15 Facts About Keala Kennelly

Keala Kennelly was born on August 13,1978 and is a professional surfer, DJ, and actress from Kauai, Hawaii.

Keala Kennelly continues to DJ and compete as a big wave surfer.

Keala Kennelly turned professional at the age of 17 and soon began surfing in the World Qualifying Series.

Keala Kennelly began a string of successful visits to Teahupoo, Tahiti in 1998 when she won the Gotcha Black Pearl Women's Pro.

Keala Kennelly would go on to win 3 more times in Teahupoo in 2000,2002, and 2003.

Keala Kennelly maintained a spot in the top 10 of the ASP rankings through 2007, with numerous top finishes and groundbreaking female performances.

Keala Kennelly continued to make history for female surfing when she won the first women's big wave contest at the Nelscott Big Wave Classic in 2010, opening the door for more female big wave surfing competitions in the future.

Later that year, Keala Kennelly had a tow-in at Puerto Escondido that is considered to be arguably the best barrel by a female to date.

In 2011, Keala Kennelly chased one of the biggest swells to ever hit Teahupoo.

Three days later while riding in a memorial heat for Andy Irons during the Billabong Pro Men's WCT, Keala Kennelly suffered a massive facial injury.

Keala Kennelly was the female 2018 Big Wave World Champion.

Keala Kennelly's accomplishments have garnered her numerous accolades, including being named the 2002 Female Surfer of the Year by ESPN and more recently, the 2011 and 2013 Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award, and the 2014 Billabong XXL Womens Performance Award.

Keala Kennelly was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, California as 2013's Woman of the Year.

Keala Kennelly began her acting career with a role in the 2002 film, Blue Crush, and later landed a recurring role on the 2007 HBO series, John from Cincinnati.

Keala Kennelly has played internationally at venues in Australia, France, South Africa, England, and Spain as well as domestically in Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and San Diego.