Carissa Moore recharges in Hawaii after back-to-back World Surf League wins

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Carissa Moore’s return to the World Surf League has been a constant highlight reel, with back-to-back Championship Tour wins in New Zealand and El Salvador.

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“It’s been a dream come true to get to travel and be on tour with my family,” Moore told Hawaii News Now.

What made the 5-time world champion’s 29th and 30th career Championship-Tour wins stand out: having her daughter, Olena, watching on the shore.

“Win or lose, I really do feel like I’m winning when I come into her and her smile,” Moore said. “She’s been giving me that extra motivation and perspective to just like take a deep breath and know that all of this is really like a bonus and to be really grateful.”

Moore’s full-time return to tour comes with being a full-time mom.

“I don’t get to nap as much as I used to, but she does fuel me in different ways and gives me strength that I never knew I had,” Moore said. “I’m really, really happy to be a mom and it’s really been the best role yet.”

Her first win since her return was back in New Zealand, a full circle moment for Moore. Not only did she share the win with her ohana, it was also the same place she won her first WSL event back in 2010.

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“I think just going into that event there was a little bit of doubt if I could do this and very similar to my rookie year,” Moore said. “I kind of had a very hard start and so I felt right at home there and it really fell into place.”

Moore is coming off a fifth-place finish in the Rio Pro, and while there’s a break in the WSL season, she’s back home for a meet-and-greet.

“Honestly there’s no better way to recharge than coming home to Hawaii and being just around familiar places surfing my favorite spots,” Moore said. “Eating my favorite foods.”

Moore was at the Waikele Premium Outlets debuting her latest apparel collaboration with Hurley. Proceeds go back to her Moore Aloha Foundation.

“Getting to just be around the community that is filled with aloha,” Moore said. “It’s been pretty full on this year traveling with my daughter and my husband, but it’s been so much fun, we’re making some joyful memories and we’re looking forward to the second half of the season.”

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Moore will be back in action next month at the Tahiti Pro.