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THE SINGLE GIRL
Kelia Moniz talks about growing up with all boys, swapping from longboarding to shortboarding, and eating crab legs
By:
Chelsea Johns
Photos: All Photos: FreeSurfMagazine.com
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June 13, 2007
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Being the only girl in a family with four surf rat brothers and a former pro surfer dad, you'd expect 14-year-old Kelia Moniz to be somewhat of a tomboy.
Instead, the Oahu local's tan, delicate frame and graceful skills on a longboard tell a much different story.
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Following in the footsteps of friend and surf partner, Carissa Moore, Kelia has become a regular in contest finals, proving herself capable of beating out the boys. Last year, Kelia was the only girl to make it to the semifinals in the noseriding event at the Corona Hawaiian Open -- a timed event where both men and women competitors attempt to stay perched on the nose of their boards for as long as possible -- and beat out defending champion, Kai Sallas, in the process. In 2005, Kelia took second in the Converse Hawaiian Open in the Open Women's division and at the 2007 China Uemura Wahine Surfing Classic, she made the finals in three separate divisions. If you haven't become familiar with Kelia because of her impressive contest stats, you're sure to recognize her soon, as she pops up on her sponsor's ads and posters across the nation. Kelia surfs with the boys, but she's still 100% wahine. The Kelia Moniz Interview: D.O.B.: February 5, 1993 From: Honolulu, HI Homebreak: Kewalos Sponsors: Roxy, Up and Riding, HIC, Da Kine, Ratio Fins When did you first get into surfing?: I learned how to surf when I was five or six. My dad was an ex-professional surfer and we grew up in the water and so I just kinda learned and started on my own and slowly got into it. What was it like growing up in a surf family?: It was always a family thing to go to the beach together and after a while we'd really want to go everyday. It wasn't like we were pushed to surf, we wanted to do it. "Whenever I'm around a lot of girls for a really long time, it gets tiring I guess. When I'm with boys I'm used to them cuz they're not yabbering at each other and being all crazy."
--Kelia Moniz
What about growing up with so many brothers?: I like it cuz whenever I'm around a lot of girls for a really long time, it gets tiring I guess. When I'm with boys I'm used to them cuz they're not yabbering at each other and being all crazy. And you were home schooled, right?: Always have. I like home school because I get a lot more surfing opportunities and it's nice to be home with my brothers and my mom. But I would like to try to go to try public school someday and see what it's like. I would be a freshman next year. Not many surfers switch between a longboard and shortboard as fluidly as you, but you must prefer one over the other, yeah?: I do like to longboard, I love to longboard. I just started shortboarding recently and it's been really fun so right now I like shortboarding a little more but I love longboarding. When it's small and there's not many waves I'll take my longboard out and it's really graceful and easy. But my brothers like to shortboard so I like to be with them and shortboard. Any other sports?: I just started stand up paddling, its really good exercise and really fun. I don't really body board too much, I just did it a couple times in a couple contests. Out of water?: I like to hang out with my friends. We're at the beach everyday. I also like modeling and shopping at Ala Moana and Pearlridge. What do you like about competing?: I like competing but I like freesurfing also. But competing helps me exceed in my surfing and I learn and I see other girls surf and see what levels they're at. Travel to surf?: I've just been to California, to Cardiff Reef, and that's a really fun wave. I enjoy surfing there. What about breaks on the Oahu?: I love Waikiki and Bowls and Kewalos. Those are my three favorite spots on the island. Best piece of advice from parents: My parents are really supportive and they just give me advice with surfing or living a healthy lifestyle. Food to be healthy: Our parents don't like when we eat too much junk. My dad is actually more strict and my mom doesn't really notice, but my dad does. He likes us to eat healthy, like salad and brown rice. My favorite is Japanese food and crab legs. Who inspires you?: One person would be Carissa [Moore]. She's a really humble person and I think that is a real gift. She's always really friendly and she gives so much. Carissa is one of my favorite role models. What are your goals for surfing?: I would love to go to Australia and surf Snapper and all those fun places. I'm going to go to France for the Roxy Pro, the World Longboarding championships. Someone wins that, they're Women's World Champion for longboarding. So my goal is to do good in that contest. MORE WOMENS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |
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