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

세대마다 할리우드로 진출하는 서핑 스타가 한 명씩은 배출되는 듯한 추세 속에서, 이번 세대에서 떠오르는 서핑 스타는 바로 아웃리거 서핑 가족 빌리 켐퍼(Billy Kemper)입니다.

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. 

켐퍼가 가족에게 돌아가고, 다시 서핑 보드에 오르고, 서퍼로서의 커리어를 만들어준 개인적 동기에 맞서는 과정을 내밀하게 포착한 이 다큐멘터리는 전 세계를 숨죽이게 만들었던 끔찍한 사고를 극복하고 남편이자 아버지, 엘리트 선수로서 더 나은 삶을 살기로 결심한 한 남자의 진솔한 이야기를 들려줍니다.

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.