Overview
Top Hat (real name: Kevin Senn) is a kiteboarder and surfer from the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. He is widely loved for his trademark top hat that he always wears out on the water, to the extent that he officially entered world competitions under the name “Top Hat”. His highly unusual entry name has prompted event commentators to share affectionate jokes, such as noting that his first name is “Top” and his last name is “Hat”, cementing his status as a beloved character in the scene.
Career
He is a veteran rider who stays true to his old-school style. While many riders utilize depower and ride hooked-in, he primarily focuses on unhooked riding. Using short, wide fish-style boards, he excels at throwing massive spray from his bottom turns. Concrete records show his long-standing influence: he was credited as an official team rider in a 2006 gear guide. In 2012, he entered the KSP (Kite Surf Pro) Wave World Championship at Ho’okipa, Maui, as a local wildcard under his real name, Kevin ‘Top Hat’ Senn. Furthermore, he was featured in his signature strapless kite movie “Solid Wood” released in 2013, solidifying his historical presence in the sport.
Sponsors & Brands
In the 2006 kiteboarding industry gear guide, he was officially credited under his real name, Kevin Senn, as a team rider assisting in test development for brands such as Severne Kites.
Personality & Relationships
Known as an entertainer on the water, he is highly engaging and often performs stylish no-footers for the crowd. When entering a heat, the commentators officially called him out with, “Top Hat, also known as Kevin Senn, coming from North Shore of Oahu.” He is widely respected not just as a competitor, but as an old-school Hawaiian local legend who laughs in the face of rigid competitive rules.
Search Aliases: Kevin 'Top Hat' Senn, Kevin'TopHat'Senn, Kevin Senn, KevinSenn, Top Hat, TopHat