Billy Kemper Joins OnlyFans…For Fitness

Billy Kemper emerges via video call, decked out in black clothing, repping his new sponsor Tenore (the new venture from the former RVCA founder, Pat Tenore), a gold chain dangling from his neck, and his tattoos, covering every inch of his sturdy frame. He closes the door behind him, likely a move to get some peace from his four kids for our call.

The purpose of said call? OnlyFans. The subscription service that came to rise during the pandemic, when content creators found ways to make absurd amounts of money from feet pics, sexually explicit content, and legions of lusty followers shilling out big bucks for a peek.

But Billy is not one of those creators. He has joined the platform for a different purpose. For his OnlyFans account, subscribers will get an inside look into the insane training program the Maui big-wave surfer puts his body through when the waves are flat, live streams from the channel at spots like Jaws and Teahupo’o, and all other health and wellness routines he engages in.

Sorry, weirdos; no feet pics.

To hear more about this move, we caught up with Billy to hear more – not just about OnlyFans, but also everything else going on in his life – so, keep scrolling to read our chat.

First off…OnlyFans. Talk about that move, that decision to join.

For me, taking a leap to a platform like OnlyFans, there’s a lot to think about. When the name first comes up, people might think of something else. But when actually doing some research behind the platform, and understanding who’s on there, what people are offering, it’s pretty inspiring.

There are a handful of very respected athletes on there. Seeing those guys have platforms on there, it gives me motivation and belief that it’s somewhere for me to showcase some good stuff. I show some behind-the-scenes stuff on my Instagram, as far as what I do for a living, surfing big waves, and now joining this platform, I’m gonna be able to let people in more on the physical training side of things. Those are the things most people don’t see.

I think it’s interesting for people to see what kind of training I’m doing for my career.

I’m not super familiar with the platform. But I do know what most people use it for. Is there more to it than just feet pics and naked people?

Yeah, for sure. For example, some of the biggest chefs in the world have massive platforms on there. There are athletes, boxers, MMA fighters, NBA players…a little bit of everyone. And to be the first surfer signing with the brand, alongside creating a channel on their platform, I’m excited. I’m gonna keep doing what I’m doing, and give people more access. That could look like a live session out at Jaws, out in the channel at Pipe…just showcasing something different than what people are used to seeing.

You’ve always been such a gnarly fitness guy. Talk about your daily or weekly training regimen a bit.

For a while, when I was first introduced to that world, I would train so hard for four-to-six months, just getting ready for winter. I’d go through winter, maybe win an event, then party until the wheels fell off. A few years ago, I cut out the alcohol and drugs in my life. Then, fitness became a year-round routine. It was my daily schedule. It wasn’t like a camp, or a season. Fitness is how I start every day, seven days a week. Sometimes it’s in a gym, sometimes it’s in the mountains, sometimes in the ocean. I’m not tied to one specific training.

You’ve also had some serious injuries over the years. How’s your body holding up?

My body feels great. Those seasonal daily camps turned into daily routines. If I was to go back to drinking beers, and just chilling during the summertime, my body would not be where it’s at right now. It’s maintenance now to keep my body aligned. Age is just a number. You’ve gotta keep moving. If you’re pushing yourself and enjoying life, you’re gonna be happy and healthy for a long time. And that’s what it’s all about.

How about the brain injury? It was cool when you spoke publicly about that, because not many people do. And recently, it’s become a hot topic in surfing.

I’m actually working on a documentary on the whole mental health and brain injury thing. It’s going to be full mainstream, not just the surf world. I want to send a message that the whole world hears. The brain is the most powerful, yet fragile, part of your body. I’m proof of having a strong mind. I wasn’t born with a bucket of talent. But my brain has fueled a majority of my success. When that’s taken away from you, you’re left with nothing.

I have four beautiful kids, a beautiful wife…things I dreamed of as a child. But a brain injury can make you forget everything you’ve worked for. It all becomes a blur. That’s why mental health is so serious. It makes you want to curl up in a ball and hide from the world. I’ve seen the dark; I’ve seen the light. I’ve been working with the best people in the field. And today, I feel great. I feel sharper, faster…I’m really grateful. I wanna share that message. When it comes to your brain, you can’t give up. When you don’t talk about it, you’re just going to lose yourself.

Related: Big-Wave Surfer Billy Kemper Gets Candid About Sobriety in New Series

What’s going on with Tenore? Feels like the world is just waiting to see what this becomes.

Anybody who has been a part of surfing for the last 20 years has put on a RVCA shirt, and said, “Wow, this fabric feels so good.” Surfing and skating, it was pretty lame. But the person who made it cool again was Pat Tenore. He made surfers and skateboarders and fighters and musicians cool, and he got them all to hang out together. I’ve said this a thousand times: Pat Tenore’s network is more valuable than anyone’s net worth. Go follow what Tenore is doing. This brand is tying together networks from around the world. It’s capitalizing on the highest of the ordinary. Very sleek, high-end, sexy products coming soon.

"If you’re pushing yourself and enjoying life, you’re gonna be happy and healthy for a long time."

There are a few videos out there of you surfing with your kids , and they’ve gone somewhat viral. What’s that like seeing your clips picked up by mainstream, non-surfing-centric outlets?

Good Morning America hit me up about those videos. [Laughs.] But this is stuff that I did with my brothers growing up. I’ve been doing it for a while with my kids. Then, all of a sudden, one clip goes viral. But this is just another day with my family at Ehukai Beach Park. Most people think I should be pushing my kids into waves to surf on their own. But he wants to feel what I feel; he wants to feel what it’s like to ride the wave with my speed and power. For me, I want the ocean to be a happy place for them. I try not to be, like, a soccer dad. It’s just fun for them. Especially with my younger one. He’s talking me through the wave, like, “Let’s do a floater, let’s do a snap!” It’s a blessing to share my craft with my kids.

Do you still feel like you have the drive in big waves? Still wanting to push the boundaries?

I watched seven heats of the Jaws contest from 2019 the other day. Not the condensed versions. That’s close to six-and-a-half hours. I don’t think my hunger for big waves has ever been higher. I don’t want to go chase every big wave. But there are a few places and events that have my whole soul.

"For me, I’m training for the biggest and best day in history every day."

I just spent a week in Tahiti with Shane [Dorian], and he asked me: “How long do you want it at Jaws?” He advised me to set a line. I’ve definitely laid out a line, especially in a jersey. The person I become in a jersey, I don’t like that version of myself. I like the success. I’m obsessed with winning. I don’t care if it’s two feet or 200 feet. I can’t get enough of that feeling. I just wanna ride a couple of waves that I’m gonna remember for the rest of my life.

What’s next for you? What are your plans for the upcoming big-wave season?

Winter. I’ve got a lot of high hopes. But you never know what’s going to happen. For me, I’m training for the biggest and best day in history every day. Tomorrow could be the biggest swell to ever hit. And that’s how I live my life. Give me a pitch, and I’m ready to swing.

Related: Billy Kemper Talks Brain Injuries and Mental Health in Surfing