On Wednesday, the first episode of 'BILLY' will premiere at 9:00am PT and begin to tell the story of Billy Kemper and his journey from the heights of big wave surfing at the end of 2019 to a near career-ending injury in Morocco shortly after.
The six-part series features Kemper's long road to recovery and his drive to get back in the water after the severe, complicated and emotional injury that occurred after a ten-hour session during a dream trip to Morocco in early 2020.
As Hawaiian big wave surfer Billy Kemper fights to get back on the board after a life-threatening injury in Morocco, he confronts the personal losses that have both defined his life and motivated his immense success.
Narrated by Selema Masekela, 'BILLY' brings a unique perspective to the accomplishments of the four-time Jaws event winner, 2018 Big Wave World Champion and father of four from Maui now living on Oahu.
Pushing limits of what is humanly possible every time he paddles out, Kemper's focus is the pursuit of riding the biggest waves in the world and achieving the lofty goals he set for himself.
"This is a story of when what you love threatens to take you from who you love," Masekela explains.
Billy Kemper sits down to enjoy a meal with his family before leaving for Morocco. - WSL
Coming off of a monumental year in 2019, Kemper found himself at the high point of his already distinguished career after winning the cbdMD Jaws Big Wave Championships -- his fourth win at the venue -- bagging the wave of his life at Jaws, then following it up with a victory at the Sunset Open.
But that wasn't enough for Kemper, and he wanted to keep this incredible momentum rolling.
Keeping an eye on the swell charts, when things started popping in the Atlantic he called up fellow competitors and freesurfers Koa Smith and Luke Davis to see if they'd join him on a swell hunting expedition.
With the surf smashing into the North African coastline in February of 2020, the boys packed their bags and headed to Morocco.
"As far as the consequences, I don't think we really knew what could happen until this trip," Kemper explains.
During the first one of swell in Morocco, Billy Kemper, Koa Smith and Luke Davis scored some epic right-handed barrels. - WSL
Episode 1 features Smith, Davis and Mark Healey, along with their local guide Jerome Sahyoun, as the crew surfs an empty perfect barreling right, a step-filled slab and an inviting left as soon as they touch down in Morocco.
While the waves from the first swell were a nice introduction, a second, much larger swell started to form while they were still in Morocco, and the crew decided to stay for it to see what it offered ...
Watch Now: Billy: Chapter 1
"BILLY: Chapter 1" Now Live, See What The First Episode Has In Store
Cayla Moore
On Wednesday, the first episode of 'BILLY' will premiere at 9:00am PT and begin to tell the story of Billy Kemper and his journey from the heights of big wave surfing at the end of 2019 to a near career-ending injury in Morocco shortly after.
The six-part series features Kemper's long road to recovery and his drive to get back in the water after the severe, complicated and emotional injury that occurred after a ten-hour session during a dream trip to Morocco in early 2020.
Narrated by Selema Masekela, 'BILLY' brings a unique perspective to the accomplishments of the four-time Jaws event winner, 2018 Big Wave World Champion and father of four from Maui now living on Oahu.
Pushing limits of what is humanly possible every time he paddles out, Kemper's focus is the pursuit of riding the biggest waves in the world and achieving the lofty goals he set for himself.
"This is a story of when what you love threatens to take you from who you love," Masekela explains.
Billy Kemper sits down to enjoy a meal with his family before leaving for Morocco. - WSLComing off of a monumental year in 2019, Kemper found himself at the high point of his already distinguished career after winning the cbdMD Jaws Big Wave Championships -- his fourth win at the venue -- bagging the wave of his life at Jaws, then following it up with a victory at the Sunset Open.
But that wasn't enough for Kemper, and he wanted to keep this incredible momentum rolling.
Keeping an eye on the swell charts, when things started popping in the Atlantic he called up fellow competitors and freesurfers Koa Smith and Luke Davis to see if they'd join him on a swell hunting expedition.
With the surf smashing into the North African coastline in February of 2020, the boys packed their bags and headed to Morocco.
"As far as the consequences, I don't think we really knew what could happen until this trip," Kemper explains.
During the first one of swell in Morocco, Billy Kemper, Koa Smith and Luke Davis scored some epic right-handed barrels. - WSLEpisode 1 features Smith, Davis and Mark Healey, along with their local guide Jerome Sahyoun, as the crew surfs an empty perfect barreling right, a step-filled slab and an inviting left as soon as they touch down in Morocco.
While the waves from the first swell were a nice introduction, a second, much larger swell started to form while they were still in Morocco, and the crew decided to stay for it to see what it offered ...
Watch Now: Billy: Chapter 1
Billy Kemper
Chris Coté breaks down how Maui's Billy Kemper became the most dominant surfer at the heaviest paddle competition, the TUDOR Jaws Big Wave
2023 The Hawaiian Islands Present the Sunset Pro is in the rearview after Shion Crawford and Nora Liotta claimed maiden WSL Qualifying
World-class reef break is back for 2023, Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Men's Qualifying Series conclusion locked in.
Episode 6
Connor O'Leary catches the wave of his life and almost beats Kelly Slater at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro. Wildcard Vahine Fierro shines at
Episode 5
After enjoying an epic free surf at Teahupo'o, the crew gets ready for the start of the Outerknown Tahiti Pro. Jackson Baker and Connor
News
The Big Wave season is leveling up the stakes beyond just the Jaws and Nazaré events. The WSL Big Wave Record Chase will reward surfers
Check out some highlights from a brief day of competition in dreadful weather at the Caparica Surf Fest.
Surfers Battle Elements for a Shot at Challenger Series Qualification, Competition Called OFF Tomorrow, Next Call Friday, March 29, 2024 at
New partnerships with World Surf League, Street League Skateboarding and Pro Breaking Tour - built on shared values and respect - embody
Women's World No. 1, Molly Picklum, goes down to rookie Sawyer Lindblad shortly after a three-peat is denied to Tyler Wright from the young