Keala Kennelly is an incredible surfer. She resided atop the CT for years and is currently regarded as one of the best big wave surfers in the world. She’s also a big advocate for equality in surfing and has been leading the fight for equal pay and the inclusion of women in more events. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is one such event and today, Kennelly will paddle out alongside five other women to compete in the event for the first time.
Kennelly is fully qualified to participate as she, and many other female surfers, have been arguing for years. Kennelly was first included in the Eddie in 2017 but the event didn’t run. Today, the Eddie has received the green light and history is about to be made with the women paddling out alongside the men at Waimea Bay for the first time in the Eddie’s 39-year history.
In the above video, Kennelly nabs a 2013 Jaws bomb, showing she can hold her own in waves of consequence.
