Keala Kennelly
Without a doubt one of the leaders in women's big wave surfing, Keala Kennelly has been around and charging forever. She had her stint on the Championship Tour, but after a fairly short run she realized that he was way more excited about paddling out and charging when the waves were of serious consequence.
She is known as the first woman to surf Teahupo'o and she also chose to surf it when it was maxing, death slabs. Her horrific injury on the reef there is testament to her fearless approach. She has been in the mix for the WSL Big Wave Awards before, as she obviously knows her way around the big waves of Hawaii, and recently she has shown absolute grace combined with a very serious approach to catching and getting down a few Pe'ahi beasts. She goes harder than a lot of men.
Keala is a popular female surfer that holds her ground when it gets busy, or tense in the water. She would come into the Women's Performance Awards with a very good chance of a podium finish. Her bomb at Jaws was a combination of determination and experience, and she makes it all the way down until she gets blasted from behind.
Women's Performance Awards Nominee - Keala Kennelly
WSL
Keala Kennelly Without a doubt one of the leaders in women's big wave surfing, Keala Kennelly has been around and charging forever. She had her stint on the Championship Tour, but after a fairly short run she realized that he was way more excited about paddling out and charging when the waves were of serious consequence.
She is known as the first woman to surf Teahupo'o and she also chose to surf it when it was maxing, death slabs. Her horrific injury on the reef there is testament to her fearless approach. She has been in the mix for the WSL Big Wave Awards before, as she obviously knows her way around the big waves of Hawaii, and recently she has shown absolute grace combined with a very serious approach to catching and getting down a few Pe'ahi beasts. She goes harder than a lot of men.
Keala is a popular female surfer that holds her ground when it gets busy, or tense in the water. She would come into the Women's Performance Awards with a very good chance of a podium finish. Her bomb at Jaws was a combination of determination and experience, and she makes it all the way down until she gets blasted from behind.
Keala Kennelly
"I hated myself because I didn't think you could be World Champion and gay at the same time. I needed to dream bigger."
The Jaws crew breaks down the unforgettable northwest swell that hammered Pe'ahi.
The 2018 Jaws Champion talks about fully committing to big wave drop-ins at Pe'ahi.
Kennelly secures first win in maxed out Pe'ahi, men's comp runs only one heat.
Ridden at Pe'ahi (Jaws) on Maui, Hawaii on January 17, 2010. Video by Elliot Leboe.
Hawaii/Tahiti Nui
2019 Women's Biggest Wave Nominee: Nicole Pacelli at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 12, 2019.
Biggest Paddle Award Nominee Billy Kemper at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 26, 2018. Photos by Erik Aeder, Martin Caprile, Ryan Craig,
Biggest Paddle Award Nominee Grant Baker at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 26, 2018. Photos by Adam Carbajal, Dooma Photos, Robin Ernst,
2019 XXL Biggest Wave Nominee: Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on November 26, 2019. Photos by Martin Caprile, Mike Coots, Ryan Craig, Robin
2019 Biggest Wave Nominee Carlos Burle at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 26, 2018. Photos by Martin Caprile, Adam Carbajal, Dooma and Aaron