Keala Kennelly

Born: 1978
From: Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii
Known for: First woman to tow into Teahupoo

Biography

Keala Kennelly got her first surfboard at 5 years old. Her dad taught her how to surf growing up in Hawaii. She looked up to her brothers who she competed with all of the time growing up. They inspired her to work hard and become a better surf. She grew up surfing with the Andy and Bruce Irons and they were her role models. She even beat them when she was younger. At some point, her mom left her brothers and dad and herself in Hawaii so she did not grow up with a lot of females around. This did not break her spirit and stop her from becoming the woman she is today. She started surfing in the girls division of US Surfing Championships. She finished 3rd in 1992 and 2nd in 1993 and 4th in 1994. Keala placed 3rd in 1994 world championships. Keala won the 2001 OP Boat Challenge in Indonesia and won the Teahupoo event four times. She was ranked world number 4 in 2002. Keala was a runner up to Beachley in 2003. She surfs with a goofy stance. She is known for riding the biggest tow-in wave by a woman. Keala prides herself on not being the typical girly surfer. She works to make herself known on the scene as woman that will not be objectified by men. She is a strong sense of self worth and believes men and women surfers should have a level playing field.

Some other random information about her is that she got her acting break in 'Blue Crush' where she was paid to do a wipeout. Since then, she has gotten an acting part on a HBO show called "John from Cincinnati." She plays one of the main characters girlfriends.

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