Retiring After Paris Olympics 2024, Surfing Star Carissa Moore Shares Her Take on Shaping New Identity: “It Was Really Scary”

In the past few years, Carissa Moore has become one of the household names in the surfing world. Not only did she carve a niche for herself, but she also opened the door to opportunities for several aspiring women surfers as well. Her five world championship titles and becoming the first woman ever to win an Olympic gold in surfing have been a few of the accolades that speak to the volume of her talent and surfing prowess.

However, after reaching the pinnacle of success and inspiring a bunch of youngsters, the 31-year-old American prodigy is on the verge of calling it a day after the Paris Olympics in 2024. Carissa Moore got candid about her retirement decision and the emotions tied to leaving behind a lasting legacy. She also expressed her perspective on forging a new identity.

When a titan bows out after a dominant run

The Olympian appeared on Shangri La’s YouTube channel for their exclusive “Doris Duke Visionary Voices: Women, Creativity & Power” show, where she had a conversation about her career, her new identity, and then retirement. When Meredith Artley, the host of the show, asked her to shed some light on earlier pointers, Moore stated, “It’s been a few weeks, maybe a little bit over a month, since I made my announcement that I decided to step away from competing full time, and at first it was really scary.” On her new identity, Moore adds that she’s lost and is“enjoying and embracing being lost.”

The Honolulu native also added that she was scared about what people would think, as there are certain expectations from her of what she would be doing if not surfing, especially considering the potential she still has. She further stated that she had had an urge for a while to try her hands on new things, particularly after she became the world and Olympic champion. Moreover, Carissa Moore also uncovered her off-court endeavors and what she would be doing after hanging her surfboard.

Carissa Moore ventures off the erratic waves

Apart from being one of the faces of women surfing, Moore also runs a charitable foundation named “Moore Aloha,“ and when questioned about what she wants to do with it and what the goals of her foundation are, she replies, “I started my charitable foundation, Moore Aloha, in 2018. Moore Aloha means more love. It was always a dream of mine to use my life experiences to help other girls and women create a life of positivity, passion, and purpose.”

She aims to help the next generation and the women out there with mental health and wellness. Carissa Moore’s foundation is also running mentorship programs, events, and camps, and the organization also had a global exchange recently. She remains focused on inspiring the next generation, a mission she has already made significant strides in through her remarkable surfing and off-court endeavors.

Read More: “Grateful for It”: World No. 3 Surfing Star Goes Candid About Her Siblings’ Impact on Her Stellar Career