Carissa Moore

Five World Championship titles and the first surfing Olympic gold medallist — Carissa Moore won gold when surfing made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 27, 1992, Carissa Kainani Moore began surfing at age five on the beaches of Waikiki. Growing up in Hawaii's rich surfing culture, she quickly demonstrated exceptional talent and competitive drive. Moore turned professional at age 16 in 2008, becoming the youngest surfer to win a professional event when she claimed victory at the Reef Hawaiian Pro that same year. Moore's professional career reached extraordinary heights through the 2010s and early 2020s. She captured her first World Surf League Championship in 2011 at age 18, becoming the youngest world champion in surfing history. This breakthrough established her as the sport's dominant force, with additional world titles following in 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2021. Her surfing style combined technical precision with an intuitive understanding of wave dynamics, allowing her to perform consistently across diverse conditions and surf breaks worldwide. The pinnacle of Moore's achievements came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she won surfing's inaugural Olympic gold medal, cementing her place in sports history. Her five World Championship titles represent one of the most successful championship runs in professional surfing. Beyond individual accolades, Moore earned recognition as ESPN's Best Female Athlete and became the first surfer to be nominated for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award. Moore's impact extends far beyond her competitive record. She transformed women's surfing through her consistent excellence and helped elevate the sport's profile during surfing's Olympic inclusion. Her success inspired a generation of young surfers, particularly women and Hawaiian athletes, while her advocacy for mental health awareness brought important conversations to professional sports. Moore's technical mastery, competitive longevity, and cultural significance established her as one of surfing's most influential figures, bridging the sport's traditional Hawaiian roots with its modern global expansion.

Powerful and progressive surfing with strong rail work and aerial maneuvers

Pioneered women's professional surfing and elevated the sport's profile through Olympic success

• WSL World Champion 5x
• Olympic Gold Tokyo 2020 (first ever surfing gold)
• ESPYS Best Female Athlete