After pursuing a repeat Olympic gold medal this summer, Carissa Moore has decided to step away from competitive surfing to embark on a long-planned journey of starting a family. Expressing her sentiments on social media, Moore shared that maintaining the same level of competitive intensity has become increasingly challenging in recent years. She emphasized the transient nature of victories and the fleeting emotions associated with them. Moore questioned the need for more titles, stating that she won’t continue solely for empty wins and believes there must be more meaning to her endeavors.
Moore’s agent confirmed her decision to have a condensed competition schedule for the upcoming season, starting with the first World Surf League contest at Banzai Pipeline in her native Hawaii in late January and early February. Subsequently, she will participate in the Olympic surfing competition in Tahiti, followed by a WSL contest in May at the same location.
While Moore is taking a break from competitive surfing, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning in the future, possibly even aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Despite stepping back, she has already secured a spot in the Paris Games based on her 2023 WSL results, where she finished second in the season standings behind Caroline Marks. The U.S. Olympic surfing team also includes Caity Simmers, who ranked fourth in the WSL standings.
A seasoned surfer with five world championships, Moore’s journey began with her first crown in 2011 at the age of 19. As the sport made its Olympic debut in Tokyo, she leaves the door open for a potential return to competitive surfing, embracing the possibility of doing so as a mother.
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