Defending ASP Women’s World Surfing Tour Champion Carissa Moore is well on her way toward defending her 2011 title. Now, the American TV audience has a chance to watch the Hawaii native ride the waves this Saturday on NBC at 1:30 pm ET as Red Bull serves up its Signature Series.
Moore has already won won 6 ASP Women’s World Tour events along the way to the top of the curl in women’s surfing. This week, CraveOnline took a virtual swim with her as she prepared for this weekend’s televised competition.
CraveOnline: When did you know surfing was more than a leisure activity for you and was serious competition and a way to make your living?
Carissa Moore: I was about 10 years old when I decided I wanted to be a professional surfer and eventually a world champ.
CraveOnline: When you coach or train surfers, do you find it difficult to relay the gifts you might have as a surfer to a more novice, aspiring young person?
Carissa Moore: I have taught a few people how to surf and tried to give advice to younger girls who come to me with questions. I do find it difficult to relay specific details on how to do certain tricks or surf a wave because surfing is really based off of emotion and personal creativity.
I just try to encourage anyone who is starting off to have fun and to not get discouraged if something doesn’t click the first couple times. It eventually will, and when it does, you will be stoked.
CraveOnline: Have you come across any young talent out there that has the ability and patience to compete? How do you get a sense of that? How do you foster it?
Carissa Moore: I definitely have seen a few girls with talent that – with the right guidance and nurturing – they could go a long way. I guess you can tell if one person has potential if they have a connection with the ocean, can read a line up well and draw unique lines on a wave. You can foster that with lots of practice.
CraveOnline: Do you have any Olympic aspirations as the Summer Games seem to be warming to surfing as a sport?
Carissa Moore: I was actually getting quite excited when I was asked what I thought about surfing becoming an Olympic sport in Rio. It would be amazing to see surfing recognized worldwide and for us to be respected athletes amongst tennis, volleyball and basketball players.
It looks like recently though however that surfing was turned down as the exhibition sport for the 2016 Olympic Games.
CraveOnline: When your competing days are over, you’ll still be a surfer. But where do you see your professional life going?
Carissa Moore: I will always be a surfer and the ocean will always be a part of my life. But I do want to go back to school, further my education and become a teacher one day.
CraveOnline: Surfers have the tired reputation for being beach bums. But you’re competing athletes. Is there a way to break the public prejudice for surfers?
Carissa Moore: I think that surfers are breaking that stereotype every day. Today surfers spend countless hours in the gym, work with coaches, trainers and dietitians and are serious about what they do just like any other athlete. I think with main stream brands like Nike, Red Bull and can be respected and appreciated by a broader audience.
