Carissa Moore: From Waikiki to Changing the History of Women's Surfing
- Ayelet Fuentes Guerra
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Before becoming a five-time world champion and Olympic medalist, she was already a standout from a young age, having won 11 amateur titles.
Born on August 27, 1992, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the surfer grew up in an environment that would shape her life from a very young age. Surrounded by surf culture, it was her father, Chris Moore, who first took her to the water to surf when she was just five years old in Waikiki.
During her childhood, Moore spent much of her time between school and the ocean. While studying at Punahou School in Honolulu, she used her free time to develop her skills in the water and begin to read the waves.
The Beginning of a Promising Performance
At age 12, she decided to make surfing her passion, accumulating a total of 11 amateur titles from the National School Surfing Association (NSSA) during her teenage years. In that process, she faced older surfers, both men and women, to develop the competitive spirit that would define her career.
In the water, she always stood out for her fluid and powerful style, something uncommon for her age, which in 2008, at just 16 years old, would bear fruit and leave her mark on history by winning the Reef Hawaiian Pro, becoming the youngest champion in an event of the prestigious Hawaiian Triple Crown.
This competition would mark the beginning of her rise to the elite of world surfing, and two years later she would make her professional debut. Her first season on the Tour in 2010 was impressive: she won two events, finished third in the world rankings, and was named Rookie of the Year.
However, for Carissa, that was just a warm-up; a year later, at 18, she became the youngest world champion in history, surpassing established figures in women's surfing.
Since then, she has amassed a total of five world titles throughout her career and, in 2021, reached a new milestone by winning the gold medal in surfing's Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Thanks to her style, characterized by a blend of power and technique, she has demonstrated her skill in demanding and iconic surf spots around the world, such as Teahupo'o, Jeffreys Bay, and Hossegor, where she combines deep barrels, critical maneuvers, and a precise reading of the waves.
Part of her career was also portrayed in the documentary RISS, directed by Peter Hamblin, which follows the surfer during the 2019 season and reveals the more personal side of the champion, including the mental and emotional challenges she faced on her path to the top.
She redefined women's surfing
For over a decade at the elite level, Moore raised the bar for women's surfing, demonstrating that it could be just as progressive and demanding as the men's game. She contributed to greater visibility and recognition for women in the sport.
Her impact, however, extended beyond competition; in 2018, she created the Moore Aloha Foundation, an organization focused on empowering girls and young women through surfing, mentorship, and community, thus solidifying a legacy that transcends athletic achievements.
Her story isn't just about surfing
Beyond competition, in 2017 she married the love of her life, Luke Untermann, whom she met during her school years. The couple has built a life together marked by the tranquility of the ocean, sharing their days between surfing, nature, and their dogs.
Following this same path, Moore decided to take a break in 2024 to focus on her personal life. Shortly after, she and her husband welcomed their first daughter, beginning a new chapter away from the competitive circuit. However, true to her competitive spirit, she returned to the water in 2026, traveling with her baby to various competitions.
Today, Carissa Moore continues to live in Hawaii, where it all began. From Waikiki Beach to the most demanding stages in the world, the five-time WSL champion not only conquered titles but also demonstrated that talent, discipline, and passion can change the history of women's surfing.
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