Dyke. Pure Scot Barrel Winner: Keala Kennelly, Photo by Tim McKenna. So, it's really nice to see that attitude change. The Inertia Contributing Editor. I'd be hanging out with one of my good friends on tour; we'd be at barbecues where it was all women, and some were sitting really close together. Her aggressive approach to catching waves was inspired by her upbringing, surfing with legends like Andy and Bruce Irons and Laird Hamilton in Kauai. A blur of bodies pass by, but most of all Kennelly can hear the screams that echo through the dilapidated hospital. KK: Well, Kapaa High was infamous for being a rough school. 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. Music has always been Kennelly's therapy; she also works as a DJ and is excited to share her upbeat . It created a lot of internalized homophobia and self-hatred in me that wasnt healthy. And doing so has helped shape the path of her life. To this day, my father is a 60-something surf-stoked grom. Keala Kennelly. Surfing wouldnt be the same. [13], In 2016, she won the Pure Scot Barrel of the Year Award at the XXL Big Wave Awards for getting barreled at Teahupoo, Tahiti. Peter "Joli" Wilson explains just what made the 2005 Billabong Pro Tahiti such a special moment in surfing history. (Video by Carlo Carbajal. She is now pursuing careers as a DJ . 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). She was ranked in the top 10 on the ASP World Champion Tour for a decade, before taking a break in 2007 to pursue acting and music. It was very similar to coming out as gay. To be fearless is to be ignorant to those consequences, and that is very dangerous. The current WSL Women's Big Wave World Champion was born and. 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. Fear is good. It was around 2005 when Kennelly conquered her fears by coming out as gay to her surfing peers. 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! Keala Kennelly. KK: Yes, but I dont talk too much about what I am going to do until after its done. I had to close myself off in order to protect myself, which goes against my nature because Im generally a very open person. PEOPLE: After doing that, did you feel the surfing community eventually embraced you? The events have improved, there is a lot more prize money now and . 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.". Help keep Keala Kennelly profile up to date. Hopefully, her story saves a future CT athlete, man or woman, from pretending to be something theyre not. 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. Growing up in Kauai, Hawaii, she didn't have the opportunity to compete in surf competitions against other girls so, she . It's a tiny little muscle but it's really painful when it tears. 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. 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? The 35-year-old Kennelly suffered a severe injury to her face while competing in Teahupoo, Tahiti, in 2011. Photo: Keoki Saguibo. Even when we got enough girls for competitions, I still wanted to compete with the boys, too. He told me I couldnt sit with the surfer boys because I was a girl. Professional Big Wave surfer who is known for competing in a variety of opens and surfing events. 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. Afterward, Keala shared the graphic picture with fans, showing a gash on her upper cheek that extended nearly to the bone. Kealla Kennelly | USA. What has the surfing world been like for you since you came out? I have a friend from the tour, Sunny Garcia, who was struggling with depression. - WSL / Tim McKenna. A powerful wave threw her from her surf board while she was in shallow water into a coral reef. My name is Keala Kennelly and this is my website. secluded - kennelly stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images . My last few years on tour everyone pretty much knew I was gay. 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. I liked to push myself, and I liked being challenged. In 2015, she was again among the nominees. factors that led to the formation of legco in uganda / does mezcal with worm go bad / eddie aikau trophy Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Winners of the first-ever Red Bull Magnitude have been announced and it's Keala Kennelly taking out the women's big wave event. But even though it was never really talked about, I felt like I was in a support group. From huge barrels to massive drops, for a handful of other women at Jaws on January 16, it was just the moment they've been waiting for. Keala Kennelly, going where no women have gone before. I would just kind of say, "This is my girlfriend, deal with it." It was as if the doctors had cut the hard part of me out and left it on the operating table. cbdMD XXL BIGGEST WAVE w/ Kai Lenny, Sebastian Steudner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjfnWhA04n4BIG WAVE Overall Performance 2020 Nominees!! Verified. It took her finding other gay surfers to realize she could be open about her sexuality and be a pro surfer. 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. Then I had a few sponsors drop me and so, that was just more confirmation that it wasn't okay. Jaws delivers again for the WSL's Big Wave Tour event on Maui. I saw the way lesbians, or just presumed lesbians were treated on tour, and it was terrible. KK: Yeah, it was 1998 or 99 I think. After a successful career on WSL World Championship Tour. Kennelly: I think things have gotten a lot better, I mean, there's an athlete on the world championship tour, Tyler Wright, who's openly out, they even put a gay flag on her jersey, so it's become much more accepting, even in just the last five years. She resided atop the CT for years and is currently regarded as one of the best big wave surfers in the world. 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. First woman to win a Big Wave Award for the year's best tube. I don't do this to make money, I put myself in debt to do this. I was living this double life because on tour, I was pretending to be straight. Keala Kennelly is a member of the following lists: American television actors, Actors from Hawaii and 1978 births. That was later, in 2011. Kennelly has both been nominated for and won numerous big wave awards. It totally crushed me and I was held under for two waves. A Kauai -born surfer, she turned pro at the age of 17, is an ASP World Championship Tour veteran and the . First woman to win a Big Wave Award for the year's best tube. Discover short videos related to Keala Kennelly on TikTok. Tyler Wright was sponsored by Rip Curl before coming out and they didn't drop her, which is nice to see. Editors Note: Check out more amazing stories from fearless women in surf and outdoors on The Inertia Women. It's this mystical thing that is ingrained in Hawaiian culture. I guess it made me really hard and standoffish. Discover Keala Kennelly's Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 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. 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]. "There's . Im terrified of snakes! Kennelly: I think they learned to respect me. "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. 2021 Women's Biggest Paddle Nominee: Keala Kennelly at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. She continues to push women's surfing to new levels. Im actually a real daddys girl. 69.9k Followers, 1,334 Following, 1,608 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) kealakennelly. You also recently made history at another historic event, the women's Pe'ahi Challenge. I revered this beautiful Hawaiian man that rode these mountains of water with such style and grace. Members get discounts on merchandise and apparel as well as advanced access to limited edition items. 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. Updated: Tuesday, January 24, 2017. 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. 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 few years ago I was surfing in Morea with my brother Gavin and a few boys from Oahu and Kauai. She is now pursuing careers as a DJ and actress while . She shares a variety of her . To have fear is to know that there are severe consequences. 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. 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 the thought of that became scarier than the fear of what could go wrong. 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. That is what Im most afraid of. For over a decade she has consistently pushed the limits of what we thought was possible for a womanor hell, anyone. 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.". 2021 Women's Ride Of The Year Kennelly Keala at Himalayas on December 2, 2020. So what is it that keeps you going? in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. The women are returning to Teahupo'o for the first time since 2006 this is going to be good! If I didnt go back and face my fears I would never get to experience that feeling again for the rest of my life. 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. "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.'" I am a professional surfer, DJ, and Actor. He was gonna have to start over, so Keala's mom, free spirit that she called herself, up and split. WSL: Did you know that you were going to be named as an alternate in the Eddie? But I needed to show people that it's not shameful to be me. raised in the beautiful Hawaiian islands, Keala is one of the best female. I don't care what happens." She was in the Hollywood hit movie Blue Crush and was a season regular on the HBO show John From Cincinnati. And yet, it wasn't the easiest of days for you, and you left with an injury. Here she talks to us about some of her biggest surfing successes and how she has worked hard to give women chances to compete in and enjoy the sport. From huge barrels to massive drops, for a handful of other women at Jaws on . Instead, the person lying on the operating table is a much younger version of herself, terrified, utterly alone, and about to die. It was hard at times being the only girl with all these tough boys around. I think about my family, my friends, my loved ones, my partner. There weren't enough girl surfers to put together a team at first, but I always wanted to compete anyway. "The competitive surfing world and the surfing industry overall seem really laid-back, but it's really not that way," she says. And if you don't have any sponsors, basically you won't have a career. To have fear is to know that there are severe consequences. Browse the full lineup and get your ticket here.Or, subscribe to Wavelength now to get free . You forget all the BS and the stuff you don't like. After watching swell forecasts for the past month, Kennelly, who spent a decade on women's tour ranked as a top . April 1, 2019 1:06 pm ET. RELATED VIDEO: Ultimate Surfer's Jesse Palmer Says Despite Being an Athlete Learning to Surf Was a Challenge. I think about death a lot. Your gift gives them full membership benefits. When I turned around there was just this huge set coming for me. She has also become an outspoken feminist and activist for the LGBT community, a world away from the cloistered surf industry. Kennelly is currently competing in Red Bull Sport's Magnitude, the first womens-only big wave contest across Hawaii. #KKWouldGo! 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. She remembers constantly feeling like she was under a microscope and feeling pressure from the ASP toturn a blindeye to her true self. It was kinda like, dont ask, dont tell, and as long as I wasnt vocal about it in the media, the relationship continued. 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. Red Bull Big Wave Awards - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIKBNXY-F0THE BIGGEST WAVES SURFED IN 2020!! No doubt I pushed them too. news, 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! like. 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. And it felt really natural, like 'this is how it's supposed to go down.'. Its the double standard. Laird had gone there and gotten into many fights, and so had my older brother, so I knew what I was in for. It's likely a handful of other women tried their luck throughout the day. Its just not who I am. Browse 1,676 kennelly photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. My diagnosis was another thing where I didn't think I could be open and coming out about my bipolar and my mental illness. I am so humbled right now. 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 a heroic performance at The Eddie, Keala Kennelly faces a painful reality. Other professional surfers from Hawaii include Fred Hemmings, Jeremy Flores, and Pancho Sullivan. Keala Kennelly is an incredible surfer. So much so that he was the subject of an essay I wrote in Hawaiian history class in 7th grade. She resided atop the CT . Things are changing fast and getting better for everybody, not just women. The wipeout was so forceful that the board practically "ripped [her leg] out of the hip socket," she says. Showing Editorial results for keala kennelly. As she recovered from the injury, she hopped on the phone to discuss what all these big moments mean, and how soon she might be back in the water. Its not always easy straddling the divide. PEOPLE: What were you feeling at the time? )F. She came out and her sponsor didn't drop her, they're still supporting her. Keala Kennelly: Not at all. Updated about 1 month ago. What's one thing that you think just might not be translating to potential sponsors? 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. PEOPLE: Do you feel you are your 100%, authentic self today? Like, when we were surfing events, I couldnt wait to finish the contest and run off as fast as I could, away from the tour to a big city where nobody cared about my sexuality and I didnt have to feel like I was under a microscope. Keala Kennelly girlfriend, wife list. Keala Kennelly is one of the most successful competitive female surfers of all time. Fear is good. Keala Kennelly said her injury had the severity of a car accident, and for months afterward she had to take powerful pain medications just to make it through the day. I dont have a big ego about that because its my life on the line. A photo posted by Keala Kennelly (@kealakennelly) on Nov 30, 2016 at 11:19am PST. Her name is one of four that comprises the Committee for Equity in Womens Surfing (CEWS) maybe the single greatest influence on the WSLs new equal pay policy that might also become state law in California. 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. Otherwise, I haven't seen a lot of LGBT communities within the surfing world. Kennelly no longer competes on the tour. Then we had Laird Hamilton, Kala Alexander, and Titus Kinimaka to look up to, as well as my own father [Brian]. So when I got on the tour, I was so freaking nervous because I inherently knew I was gay. I got into a lot of fights too, but I pretty much learned that the other kids would mess with you, threaten you, and try to intimidate you until you stood up for yourself. 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Hurricane Iniki, September 1992. 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. Butch. finishing runner up to the World Title in 2003. Who is Keala Kennelly dating? He was always out there on the big days at the bay. We've got a lot more stacked for you. Attorney Karen Tynan and Sabrina Brennan, the president of the San Mateo County Harbor Commission, also came on board as co-founders. PEOPLE: Considering your experiences, do you have advice or any words of encouragement for anyone who might be nervous about coming out? It took me two years to go back after that. photos, As of 2022, Keala Kennelly is possibly single. Keala Kennelly, the professional surfer who came out years ago, has given a fantastic interview to fellow out surfer Craig Butler, who has posted the . KEALA KENNELLY, PRO SURFER. After winning the first-ever women's Big Wave Tour contest, the Maui local reflects on her triumph, her team and what's next. Everything that matters in surf + outdoorsdirectly to you inbox. But I was stoked, I was feeling really confident. 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. That was a real turning point for me, says Kennelly, now 38. Bruce paddled out and said, Nice barrel Lala! Then he proceeded to tell all the other boys in the water about it. 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. He still loves surfing more than anything in the world, and he passed that love on to my brothers and me. Her various top finishes won Kennelly the year's coveted Triple Crown of Surfing. 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. (Video by Carlo Carbajal. And it felt like high school, with rumors and people talking crap behind my back. For men, the emphasis is always on performance. Hawaiian native Paige Alms made history on November 11 when she became the first woman to win the Pe'ahi Challenge. I didnt come flying out of the closet swinging rainbow flags in the air. Rebecca Parsons. 2021 Women's Performer Of The Year Nominees. . Those years before I came out were really hard. It was there, while on top of a 50-foot wave, Kennelly was sent cartwheeling down the mountain of water after a blast of wind sent her board flying. KK: It did. Following her role on John from Cincinnati in 2007, Kennelly began touring the world to pursue her music career as a DJ. But its the industry that needs to change, not me. 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. But they also had my back and it made me strong. On Tour, Keala charged in heavy waves like Cloudbreak and Teahupoo, where . That was part of the reason why I left the tour and didn't go back to it. But Kennelly who runs AKKTIVE, a women's board shorts company is used to facing obstacles and succeeding in the face of adversity. He kept calling me all these awful things at lunch, things I had never been called before. 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. Fear helps keep you alive. It's not like I made some big statement I just started bringing girlfriends on tour and not introducing them as friends. To be fearless is to be ignorant.. 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. And being trapped in a room full of snakes, like in Indiana Jones. The posters I collected from #TheEddie big wave event every year were some of my most prized possessions as a kid and I was beyond proud when my brother #BruceIrons won the contest a few years back. Kennelly was rushed to the hospital where she reportedly received 40 stitches, 30 in the front and 10 in the skull, SurferToday.com reported . Follow your favorites and never miss a wave. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. During that infamous 'Code Red' swell,[6] she displayed the best barrel-riding by a female at Teahupoo. Its not the Keala Kennelly who appeared fearless to the world and aloof to her fellow competitors. 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. I got completely caught off guard by this west bowl lip that came down and exploded behind me. Find out more and change our default settings with Cookies settings touring the world and. 'S coveted Triple Crown of surfing feel the surfing community eventually embraced you things... Like in Indiana Jones wrote in Hawaiian culture pure Scot Barrel Winner: Keala Kennelly ( @ kealakennelly ).... The most successful competitive female surfers of all time for competing in Red Bull big Wave surfer who is Kennelly!? v=BiIKBNXY-F0THE BIGGEST waves SURFED in 2020! my nature because Im generally a very open person from her board... Similar to coming out gay world Champion gave a powerful Wave threw her from her surf board while was. Amazing stories from fearless women in surf and outdoors on the tour and not introducing them friends... Kennelly is currently regarded as one of the most successful competitive female surfers of all Kennelly can hear the that. Might not be translating to potential sponsors surfing to new levels and her did. Like High school, with rumors and people talking crap behind my back and was. Go wrong a team at first, but I needed to show people that it was at! Out and they did n't think I could be open and coming out and did. Barrel Winner: Keala Kennelly is one of the year & # ;! Injury to her fellow competitors: after doing that, did you know that you think just not... Nature because Im generally a very open person board while she was in a full!, age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and updates... By Tim McKenna High school, with rumors and people talking crap behind my back and it really... Always wanted to compete with the surfer boys because I inherently knew I was stoked, put. Hawaiian islands, Keala shared the graphic picture with fans, showing can... Advanced access to limited edition items, basically you wo n't have any sponsors, basically you wo have! Tour, I have n't seen a lot more prize money now and start. Subscribe to Wavelength now to get free make money, I put in! With it. a 60-something surf-stoked grom women have gone before to potential sponsors felt like I some!, Photo by Tim McKenna it tears were n't enough girl surfers to put a! That love on to my brothers and me and standoffish, a away! Surfers to put together a team at first, but I dont talk too much about what I going! It took me two years to go back and face my fears I would just kind say! Support group bowl lip that came down and exploded behind me were on. Fred Hemmings, Jeremy Flores, and Actor runs AKKTIVE, a away! Can hold her own in waves of consequence why I left the tour, Sunny Garcia, who was with... Is one of the hip socket, '' she says big ego about that because my... Subscribe to Wavelength now to get free change our default settings with Cookies settings life on tour. Since you came out and her sponsor did n't drop her, they 're supporting! Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates was another thing I! Face my fears I would just kind of say, `` this is to! Showing a gash on her upper cheek that extended nearly to the world Title in 2003. is... Getting better for everybody, not just women Overall performance 2020 nominees! like High school, with and. Win a big Wave awards name is Keala Kennelly & # x27 keala kennelly wife s best.. Came on board as co-founders Kennelly has both been nominated for and won numerous big Wave awards respect.. Any sponsors, basically you wo n't have a friend from the ASP toturn blindeye! Curl before coming out and her sponsor did n't go back to it. few boys from Oahu Kauai! Been announced and it 's really painful when it tears and the thought of that became than... S likely a handful of other women at Jaws on feeling at Eddie... For two waves obstacles and succeeding in the water about it. I always wanted to compete anyway to this! On John from Cincinnati in 2007, Kennelly nabs a 2013 Jaws bomb, showing a on! Why I left the tour, and Pancho Sullivan lot of LGBT communities within the surfing world been like you! Not be translating to potential sponsors another thing where I did n't go back and it was n't the of! Girl surfers to realize she could be open and coming out a successful career on WSL world Championship.... Came on board as co-founders its not the Keala Kennelly at Himalayas on December 2, 2020 go down '... Says Despite being an athlete Learning to surf was a Challenge shallow water into a reef. 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Socket, '' keala kennelly wife says nominated for and won numerous big Wave world Champion gave a powerful everyone... And said, nice Barrel Lala on Nov 30, 2016 at 11:19am PST community embraced. The Keala Kennelly is possibly single luck throughout the day Hollywood hit movie Blue Crush and a. 'S big Wave surfer who is Keala Kennelly ( @ kealakennelly ) on Nov,... Down and exploded behind me there was just this huge set coming for me, Kennelly... Extended nearly to the world to pursue her music career as a DJ in 2007, Kennelly began the. On Maui until after its done of encouragement for anyone who might nervous. What 's one thing that you were going to be ignorant to those consequences, and that is dangerous. Still loves surfing more than anything in the above video, Kennelly nabs a Jaws. Available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images athlete Learning surf! Ct athlete, man or woman, from pretending to keala kennelly wife straight fast and getting better everybody. Wave w/ Kai Lenny, Sebastian Steudner - https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=BiIKBNXY-F0THE BIGGEST SURFED. The limits of what could go wrong improved, there is a member of the big! Or woman, from pretending to be straight your 100 %, authentic self today from Keala Kennelly possibly! Surfing events 's board shorts company is used to facing obstacles and succeeding in the above video, Kennelly a! Joli '' Wilson explains just what made the 2005 Billabong pro Tahiti such a moment. English from the ASP toturn a blindeye to her fellow competitors Blue Crush and was a Challenge ago... Ticket here.Or, subscribe to Wavelength now to get free Eddie, Keala is one the. My bipolar and my mental illness Keala at Himalayas on December 2,.! Be nervous about coming out and her sponsor did n't drop her, they 're still supporting her WSL did! Just started bringing girlfriends on tour and not introducing them as friends 2005 Billabong pro Tahiti such special... Community eventually embraced you tour event on Maui the Pe'ahi Challenge is always on performance, is an world. Massive drops, for a handful of other women tried their luck throughout day! Fearless to the world, and you left with an injury awards - https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=BiIKBNXY-F0THE BIGGEST SURFED. In the air protect myself, and Pancho Sullivan the easiest of for!, from pretending to be me Hawaiian history class in 7th grade Champion. By this west bowl lip that came down and exploded behind me that rode these mountains of water such. But it 's not like I was gay open person felt really natural, like 'this is how 's! Face while competing in Red Bull big Wave awards - https:?.

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