Keahi is a multi-talented waterman. However, his quest for the World Title has been hampered by injury. We sit down with him to find out what makes him tick and what his plans are now he has almost recovered!

Keahi De Aboitiz is one of the world’s best surf paddlers; however injury has upset his campaign to win the title over the last two years. We caught up with him to ask a few questions about his life, his injuries and his chances of winning the World Title in the future.

Keahi has an interesting background; he could have almost been born a Hawaiian. His father was born in Australia, but grew up in Oahu; his mother was born in Hawaii, but they both moved to Noosa in 1988 after falling in love with the place when a cyclone swell rolled through. Keahi came along in 1992 and is no stranger to travelling between two of the world’s best surfing destinations! They’ve always been a water loving family; Keahi was introduced to surfing at a very young age and used to compete in national longboard events. His dad got into kitesurfing when the sport first started, as did Keahi, and he has since won two world titles.

On a trip to Oahu Keahi’s dad saw people stand-up paddling for the first time and he returned to Australia and made a paddle and went out on one of his old tandem surfboards. Keahi has the same passion for trying new things as his father does and he got into stand-up too, the rest, as they say, is history. Keahi placed 7th on the Stand Up World Tour in 2014, his best result, but one that doesn’t reflect his efforts that year as he could only compete in three out of the five stops after he broke his ankle.

Who knows what his final standing might have been had he been able to ride in California and France that year? He’s just had the metal work removed from his ankle and is on his way back to full fitness at last. We just saw a clip of him cruising on a longboard SUP in some clean waves at his home spot and he says it felt amazing to get back on the water!

You’ve grown up on the water, and with a love of kitesurfing and SUP you get to ride pretty much whatever the conditions are. How tough is it when you are injured to not be able to do the sports you love so much?

It definitely gets hard, but the biggest thing is to find other ways to have fun and keep occupied that aren’t too physical.  For me, that’s pretty tough, but the biggest thing that has helped get me through the last couple of injuries is filming with a drone. It really is about as close as you can get to being out there and it is a hell of a lot of fun to fly. Looking back at the footage is always a pleasure and it’s crazy to see some of the angles and footage you can capture with one. Another thing I’ve gotten pretty into is the radio control slope soaring wings. I’ve been into them for the last five years, but I definitely spend a lot more time flying them when I’m out of the water. It so fun to get a few mates together that fly them, have a few beers and try knock each other out of the sky. They are pretty much indestructible which is nice

You’ve just had the metal work taken out of your ankle and the shoulder is on the mend, when are you going to be getting wet again?

I’ve actually just started getting back on the water doing some basic stuff very recently. I’ve still got a bit of a way to go, but it’s so nice just to get wet and be back in the water again. I’ve been playing around on a ten foot longboard SUP in small waves, which is actually a lot of fun. I’ve also been getting back into longboarding a bit. Shooting so much longboarding with the drone while I’ve been injured has really got me keen on doing it again more. My dad gave me back one of his old logs and it’s a super fun board. We have some perfect waves for logging in Noosa.

With the heritage you have, you’ve spent a lot of time bouncing back and forth between Australia and Hawaii, they are both very different places; does the vibe on the waves differ too?

It’s really nice being able to go back and forth. They are different, but Hawaii is an amazing place to spend the winter. It’s so consistent for surf and it’s been a great way to become more accustomed to the bigger, gnarlier surf. We get some amazing and perfect waves in Noosa but nothing compares to the consistency and power of the waves in Hawaii. The vibe is a little different, but as long as you don’t act like a dick and find some of the lesser known waves it’s really not bad in Hawaii. I’ve been enjoying my time there lately and there are a few really fun waves that stay relatively uncrowded if you know where to look, which is nice.

Aussies are notoriously aggressive surfers, and they are incredibly passionate about it, is SUP starting to get some good traction now Down Under?

Are you sure you aren’t describing Brazilians?! [Laughs] We are definitely pretty passionate about surfing as well, but I think most Aussies are always pretty respectful. There are definitely exceptions and some crowded spots where things can get a bit out of control, but that can be hard to avoid. SUP is definitely continuing to grow as there are a lot of places that can get epic waves but a lot of the time it might be small and average between swells. Riding a SUP allows you to have so much more fun in those conditions, which is why I think more people continue to get into it.

You’re obviously very competitive with two kite world titles under your belt and a spell chasing the Stand-Up World Tour title too, where did that competitive streak come from and what do you enjoy about competing?

I guess I was kinda brought up into it and always loved competing. Growing up longboarding, I was always competing in the Noosa Festival of Surfing when I was younger so I guess it all started there. I won the under 14’s a couple of years in a row so once I got into kiting and SUP, it wasn’t long before I started chasing the national level competitions and I always really enjoyed it. Being around such a talented group of riders at a competition always pushes me to learn new things and push it as hard as I can. It’s fun to see how everyone reacts differently to the pressure too

Is the double SUP title and kite title still on your radar? I know it is something you’ve given some thought to in the past…

That would be an epic one to accomplish, but definitely a little difficult. Scheduling, for one thing, is pretty hard - to not have any overlapping events and then being able to constantly perform well in both can be a bit difficult sometimes. For me, I think the biggest reason I’ve had some trouble in the SUP events is in lacklustre waves with no priority. I always found it hard when the conditions aren’t great and you have four people fighting for waves with no priority to where it turns into a wave catching contest. I’ve never been that hassling guy and have a hard time switching to that mindset. I’ve always liked places like Sunset where it’s a bigger playing field with solid waves. With the new format this year and priority in most of the heats I’m really looking forward to doing some more events. Hopefully we score some more good surf for the events too.

The professional scene in the kite world has had a couple of sketchy years lately, but it finally looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel, how do the two tours differ in terms of organisation and, more importantly, the fun factor for the competitors?

Yeah, it has been a little interesting, however I do like the incorporation of some strapless freestyle events and I think this really helps for securing more events and bringing in more spectators. I hope it doesn’t become a full flat water thing, but I really like the idea of incorporating a wave/strapless freestyle format together. Depending on the conditions you can weight it more towards waves or more towards freestyle stuff. This really allows the best of both worlds and opens up a lot more options for spots, yet doesn’t move completely away from wave riding which a lot of people, including myself, really love.

You’re part of a new breed of waterman who’s embraced new sports as they have arrived, plenty of people stay blinkered to one thing, have you always been keen to try new things?

For me it’s always been about maximising my time in the ocean. If you just get stuck on one sport, you are limiting yourself so much in my opinion. By doing so many different sports you can allow yourself to have much more fun in all conditions. One of my favourite things to do still is ride a shortboard in pumping waves, but with SUP and kiting it makes those more average conditions so much more fun and that’s why we all do these sports.  

What do you make of Kai Lenny and his SUP hydrofoil, are we going to see you on one soon?

I’ve got to say its pretty damn impressive, but I think there is going to be a lot of impulse buying without people realising how hard it actually is. I’ve spent some time kiting on one and have actually mucked around towing in on the Cabrinha one before so I wasn’t too surprised to see him doing well with it on a regular SUP. The downwind stuff was pretty mind-blowing though and that definitely got me keen to give it a go. I’d kind of thought about it but never expected it to actually work. It looks like way too much fun. Once I’m recovered a bit more I’m pretty keen to have a crack

You’ve ridden a hydrofoil with a kite; do you think it will be easier or harder on the SUP?

It’s definitely going to be quite a bit harder on the SUP. A kite can really help stabilise you because you constantly have something to lean against and balance with. Once you lose that you have to be really on top of things and it’s easy to find yourself off balance with a giant foil heading straight for you. The other thing to keep in mind is that it doesn’t work very well on a wave once it breaks. You want to find a rolling swell for it to be ideal otherwise it will be really difficult

Is it something that we should all be looking towards as the future, or is it a step too far for the masses to get behind it do you think?

It’s hard to say, but it’s definitely something you want to be pretty careful with and will take a while for people to figure out. The biggest thing is to make it work well, you have to make it look smooth and easy when in reality it’s really not that simple. In saying that, over the last few years the kiting foils have really taken off so it could happen. The biggest thing people need to realise is that it’s much harder then it looks and you will really need to put in the time to work it out and become competent. If you have some background kiting on one it will make life much easier, but going straight from nothing to a foil is going to be a super tough learning curve. I’d recommend a helmet and staying away from others too. Foils are sharp and can do a lot of damage!

You’ve been with JP Australia, Cabrinha and NP forever, what’s it like to be part of the Neil Pryde family?

It’s great! I actually started with Cabrinha nationally over ten years ago now so I’ve been with the brand for a really long time. Once Cabrinha stopped making SUP boards after a short period it was a pretty natural change to go over to JP and still stay within the same overall company. They are all great brands to deal with and pretty loyal when it comes to the team riders. It’s really nice to be all under the same roof when it comes to balancing both sports too

Do you get involved with the development process at JP at all?

I actually do a fair bit of stuff with them on the boards and it’s really great to work with Werner Gnigler. Although he came from a windsurfing background he has some amazing knowledge and brings a bit of a different approach to boards sometimes and I think that’s great. A lot of the time, I just give him the dimensions I want and some thoughts on bottom shapes and the boards that come out are always epic. If they work really well then they usually bring them out in the range the following year.

What’s your favourite board to ride in the waves and why?

My go-to boards are the ones from the pro surf line. In bigger surf I really like the 8’0” and the 7’6” is great in a slightly smaller waves. The Slates are also really fun in fatter long waves. The speed you can generate on them is amazing. I’ve also got a couple customs that are a bit narrower that have been working really well. Hopefully we can see them implemented in the range soon enough.

Boards seem to be developing at a rapid pace still, first getting super small and now with the modern shapes such as the JP Surf Slate, do you think there is still more development to come in terms of shape, size and volume?

I think there is still a bit of room for more development, but I can’t see people going much smaller then they are going at the moment. To be honest, what some of the guys on the tour are riding is getting pretty ridiculous when they are sinking past their knees between waves and I think that takes the fun out of it. I kind of like finding that happy medium where you are on a small board that surfs great, but it is still ok to paddle without being wrecked by the time you catch a wave.

You must have racked up the air miles between the US and Australia over the years, what are your top tips for travelling with your SUP gear?

My biggest tip would be to just check and be familiar with the airlines baggage policies before you fly so you know what to expect. Some airlines charge by weight, some charge specifically for boards and some have length limits. It’s all about being prepared and knowing what to expect. Call them if you can’t find out on the website. Another big one is how to carry long boardbags through the airport as it’s too hard to fit upright and with a couple boards in a bag and without wheels it can be pretty heavy. The best way I’ve found is to put a suitcase or something heavy on the front of the trolley and then balance the bag facing forwards on top of the handle where you push the trolley. The first time I discovered this, it was a game changer and made life so much easier.

You’ve been lucky enough to surf some of the best waves on the planet, on some of the best days there have ever been, is there a particular day that still stands out in your memory and why was it so special?

There was one particular day at Teahupoo last year before the Sapinus event that was pretty incredible. I had 4-6ft Teahupoo by myself for an hour then shared it with Zane Shweitzer, Sean Poynter and a few other guys for a few more hours. It was so fun just trading barrels and cheering each other on. I got some of the most perfect barrels of my life out there that day. I’ve also had some pretty special days shooting with Alan Van Gysen over in South Africa. The water is cold, but man there are some good waves there! I’ve also got some great memories from Cloudbreak too.

Quick Fire Round…

Australia or Hawaii?

Tough one. Hawaii is more consistent for waves, but its pretty hard to beat those perfect magical days at home in Aus where it all comes together.

Kite or SUP?

Kite when it’s windy, SUP when it’s clean.

Vaz or Casey in a heat draw?

Casey. James is ripping a lot harder these days but Caio is always a really tough draw in a heat. He’s one of those guys you can never count out in a heat and always seems to find a wave and perform to get what he needs.

Who really inspires you in this sport at the moment?

Hard not to say Kai Lenny. Small waves, big waves it doesn’t matter and he kills it on everything

Fine wine or craft beer?

Craft beer for sure

Healthy eating or junk food?

I’d like to say healthy eating, but definitely a bit of both.

Favourite way to procrastinate?

Probably Instagram.

Last book you read?

Can’t remember. Is that bad? Maybe its time to read another book again!

Last time you got really scared?

Taking off on that wave at Backdoor that got nominated for wave of the winter. I honestly didn’t think I’d make it, but somehow I got lucky and the rest is history. Going over the falls at Teahupoo on an 8 footer would have to be second. Not a fun experience at all!

Describe yourself in 5 words…

Completely addicted to the ocean.

Who would you like to thank?

My mum for driving me around and spending countless hours on the beach when I was young, and my dad for getting me into pretty much everything I know. Also, a big thanks to Cabrinha, JP and NP, for supporting me so much over the years. Oh and my girlfriend Moona for being so understanding of the line “the surf is pumping and I’m going to be surfing all day”!

Cheers Keahi, thanks so much for taking the time!

Videos

SUP Surfing Keahi de Aboitiz East Coast 2015
SUP Surfing Keahi de Aboitiz Reef & Beach
JP-Australia Surf Slate
By Rou Chater
Rou Chater has been kitesurfing for over twenty years, paddleboarding for the last six years, and was there testing the first wingsurfer from Naish in Tarifa when it arrived on the continent. He is passionate about riding waves and exploring new places. As the publishing editor, he oversees everything at Tonic but also our sister magazines IKSURFMAG and IMB. He's been on the water since he was born and has never looked back, in the winter you'll find him chasing swells in the Caribbean and during the summer he can be found all over Europe at various SUP, Kitesurf and Mountain Bike events getting features for the magazines.

Comments