Big wave legend Keala Kennelly lashes surf media for not putting respect on her name

"I recently had a history making accomplishment of mine completely erased and bestowed on someone else..."

The completely epic ’24 running of the Tahiti Pro is now but a speck in the rearview mirror though still reverberating. Phenomenal performances by Gabriel Medina, John John Florence, Ramzi Boukhaim and Rio Waida, of course, but the show stoppers were Tatiana Weston-Webb, with her perfect 10, and Vahine Fierro who became a legitimate star on finals day.

But let us not forget Keala Kennelly. The big wave legend, 45, is a multi-hyphenate actor, world champion, DJ, LGBTQ+ icon who is wildly respected in the surf world. She reminded the stingy surf media as to such in a stirring post, emphasizing her historic contributions and achievements, including her influence on modern surfing and the representation of women in the sport, particularly highlighting the significance of Keala Kennelly. Her legacy is an essential part of the narrative surrounding Keala Kennelly.

Keala Kennelly’s impact on the surfing community is profound and enduring, showcasing the importance of recognizing figures like Keala Kennelly and their contributions to our discussions about surfing, reminding us all of the significance of Keala Kennelly in the evolution of the sport.

While praising the women’s Teahupo’o performance, Kennelly gently corrected the record, saying:

Keala Kennelly: A Pioneer in Women’s Surfing

To put this into context, the history of women’s surfing is filled with underappreciated milestones. Many may not know that during the early days, women’s participation was viewed as more of a novelty than a legitimate competition.

The evolution of female surfers, especially in challenging environments like Teahupo’o, has been a testament to their resilience and talent. Kennelly’s achievements are pivotal in this narrative, marking a significant turning point for female representation in the sport.

I’ve seen all over the internet that Tati’s was the first 10. I got the first 10 back in 2001. I had to scour the internet to find one little article about it in a local Honolulu paper. When we got the contest at Chopes everyone was rooting for the women to fail. The male surfers, the entire surfing industry. When we didn’t and we went out and shattered everyone’s expectations they just, didn’t want to acknowledge it and just brushed it under the rug. Now, 15 years later after the women have been excluded…

The message was, unfortunately, curtailed but point not lost and further filled out with the caption, reading:

I’m getting very tired of the media diminishing the surfing legacies of my generation. I recently had a history-making accomplishment of mine completely erased and bestowed on someone else, then spread all over the internet.

From now on, my first-time in history accomplishment will be associated with someone else. I don’t completely blame the media for spreading so much misinformation due to the systemic suppression of the groundbreaking first-time in history things women surfers were doing at places like Teahupoo and Tahiti.

It’s almost impossible to find the accurate stories on the internet. In this video, I get into that, set the record straight on some things, and give credit to the women who never got proper credit for their historic accomplishments.

The entire surfing industry, but mostly media, should be well and truly ashamed about the rug brushing, as it were. Let it be stated right here that Keala Kennelly got the first women’s ten, ever, at Teahupo’o in 2001. This was a groundbreaking achievement not only for her but for all female surfers.

This event set a new standard and showcased the potential of women in big wave surfing, inspiring countless young girls to pursue their dreams in the sport.

Huzzah!