Kelia Moniz

Kelia Moniz, a 30-year-old surfer and full-time mom from Kuli'ou'ou, Hawai’i, shares her unique story. Homeschooled throughout her childhood, she grew up in a tight-knit family with four brothers. Her father, Tony Moniz a former professional surfer and Hawaiian pioneer in the sport, started a grassroots surf school after leaving the competitive surfing industry. This venture saw the family spending their early years of schooling at the beach in Waikiki, combining education with surfing.

Kelia’s earliest memories of surfing include riding a 12-foot longboard at age 7, marking the beginning of her journey in surfing. She was attracted to the sport after observing a group of Roxy surfers in Waikiki, setting her heart on becoming a "Roxy girl," a goal she achieved at 13. Kelia's social life was vibrant, filled with interactions at the beach and state-wide competitions. Despite her success in shortboard national championships, she found her true passion in longboarding, leading to two world titles.

Her journey also included dealing with the termination of her long-term sponsorship with Roxy. This led her to focus on her brand and store, emphasizing a realistic depiction of life as a surfing mom in Hawai'i. Kelia advises others to trust their instincts and pursue their dreams with determination, emphasizing the potential of the next generation to achieve greatness with the right mindset and effort.

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