The feel-good story of the year!
What superlatives can be written about Carissa Moore that have not already been? What fresh angle can be taken on a woman without fault? Well, here. I’ll say that even though she has won five titles, five or six, and even though she is an Olympic gold medalist, I was lightly troubled at the announcement of her return. Her legacy glistens.
Would an accidental Kelly Slater-esque degradation happen?
Shame on me, then, and of course not, for Moore just took out the Florence Pipe Pro, getting chaired up the beach with her young child in arms, the feel good story of the surfing year.
Saint Carissa met fellow Hawaiians Gabriela Bryan, Eweleiula Wong and Australian Ruby Berry in that last frame, asserting dominance directly with an 8.83. Bryan fought back, going to turns, as they say, but Moore, dominant, could not be denied and barreled her way to a 7.83 and a lifetime supply of Florence Marine X.
She doesn’t need the World Surf League Qualifying Series points, of course, as she has a wildcard to the 2026 Championship Tour season but all, including but not limited to Molly Picklum, Caitlin Simmers and last year’s number three Gabriela Bryan who just got licked.
Bravo and I will never doubt again.