"The weight of winning the Shootout is so much heavier than a WSL event or any other contest.”
It is impossible not to adore Maui’s Billy Kemper. The big wave, small wave and everything in between charger has inspired surf fans for years. But who, here, was not moved by the eponymous six-part series Billy that tracked the star as he recovered from a life-threatening injury and returned to the very heights of surfing power.
Essential, to quote the great Derek Rielly. And pivoting to modern times, just yesterday, or maybe the day before, Kemper won the prestigious Da Hui Backdoor Shootout as part of Team Peru. The waves for the final day were not what would be considered “good,” though they certainly highlighted our hero’s ability to shine in any and all conditions.
“Some of these events in surfing never really register as surf contests,” Kemper declared at the end. “To me, only two events in the entire world hold that power: The Shootout and The Eddie. They’re more like celebrations of surfing, culture and community rather than rankings, ratings or competition. At the end of the day, the weight of winning the Shootout is so much heavier than a WSL event or any other contest.”
Powerful.
And, please, discuss what the win means for you as you navigate various ups and downs in your own life.
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When billy is in the lineup, dont be here. He is working, be thankful he is there, all you locals and holidayers get outta da way
Were charges laid? Because if not, i’ll have to delete your comments.
Lost me at ‘our hero.
My favorite thing about Billy is his humility.
Chas, how do so many people in the Comments miss your biting sarcasm?😁
sarcasm atop sarcasm atop orgasm. no betta reading anywhere!
As long as they’re both voluntary.🤣
involuntary, inadvertant…oops. that was premature!
I don’t know. I remember Surfer years ago and the impression I got was that they didn’t want to even begin to tell the truth about anyone in Hawaii, pro or otherwise connected. They didn’t want to be beaten or killed if they showed up on the North Shore.
Sounds like it’s as bad as ever.
Surfing’s image was built on lies.
Not many if any fans of Billy here that I see.
I’m afraid you’ve mistaken sarcasm for sincerity in my comment above, but thanks for this just the same.
Chas giving props to Elo, by hyping up the Billy doc? Finally the WSL succeeds at something!
He’s always seemed like a bit of a dick, but then Chas obviously doesn’t mind a bit of dick
My ups and downs are nothing compared to the hotties he’s gunna get after this win
If I remember rightly, there’s a juicy bit in Welcome To Paradise where Chas writes about Kolohe’s first Pipe Masters and there was a massive swell forecast and it arrives during the night before his first heat and he doesn’t sleep a wink. Loved it. Then he started talking about his convertible and what he was going to wear that day, again.
That was the good part. Convertible etc.
It was the good vibes that the Peruvians in his team sent his way.
Say “gracias” dude.
They’ve both doing it pretty poorly. Pipe should be a dark presentation. Lot’s of re-runs of past injuries and wipeouts and those shit-your-pants stories about rookies waking in the night to the sound of a new swell arriving. All to White Zombie.
Sorry Eddie Rothman, the Vans comp was better. And the actual best surfer won.
smokin pot causes short-term memory loss…did they get an semi-annual permit? Lexus or Suburu or Cadillac or Jeep…with your French fries?
Haha, no doubt and someone clearly also spiked your salsa with tequila
there’s a lil Eugene, a lil Viking in all of us. you know, from raping. (norm Macdonald)
Very hard to watch that contest because you never knew when it was on. Lack Lester finish… Billy who?
It’s hard not to hate Billy Kemper
I find it quite easy
Billy is such a wanker
Everyone here gonna just ignore his off-centered nipple?
We all just waiting for you to slap the side of your head to re-align your eyes.
Jordy has set the bar
The Shrapnel that Jordy gets when anyone mentions nipple will always live on …
certainly Mama Jaws will not be impressed with Billy’s claim that: “To me, only two events in the entire world hold that power: The Shootout and The Eddie.”
Hope she doesn’t spank him too hard at the next Peahi event.