Ke’ale Dorries, a dynamic force in the SUP world, is joining the Starboard Dream Team (again!), marking a significant milestone in her career. Hailing from the vibrant Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, Ke’ale has spent over 15 years mastering the ocean, competing both locally and internationally. With a deep connection to her SUP community, she is passionate about keeping the sport alive and thriving. Her journey has now come full circle as she rejoins Starboard, her very first sponsor 11 years ago, to pursue new challenges in SUP surfing, racing, and foiling. As she prepares to make adjustments for the increasingly flatwater-focused racing scene, she’s also eagerly looking forward to more international competitions. Among her 2025 challenges is the exciting prospect of foiling in Hawaii’s prestigious Triple Crown races, the Bali Cosmic SUP Experience as well as the ISA and ICF world championships.
Credit: Taylah Jane Photography
Hello Ke’ale! First of all can you remind our readers of your background and paddling lifestyle?
Hi Mathieu! My name is Ke’ale Dorries, I live on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. I don’t like to think of any one beach as my ‘home beach’ as the Gold Coast and surroundings has so much to offer. You’ll find me somewhere in the ocean but primarily on the Southern Gold Coast from Burleigh Heads to Snapper Rocks!
My SUP Club is SUSinc (Stand Up Surfers Inc) and my other sponsors include Blackfish Paddles, Sunshine Coast Board Sports, Taylah Jane Photography, AXIS Foils, Evexia CrossFit + Therapies, Surf Life Physio, LF Supply and SUP Supplements!
My occupation is as a Marketing Manager for the Professional Pickleball Tour here in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia!
Can you list your full achievements in SUP and detail your favorites?
Of course! Over my 15 years of paddling I’ve been lucky enough to compete all around Australia as well as some beautiful locations around the world. I love competing in my local Australian races which our clubs put on, these are amazing events that really bring our SUP Community together! I’ve also competed on the World Stage at APP events like Huntington Beach Pro and the Turtle Beach Pro. These where awesome events and I hope we can see some more here.
I was lucky enough to be selected to compete in the ISA World Championships in Denmark back in 2017 when the Aussies took home the Gold!
My favourite competition however has got to be the Bali Cosmic Longboard SUP Revolution! It was there I got to see the Starboard Team in full action and knew I had to be apart of it! I placed 2nd in this event.
Can you share the origins and behind-the-scenes details of your agreement with Starboard?
So, funny enough, Starboard was actually my first ever sponsor back when I was only 13! I had myself a 12’6 Turtle Bay model, which I still have to this day!
On the 12’6 All Star Turtle Bay back in 2014
When I was in Bali for the LSR Comp, I caught up with an ‘old’ friend, Pete Cox! I used to travel down the coast of Australia to attend the amazing races Pete would host in Newcastle. It was great seeing him again in Bali and after hearing he was back working alongside Starboard, I was straight onto him for any information on how I could be part of the Dream Team! Pete invited me along to some team outings and I got to know the team a bit better and had the chance to talk about all things SUP. After the event, Pete and I kept in touch and he helped organise everything with Starboard and Sunshine Coast Board Sports to get me on the Dream Team – so I owe him a massive shout out!!
What will be your main focus from now on between SUP surfing, SUP racing, or SUP foiling and why?
I’ve always had an equal amount of love for all disciplines of SUP. SUP Racing is always happening, I definitely prefer the technical races, Sprint races and downwinders (sorry all the flat water paddlers!). SUP Surfing isn’t as hot as it used to be, but with the rise of the longboard SUP divisions I’m just happy to keep competing! SUP Foiling has completely taken off – for the last few years I’ve been mainly prone foiling, but with my new Starboard Ace I can’t wait to get into more foil downwinders!
Credit: Taylah Jane Photography
What is your Starboard quiver going to be and why? Can you please detail your experience with each board you’ve had the opportunity to try or are looking forward to receiving? When will you be fully geared up?
My starboard quiver will be the All Star, the Pro Surf and the Ace Foil! I’ve been training on a later model sprint to get me ready for my new All Star, and have been Lucky enough to borrow a friends All Star for some training sessions, but I’m super excited to have my own board under my feet!
Credit: Taylah Jane Photography
The Pro Surf SUP will be my board of choice to compete at the Australian National Titles in the Open Women’s Surf Division – I’m keen to get out in the surf the day that comes!! I think I’m most excited for the Starboard Ace Foil Board – foil boards have come a long way, and with the ACE Foil board being reimagined from the Ace SUP Race board (my all-time favourite downwind board) I’m so excited to get out into some bumps and make my downwind foil game strong!
What are your main short-term and middle-term competition objectives? You haven’t had the chance to compete internationally much, is that on the cards?
After Covid, international travel became hard and expensive from Australia. I’m lucky enough to have an awesome job that allows me to travel, and in 2025 I’m looking at getting to more international races. For 2025, my definite races will be the ICF World Championships as well as the Bali Longboard SUP Revolution. We’ll have to wait and see what other events get announced – but I would like to get to Hawaii for some foiling races!!
For this year – I’m locked into the Australian National Titles which will be my pathway to the ISA Worlds next year. However, if things work out, you might see me in Florida for the ICF Worlds in November.
Credit: Taylah Jane Photography
As a true ocean SUP racer, what’s your take on the SUP racing scene right now, which is becoming more and more flatwater-oriented?
This is definitely a hard one for us Aussies – we love the ocean and love our downwinders and surf races. We’re made for it! However, with the SUP Racing scene becoming smaller in Australia, the attractiveness of the European flat water races have been ideal. I’m definitely going to have to learn to love flat water paddling!
Ke’ale Dorries (left) at 12 Towers 2020
This is where I think foiling will take over ocean racing (if it hasn’t already) however, I do still love my SUP Downwinders.
I think we all need to support our local clubs and organisations to keep SUP competitions alive, I personally try to get to as many local run races as I can in Australia!
Thank you very much Ke’ale for your time and answers. We wish you all the very best under the Tiki brand!
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