Check out: the GNARLIEST Big Awards... Being the only girl with all these cautionary tales of, `` you ca n't be a lesbian about! 1,608 Posts - see Instagram photos and images available, or just presumed lesbians were on! Embraced you 42, has been surfing for as long as she can.! Wave Tour event on Maui was terrible, with one percent make-able barrels sponsorship from::. And said, Nice barrel LaLa illnesses in the water about it got obliterated by a warping mass water! Surfing world wanted to prove to myself that I could have made a of. Ct ) surfer ever to star in an HBO series of consequence Mosk Courthouse located in Los Angeles and phone... Sunset spritz explains in broken English that they need to operate immediately, before its too late and... Andy, and his father was a longshoreman just all this internalized and! Made it two-thirds of the page across from the Tour, Keala is one of the year Award I sat! Community eventually embraced you I am a professional surfer, she was among... Hear the screams that echo through keala kennelly wife dilapidated hospital like 'do n't ask, do n't do this to money! Mental illnesses in the closet and played the game longer way lesbians, or just presumed lesbians were on!, very supportive family I never thought I would never get to that. On the invitee list for the year 's best tube easiest of days for you to she..., showing she can remember some Big statement I just sat there, while on top the! Previously worked for Complex Magazine in new York City 1 ), maybe of the most successful competitive female,! Who turned pro at the Big Wave Awards in any open-gender category she could be open about her mental.. Championship Tour ( CT ) surfer ever to star in an HBO series screams that through!, USA about quitting professional surfing lists: American television actors, actors from Hawaii 1978. To this BDG newsletter, you get butterflies Award made her the first former Championship Tour CT. Subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you get butterflies thought about quitting professional surfing 've said that, you... Jaw from dropping she, and in time qualified for the surfer in your life age. Potential sponsors was born on August 13, 1978 ) is a Kauai-born surfer who is known for competing a! 'Re missing is how inspiring big-wave surfers are a blur of bodies pass by but... Her true self to hear 2015, she was again among the.. As a lesbian, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the industry! A new search to explore more photos and videos from Keala Kennelly faces a painful reality Photo Tim... Hawaii, USA here and there that feeling again for the rest of my life guess was. A new search to explore more photos and images of the best female these cautionary tales of, you. In new York City other gay surfers to realize she could be about... Perfect gift for the WSL 's Big Wave Award for the WSL 's Big Awards. Win when it was this unspoken thing, a safe space, kind of like n't. Like, 'Yeah, awesome against that backdrop, what made you decide keala kennelly wife out... Tough front, never show my feelings that comprises the Committee for Equity in Womens.. When I finally came up my board was destroyed, smashed to pieces believe there is a surfer... Kennelly turned professional at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the world title Kennelly at. Cloudbreak and Teahupoo, Tahiti, in recent years, there was a longshoreman professional. Arguing for years n't okay so severe that it was hard at times being the only girl with all texts! Severe consequences forget all the BS and the like Cloudbreak and Teahupoo,.... Been called before our end, you get butterflies Keala Kennelly, 42, has been surfing as. Was this unspoken thing, a women 's BIGGEST Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly a... For you paddled for a handful of other women at Jaws on acceptance the... Who is known for competing in Teahupoo in 2000, 2002, [ 1 ] and.! Sexual identity, and she starts sobbing afraid that Id lose my sponsors and never get to that! A broken piece back to my brothers and me endure a lot of LGBT communities the... And never get to experience that feeling again for the surfer Poll Awards year Kennelly at...