Carissa’s Excellent Summer Rolls On
Please Don’t Pinch Carissa Moore.
She’s living a dream right now and would like nothing more than to continue this endless summer of success and memories. 2014 has already been one to remember for the Punahou School graduate. In fact, her midsummer dream is moving along like a classic romance, and she’s just getting started.
mw-mizutani-072314-wave
On Top of The World
After five events, the two-time world champion leads the ASP World Championship Tour and continues to wear the tour’s coveted yellow jersey.
“It’s a different thing they brought onto the tour this year,” says Moore. “If you’re wearing the yellow jersey, it symbolizes that you’re leading the tour. It’s kind of cool, and it puts a little fun pressure on the person who is on top.”
And she’d like to stay there with another positive showing at the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach.
“I’m surfing well right now, and I feel good about going back to Huntington Beach,” says Moore. “There’s going to be a lot of excitement there.”
Hall of Fame Induction
That’s an understatement. Besides the world celebrating 100 years of surfing at Surf City USA, Moore and two others, filmmaker Timmy Turner and surfboard shaper Rusty Preisendorfer, will have their footprints and hands immortalized in cement when they’re inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame Aug. 1. And because she’ll be preparing for the U.S. Open, Moore will have a special early ceremony held in her honor July 25.
“It’s an incredible honor,” she says humbly. “When I first got the invitation I was so flattered, but I was like, are you sure, this is only the beginning of my career. But I so appreciate it, and I’m so honored to be a part of it. It will be incredible — Kelly Slater, Lisa Anderson, all the greats of our sport have put their hands in the cement at Huntington Beach. I really can’t beat it.”
Moore to Cheer About
Moore is still riding high after her 17-year-old sister Cayla won the High School Girls Varsity shortboard title at the 2014 National Scholastic of Surfing Association (NSSA) Interscholastic Championship in California.
“I am so proud of my sister, she went up to California with the Kamehameha team and they did great,” says Moore. “She’s surfing incredible and I’m just happy for her!”
And the Winner Is
On July 16, Moore had even more to smile about as she sat in the audience at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, as ESPN’s ESPY awards were handed out to some of the world’s finest athletes. Moore was one of five women nominated in the Female Action Sports Athlete category.
“It’s crazy, to be nominated for an ESPY is ridiculous!” says an excited Moore. “I mean just to be in the presence of these names is crazy. Hopefully I can take a couple of pictures with maybe Peyton Manning or LeBron James.”
Snowboarder Jamie Anderson won the award, but Moore was grateful for the nomination.
“So stoked to be here,” she said on her Instagram page. “Pretty rad to be around such incredible athletes. Never have been into any other sports other than surfing, but watching and reflecting on all the hard work, dedication and moments in sports this year is truly inspiring. Congratulations Jamie Anderson on winning best female action sports athlete! You’re amazing”
On iTunes
On July 14, Moore showed just how talented she really is when she made her musical debut. Moore teamed with Kevin Okimoto of Opihi Pickers and released Love Down on You on iTunes.
“It’s really cool, Kevin is one of my really good friends and I surf with him at Kewalos (on Oahu’s south shore) all the time,” laughs Moore. “He’s a great singer and has an album coming out really soon. I was lucky enough that he invited me to record a song with him.”
She laughs at the thought of second career.
“I hope everyone likes it because it was a lot of fun and I learned a lot during the process,” she says, almost embarrassed. “I’m just thankful for the opportunity. At least I can say I did it once.
“It’s been a pretty amazing year.”
Continuing the Dream
So, again, please don’t pinch Carissa Moore. This is one dream no one wants to see come to an end.
rkmizutani@gmail.com
