Smoking fools.
Is there currently a better story in surfing than that of Carissa Moore? The new mother came out of retirement ahead of the 2026 World Surf League Championship Tour season in order to give the singlet life another crack. “I’m really excited for the opportunity to compete again on the Championship Tour,” Moore told the WSL at the time. “To put my jersey back on after having a baby feels like such a win. Competing at the highest level of surfing is something I don’t take for granted, and I’m so grateful to be feeling healthy and reinvigorated. I want my journey to show my daughter, and hopefully other women, that we can do anything; we can keep chasing our dreams, even as life evolves. I’m looking forward to sharing this next chapter with her and experiencing it together as a family.”
There was much curiosity around how the 33-year-old would stack up against the brash young crew that has burst onto the scene over the past few years. The Cailtlin Simmers and Molly Picklums and Gabriela Bryans et. al.
There was even, it must be said, some light snickering amongst that crew. The Bettylou Sakura Johnsons saying that Moore, and the rest of the old guard, would get “smoked” by the new schoolers.
Well, Moore stumbled out of the gate, at Bells, with a ninth, found some form at Margaret River with a fifth, stumbled again on the Gold Coast, again rolling ninth, before exploding to an inspirational win at the New Zealand Pro.
The tour is now in El Salvador, of course, with Moore showing that she might have what it takes to beat them all after mowing down Brissa Hennessy in round 2 uncorking a full rotation air while so doing.
She will face current world number one Luna Silva in the quarters and vault herself to number one, I think, with a victory. She is currently fourth.
But did you see this coming a place a prediction market bet?
Will you share if you win?
