Kili and Nakoa

Embrace the chop.
These are the wise words of Nakoa, an old man Kili meets while surfing one morning. Kili sees Nakoa riding the choppiest wave with amazing ease. Stunned at his seemly-impossible act, Kili asks how he rode the wave. Through Nakoa's words, Kili learns not just how to be a better surfer, but also how determination, courage, and accepting support can enrich his life.
Kili and Nakoa draws inspiration from the Bible and teaches readers that even the roughest waves can be ridden with help from others.

Conner Derelioglu is a student at Texas A&M University pursuing a bachelor's degree in management, with plans to graduate in the spring of 2024. He grew up in Orange County, California, and moved to Houston, Texas, when he was eleven years old, where he has been ever since. Experiencing two distinct places with very different cultures made a large impact on Conner and shaped the person he is today. Initially, the surfing culture in Southern California sparked an interest in Conner at a young age; however, he did not begin surfing until he was a junior in high school. He often frequented the beaches of Surfside and Galveston on the Texas coast.
Along with surfing, Conner's other interests include investing in his relationship with the Lord, spending time with his friends and family, and connecting with the special needs community. He is also passionate about prioritizing his physical and mental health, traveling, real estate investment, cooking, the outdoors, and now his book, Kili and Nakoa.
Instagram: @ConnerDerelioglu