Hawaii’s most decorated surfer, Carissa Moore, is anticipating her shot at a second Olympic gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. As reported by Hawaii News Now, Moore, the only Hawaii surfer to ever win Olympic gold, treasures her deeper connection to the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku and the opportunity to compete for something "bigger than myself." In Tokyo, the surfer claimed her first gold in what was initially the 2020 games, delayed to 2021 due to the pandemic. Moore's focus has since shifted; she's traded full-time competition for Olympic preparation and time off, pursuing personal interests and promoting her mental health and wellness foundation, Moore Aloha.
Moore's preparation for the Olympics includes training at one of the most challenging waves in Tahiti, known for its "intense, intimidating" nature, as she explained in a Hawaii News Now interview. Moreover, the surfer shared her perspective on the Olympics, highlighting the novelty and grandeur of the stage compared to regular Championship Tour events. Moore has no illusions about the need for a competitive edge in the upcoming games,, and she understands that a second gold medal performance may impact her future decisions regarding the world championship and her career in competitive surfing.
According to a recent piece by Outside, Moore’s training regimen has been intense; she has been focusing on both physical and mental preparation, consulting with a psychologist and visualizing her performance. During the interview, she shared her respect for Teahupo’o’s majestic and fearsome nature, highlighting the wave’s demand for a surfer’s complete presence and surrender to the moment, a quality she seeks to embody as she faces this formidable challenge.
The Olympic competition is no small feat, as it brings together the crème de la crème of surfing in a unique environment that requires a collaborative team spirit among athletes typically seen as rivals. Teahupo’o itself is an unforgiving wave that has only recently been reintroduced to the women’s professional surf tour after a 15-year hiatus, adding not just a technical but also a significant psychological test to the event. Moore acknowledges the role of local Tahitian surfer Vahine Fierro as a top competitor in Tahiti and, in the same breath, acknowledges the capability and skill within the roster of international talent detailed to Outside.
The upcoming Olympic games hold another layer of significance for Moore; she plans to retire from professional surfing afterward. She conveyed to Outside her desire for a future filled with joy, purpose, and, of course, surfing - whether or not that includes competition. Moore envisions an authentic life that continues to inspire others through her charitable work and personal journey. Post-Olympics, Moore aims to reassess her path forward but she is certain that surfing and her dedicated work with her charitable foundation will remain central to her everyday life.
.jpg){kind=link}