When the Maui Pro -- the last event of the women's Championship Tour season -- starts November 23, Hawaiian Carissa Moore will be paddling out as the two-time winner and defending champion of the event. Last year, Moore arrived in Honolua Bay with Title race pressure on her in full effect. This time, with the Title already decided and sitting at No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard, Carissa can relax. The 3x World Champ has had somewhat of a tough season, claiming her first victory of the year last month at the Roxy Pro France.
With a combination of that momentum, then, and a lethal backhand attack, her confidence will likely be high heading into this year's event. Not to mention her track record at Maui's Honolua Bay: Setting aside her back-to-back wins there, her Final last year against Sally Fitzgibbons was arguably one of the best heats of the season. In pumping surf, each of them went blow for blow, upping their scores with every wave. Moore ended up closing the heat with a perfect barrel that earned her a 10-point ride, solidifying her win over Sally. Righthand point breaks suit Carissa's style, and she'll be gunning for a final win at the season's close.
Before taking on her hometown event, Moore shared her outlook and what she's looking forward to most in Maui.
WSL: What do you like most about the Maui Pro?
Carissa Moore: I love competing at home. I love the energy of the ocean here and performing in front of family and friends.
Because the Title has already been decided, does that change your approach at all? What's your mindset going in?
Mindset is the same... I just want to go out there, have fun and put on a show. There is no World Title pressure but there is still that desire to want to perform at my best.
Moore became the 2015 World Champ early on in the event, after Coco Ho defeated Courtney Conlogue in Round Four. - WSL / Poullenot/Aquashot
What does your training schedule currently look like?
I've been surfing a lot. The waves have been good at home! Yoga two times and on land training three times a week. Lots of sleeping and trying my best to stay away from muffins! It's hard though!
Having won the event two years in a row, what is it about this wave that suits your style?
I love righthand point breaks with a bit of power.
During the Final last year Moore opened the Heat with a 9.5 and followed it up with a perfect 10-point barrel. - WSL / Poullenot/Aquashot
You've had a little break between Europe and the upcoming event. What have you been up to?
I've just been enjoying home and family and getting back into a normal routine.
Are you thinking at all about next year?
Not yet. One event, one heat, one wave at a time :).
Catch the women in Maui live daily on the WSL website and app from November 23 - December 5.
Carissa Moore Has Reason to Love the Maui Pro
Ali Shrode
When the Maui Pro -- the last event of the women's Championship Tour season -- starts November 23, Hawaiian Carissa Moore will be paddling out as the two-time winner and defending champion of the event. Last year, Moore arrived in Honolua Bay with Title race pressure on her in full effect. This time, with the Title already decided and sitting at No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard, Carissa can relax. The 3x World Champ has had somewhat of a tough season, claiming her first victory of the year last month at the Roxy Pro France.
With a combination of that momentum, then, and a lethal backhand attack, her confidence will likely be high heading into this year's event. Not to mention her track record at Maui's Honolua Bay: Setting aside her back-to-back wins there, her Final last year against Sally Fitzgibbons was arguably one of the best heats of the season. In pumping surf, each of them went blow for blow, upping their scores with every wave. Moore ended up closing the heat with a perfect barrel that earned her a 10-point ride, solidifying her win over Sally. Righthand point breaks suit Carissa's style, and she'll be gunning for a final win at the season's close.
Before taking on her hometown event, Moore shared her outlook and what she's looking forward to most in Maui.
WSL: What do you like most about the Maui Pro?
Carissa Moore: I love competing at home. I love the energy of the ocean here and performing in front of family and friends.
Because the Title has already been decided, does that change your approach at all? What's your mindset going in?
Mindset is the same... I just want to go out there, have fun and put on a show. There is no World Title pressure but there is still that desire to want to perform at my best.
What does your training schedule currently look like?
I've been surfing a lot. The waves have been good at home! Yoga two times and on land training three times a week. Lots of sleeping and trying my best to stay away from muffins! It's hard though!
Having won the event two years in a row, what is it about this wave that suits your style?
I love righthand point breaks with a bit of power.
You've had a little break between Europe and the upcoming event. What have you been up to?
I've just been enjoying home and family and getting back into a normal routine.
Are you thinking at all about next year?
Not yet. One event, one heat, one wave at a time :).
Catch the women in Maui live daily on the WSL website and app from November 23 - December 5.
Carissa Moore
Born on Oahu's South Shore in 1992, Carissa Moore grew up like so many Hawaiian groms, learning to surf at Waikiki as waves like Baby
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