Everyone’s favourite summer beer company Corona Extra are offering readers and drinkers a once-in-a-life-time trip to a literally deserted island with nine of your closest mates, the opportunity poses the age old question – just who would you take? Life Without Andy has put together our dream list of models, musicians, bloggers, surfers and designers that’d we’d gladly get stuck alongside on the remote Namotu Island, Fiji. Kelia ‘Sister’ Moniz, the holder of the ASP World title in women’s longboard, is the epitome of effortless style and grace and Life Without Andy’s pick for surfing companion.
Multi-talented Japanese, Hawaiian, Portuguese, Chinese and Irish beauty Kelia Moniz grew up in a surfing family that spends more time in the water than on land. Kelia, known by friends and family as ‘Sister’ is used to hanging with the boys. With her four brothers and her Dad, a former professional surfer, Sister is just as comfortable paddling out at dawn at Waikiki as she is in full make-up and hair for a photo shoot. Growing up in Oahu, Kelia began surfing at the age of five and has spent most of her formative years as a longboarder. Her family’s strong bond and ties to surfing have been a monumental influence in her life, both in and out of the water.
1. She’s super chilled out.
Kelia inherited her nickname ‘Sister’ as she is the only girl in a family of four brothers, no one wants to go on an adventure with someone who takes a travel iron – we’d much rather relax all day in the sand.
2. Effortless surfing ability that we’re hoping rubs off on us.
Stephanie Gilmore, Australian professional surfer and six-time world champion on the Women’s ASP World Tour says of Kelia – ‘Watching Sister surf is like watching the most beautiful ballet you could ever see but she’s doing it on water. It’s something everyone should get to see’. We couldn’t agree more – shotgun watching her surf the stunning blue waters of Namotu Island for hours on end.
3. Born for the beach.
Masting the art of the longboard at an early age, Kelia, at one stage, on the shores of Waikiki’s Queens Beach, she had more toes over the nose of her board than her age. Rather than someone only interested in coconut oil and sandcastles ‘Sister’ would be playful and fun.
4. Her Aloha Spirit
Sister’s longtime sponsors Roxy says: “As she flawlessly cross-steps her way to the nose, (making it look all too easy) she does so with unfailing Hawaiian charm. A big smile, the spirit of Aloha and her relaxed style are what make her so incredible to watch in the water.”
5. Athletic ability.
Surfing requires a crazy level of fitness and fearlessness – in training since such a young age, if all else fails – we’ll get Kelia to carry stuff for us and fend off wildlife.
Main image via Damien Poullenot.
