Lights, Cameras, Surfs Up: Meet Surfing's "Comeback Kid" Billy Kemper

どの世代にも、ハリウッドが認めるサーフィンのスターが1人はいるようです。そして、アウトリガーのサーフィンファミリーの一員で、人気上昇中のビリー・ケンパーが、この世代のサーフィン界のスターになることに胸を躍らせています。

This superstar surfer cut his teeth on the glossy waves of the Pacific growing up on the island of Maui. At age 31, Kemper is already a four-time Pe'ahi Challenge Champion, Sunset Open winner and a household name in the surfing world. And he is about to have what will likely be the busiest, most high-profile year of his career—just as he comes back from a devastating physical injury.

In February 2020, Kemper endured a near-fatal wipeout in the waters off of Morocco that left him with a broken pelvis, collapsed lung, destroyed knee and cracked ribs after knocking him unconscious. Now, he's back in the water, feeling ready to fight harder than ever. The surfer's epic comeback journey is documented in a new six-part docuseries called "Billy," currently streaming on the World Surf League website. 

このシリーズでは、ケンパーが家族の元へ戻り、サーフィンを再開し、キャリア形成に決定的な影響を及ぼしてきた目的達成に向けて奮闘する様子を描いています。世界トップクラスのサーファーの一人を描いたこの詳細なポートレートは、華やかなイベントの知られざる舞台裏に迫り、世界中が息をのんで見守った、人生を変える大事故から、さらに一回り強くなり、大きくなったプロとして復帰を果たすと決意した夫、父、そして一流アスリートの物語を描いています。

Kemper is also set to hit the surfer-cool "stage" of our Surfers in Residence and return as a guest (slash friend) alongside his wife Tahiti (sister of fellow Surfer in Residence Tiara). Keep up with Billy's whirlwind year with the exclusive Outrigger interview where we'll chat with Billy about his comeback journey, what it's like to be followed around for a docuseries, and what he has planned ahead. In the meantime, check out our other chats with our fave surfers (the latest with the legend Kelly Slater!) to stay in the loop.

Also, join us at the Waikiki Beachcomber on June 11th for a special poolside bash to celebrate Kemper's recovery. Guests will have the chance to preview never-seen-before clips from his docuseries alongside chill live music and more.