What do we say about this 5-time world champion that hasn’t already been said yet? Carissa Moore fell in love with the ocean at the tender age of 5. Her father, Chris Moore encouraged her to take the plunge and the rest is history! She started her professional surfing journey in 2010 at the formerly known ASP World Tour at 17! Despite it being her first; she found herself in the top 3 by the end of it. What’s even better? She was also awarded the Rookie of the Year title.

The Hawaiian continued rising up the ranks as the years went by. Women’s surfing was set to make its debut at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and Moore had punched her way to the Japanese capital to represent the nation. To no one’s surprise, the surfing legend clinched the first-ever Olympic gold medal in the sport, solidifying her status as the GOAT. As the 2024 Paris Olympics inches closer, many are set to watch Moore’s enthralling performance on the waves as she defends her Olympic title for one last time. As she prepares to bid adieu to the sport in the French capital, many fans want to know.

All about the Moore Family

Carissa Moore stepped onto the open waters at a very young age. Her father, Chris, was a competitive swimmer and taught her how to surf at Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Once she tried it out, Moore recalls getting hooked immediately. Her mother, Carol Lum, was adopted by Chinese parents. This led to Moore and her sister Cayla Mooreto grow up with Chinese as well as Hawaiian traditions. Her parents divorced when she was 10-years-old and Carissa had a decision to make.

Her father lived closer to the ocean, while her mother was more land-bound. But her love for both her father and the ocean led to her living with him. Her sister, Cayla Moore followed her big sister’s footsteps and is a pro surfer herself! Cayla won her first national title at 17-years-old. Not too far off from the surfing legend herself! She also enjoys a good game of water polo, something she’s stated has helped with her surfing skills.

The sisters have always been like two peas in a pod. While Carissa might be an Olympian, she will always be Cayla’s sister first. She has previously opened up about how Carissa is her surf buddy and has continued to encourage her throughout her professional career. While Moore doesn’t give her much input about her surfing, Cayla mentioned how she would always give her feedback if she liked something her sister did.

The sisters are particularly close to their father, Chris, and always go on several trips together. On their most recent trip to Fiji, Cayla highlighted how they just enjoyed their time surfing. Contrary to popular belief, the sisters don’t really contest amongst each other. Their dynamic is nothing short of perfect. What has Chris’ role been in Moore’s stellar career? Let’s find out!

The surfing icon’s dad is her biggest cheerleader

Carissa Moore has had a stellar career. Before even making her first professional debut at the World Surf League in 2017, the Olympian had set the bar for expectations high. She first started out at NSSA junior surf competitions and her impressive skills got her a spot at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. She has accumulated 11 NSSA amateur titles, and shocked everyone by winning the Reef Hawaiian Pro in 2008. Why is that so surprising? Carissa Moore had etched her name in the history books by being the youngest champion at a Triple Crown surfing event.

Her father has always been ever so supportive! Chris has been her longtime coach. However, their relationship transcends that. Her father was also an artist, and was responsible for creating the most memorable bit of her surfing journey. Moore’s boards feature a distinct wing-style spray. This was something Chris had created just for her. In 2019, he spray painted her board yet again to remind her of the joys surfing brought her as a child. Her father has dove deep into their relationship and the challenges they faced in his book, First Priority: A Father’s Journey in Raising World Champion Surfer Carissa Moore.

Carissa Moore has solidified her status of a surfing legend early on in her career. But all of this came full circle when her hometown, Honolulu, recognized her contributions to the sport. On October 6, 2021, the mayor declared the day as Carissa Moore Day and handed her the keys to the city as well. With just 21 days to go, Moore is looking to add one more Olympic gold to her collection of accolades before she retires for a quiet life with her high-school sweetheart turned husband, Luke Untermann. Will you be watching her repeat history at the French capital? Let us know in the comments!