By Alfred Acenas
EBC Hawaii-Pacific Bureau
HONOLULU (Eagle News) – 2021 can very well be considered a banner year for top-ranking professional surfer Carissa Moore.
Moore’s victory at the World Surf League’s (WSL) Rip Curl Women’s Finals in San Clemente, California on Tuesday, September 14, has cemented her place as 2021 World Champion, her fifth in her already storied career.
According to the league, her most recent win caps off what may be one of the most successful seasons in the history of professional surfing.
On July 27, the Honolulu native made history by winning the gold medal in surfing’s debut at the 2020 Olympic Games, besting contenders from Brazil and Japan.
“It’s been a crazy couple of days, a little bit of a rollercoaster of emotions just trying to figure out the break, find my rhythm, learning how to trust myself without my family here,” said the 28-year old, describing her experience competing in Tokyo. “I’m very proud and honored.”
On August 5, Hawaii Governor David Ige honored her at a ceremony, proclaiming “Carissa Moore Day.”
“I am truly overwhelmed with all the love I’ve been shown,” Moore quipped. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my ‘ohana, my friends and family, the community of people in Hawaii that raised me to represent the United States, but especially Hawaii. My home, my heart is Hawaii.”
Moore recalled feeling inspired by a documentary she watched about fellow Hawaiian and pro surfing pioneer Duke Kahanamoku before flying to Japan for the Olympics.
“He was an Olympic champion, but more so a champion human and how he treated people with kindness,” she said. “I hope we can all live his way. To be a Native Hawaiian, to be part of his story, to bring the gold medal back home to the birthplace of surfing, I feel so honored.”
Even before entering the WSL Championship Tour in 2007, Carissa Moore had already racked up an unprecedented eleven national titles during her amateur career at the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA).
After working her way up the pro rankings and being named Rookie of the Year in 2010, Moore claimed her first world title in 2011. She would eventually win the World Championship again in 2013, 2015, and 2019.
(Eagle News Service)