By Mike Latronic – When Kala DeSoto claimed victory at last month’s Da Hui Backdoor Shootout, it felt like more than a breakthrough performance at one of the North Shore’s most respected invitation-only events. It felt like a continuation—another chapter in a family story deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi’s surf culture, community, and values.
Surfing may be an individual pursuit, but Kala’s path has never been walked alone. He comes from a lineage where the ocean is more than a playground—it’s a classroom, a gathering place, and a responsibility. At the center of that lineage is his father, Duane DeSoto, a former world champion longboarder whose influence extends well beyond competition. Together with his wife and family, Duane has spent decades giving back to Hawaiʻi’s surf and cultural communities.
That commitment is most visible through the family’s work with Nā Kama Kai, a nonprofit dedicated to reconnecting Hawaiʻi’s youth with the ocean through Hawaiian values, mentorship, and education. For the DeSotos, surfing isn’t separate from service—it’s an expression of kuleana.
Growing up in this environment shaped Kala well beyond contest results. Respect for the ocean was non-negotiable. Cultural awareness mattered. And success in the water came with an expectation of humility outside of it.
At the Shootout, Kala had one goal: get barreled. Pipeline and Backdoor demand more than skill—they require patience, positioning, and an understanding of waves of consequence. Kala surfed with a calm confidence that spoke to years of commitment inside one of the world’s most consequential lineups.
What stands out just as much as the win is how he carries it. There’s no sense of arrival—only gratitude, perspective, and acknowledgment of the people and places that shaped him. This conversation begins not with a trophy, but with legacy—one built on ocean knowledge, service, and aloha, now carried confidently into the future.
Why do you surf?
Because it’s fun.
You come from a strong surfing family. Do you remember what first inspired you to start surfing?
I’ve been surfing since before I can remember—baby times with my dad. The first time I really wanted to take it seriously was when my sister Pua started taking it seriously. She was competing and doing really well, and that motivated me.
What are your earliest memories of actually riding waves?
Probably long days at Waikīkī. My dad would take us down, and I’d be on his board with him when I was around four. I was doing it before that, but age four is what I remember most clearly.
Your sister Pua had a big influence on you. Why is that?
I look up to her a lot. She’s amazing—not just at surfing, but in everything she does. She’s a great businesswoman, super smart, did really well in school, and she won a lot of contests. She has around 11 national titles, and that was really inspiring for me.
You have a big family—five siblings? Was there sibling rivalry growing up?
A little bit, but mostly we’re all really supportive of each other.
Your family is deeply connected to surfing culturally. What does that mean to you?
It’s more than just a sport for us—it’s our cultural practice. Our kūpuna have been doing this for hundreds of years. That’s the main reason for me. I feel a responsibility to continue that and represent Hawaiʻi the right way.
How would you describe your family to someone who doesn’t know the DeSotos?
We’re a big family from Mākaha. My dad is a world-champion longboarder who traveled the world. My uncle is a world-champion motocross rider. We’re a family that loves the ocean.
You grew up around Nā Kama Kai. What role did that play in your life?
It taught me how to be safe in the ocean, how to respect the ocean, and how to respect people. Growing up helping teach other kids really helped shape who I am.
How important is ocean stewardship to you now?
It’s super important. If we don’t respect nature, it won’t be here for future generations. We have to take care of the ocean and the reefs so the next generation can experience the same beauty we did.
Let’s talk about Pipeline and Backdoor. How did your progression out there happen?
I started surfing it consistently about four years ago, staying on the North Shore with the Chandlers at the Ohana house at Pipeline. The first few years I was mostly on the inside, just getting what I could. This year I started realizing I could get the better waves.
Was spending time on the inside section important for you?
For sure. It takes time to learn that lineup. Even from the inside, you learn a lot just by watching—how guys position themselves, where they take off. You really have to start at the bottom and work your way up.
Was Pipeline intimidating at first?
Yeah, super intimidating. But I was around people who charged out there, and that really motivated me.
Was surfing Pipe something you wanted personally, or something you felt you needed to do?
It was definitely something I needed in my arsenal. Watching my dad’s old clips motivated me too. And honestly, I just love surfing it.
Tell me about your experience at the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout.
It was a roller coaster. I was driving in from the West Side every day, waiting for the call. The first day was really good—I got one of the best waves of the day. After that, conditions were tricky, and they ran an expression session instead of full heats, which was a little frustrating, but that’s just how it goes.
How did it feel to win at just 18 years old against such a heavy field?
It felt really good. It was a big confidence boost. It made me realize that I belong out there and that I deserve to surf with those guys. I’m just going to keep surfing Pipe and keep pushing myself.
What’s next for you?
Just keep surfing, keep learning, and keep moving forward.