Global skateboarding sensation
Kahlei Stone-Kelly, 2, youngest son of April Stone and Meka Kelly, mokopuna of Karl and Bernie Stone and great-mokopuna of the late Priscilla and David Stone, has become a global sensation after a clip of him showing his skateboarding skills posted on YouTube went viral last month.
The whānau moved from Auckland to Melbourne in 2013 to provide the talented family of skate boarders bigger and better opportunities. All of Kahlei’s seven older siblings, aged 6-17 years are accomplished skateboarders and have won awards both in New Zealand and Australia.
The tamariki have been encouraged and supported by their parents to pursue their dreams of becoming professional skateboarders one day. Their father Meka Kelly (Ngāpuhi) a veteran skateboarder and their Mum- April Stone (Ngāti Wheke), chief supporter and backbone of the whānau, believe it is important for their kids to be “off the couch and away from playstations” and out together as a whānau, honing their skateboarding skills.
It is no suprise then, that the pōtiki (baby) Kahlei has been brought up with talented skateboarders and therefore could skate before he could walk. However, what has amazed whānau and friends is his incredible confidence and ability to undertake manoeuvres on the board that even many adults wouldn’t attempt.
Since the internet clip of Kahlei went viral last month, he has been called “the youngest skateboarder in the world” and even the Ozzies have claimed him. The whānau have been overwhelmed with requests from media around the world to interview them and share their story about this amazing little mokopuna of ours from Rāpaki.
We, his Rāpaki whānau are very proud of Kahlei and especially his parents April and Meka for all their hard work and committment to provide the opportunities for their tamariki to pursue their dreams. Kia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui.
Kahlei Stone-Kelly.
The Stone-Kelly skateboarding whānau. Dad (Meka) is holding Kahlei in the centre, surrounded by Kahlei’s skateboarding siblings.