Carissa Moore, a renowned world champion surfer, has her sight set on the 2024 Olympics. This event is not only the pinnacle of her athletic career, but also comes heralding a significant turning point in her life. In an announcement filled with bittersweet and heartfelt anticipation, Moore declared that the 2024 Olympics would most likely be her last competition, at least temporarily.
For the daring, strong-willed and tenacious surfer, this pause from the competitive circuit doesn't herald an end but a new beginning. Post the Olympics, she aspires to transition to another valuable and cherished role in life, that of motherhood. Moore is planning to start a family with her husband once the games wind up.
Reflecting on her pending transition, Moore states, "I'm not just a competitive surfer." She continues, "I'm a sister, I'm a daughter, I'm a friend, and hopefully soon, a mother. Having a family of my own is something that is incredibly important to me and holds profound significance."
Although Moore is eagerly anticipating this next phase of her life, she doesn't shy away from expressing her fears and reservations. Embarking on this journey is undoubtedly a daunting prospect, and stepping aside from her very successful surfing career is not an easy decision.
"I've really had to take a deep look within and grapple with my identity as I venture into unchartered waters," she confesses, revealing her emotionally layered journey. She adds that this decision isn't merely difficult, but fairly uncommon among female athletes given the career breaks that come with childbearing and motherhood.
Starting her surfing journey at a tender age of five with her father in Hawaii, Moore carved her reputation early. By 11, she was already a familiar name among the medal-takers at surfing competitions. The zenith of her career came at 18, when she clinched a world title, becoming the youngest person ever to achieve the mighty feat.
Having spent over a decade thereafter riding the waves, now 31, Moore believes that her sabbatical would allow her to reconnect with her passion for surfing. For her, surfing goes beyond just being a competitive sport, it’s a lifestyle, a love affair with the sea.
"I hope to continue surfing until I'm old and gray, and also hopefully, with my children one day," Moore muses, appreciating the prospect of sharing her love for the sport with her future offspring.
Moore is candid about the emotional transition she's making. She has yet to fully process the life-altering decisions she's making, recognizing that these games will undoubtedly feel different from her previous ones.
The delay of the 2020 Olympics due to the pandemic didn't dampen Moore’s spirits. After a year-long wait, she finally made her way to the beach just outside Tokyo, seizing the historic opportunity to win the first-ever Olympic gold medal in surfing.
But this time, the Olympics will take a slightly different course. Just as the rest of Team USA sets their course to France, Moore and her fellow competitors will head to French Polynesia. The competition would take place in the infamous surfing venue of Teahupo'o in Tahiti, a place known to surfers worldwide for some of the gigantic waves it produces.
The realization that this might be her final competition has left Moore feeling a mix of emotions. Looking forward, she anticipates the event with exhilaration, but she confesses, the venue - known for its massive and intimidating waves, does make her a bit nervous.
However, Moore isn't one to back out in the face of a challenge. She's quick to add, "I'm going to try my best to give myself the best chance, and hopefully, it all falls into place again."
Anyone who has followed Moore's career knows that she is a force to be reckoned with, both in the water and out. Her talent, confidence, and optimism are unquestionable and her fans are excitedly anticipating what the future holds for her.
As much as her followers will miss her regular electrifying performances on the surf, they will certainly stand by her, reveling in her new chapter of life as they had done with her surfing accolades.
For Moore, the upcoming Olympics is a grand culmination, but also a beautiful transition point. As she rides the wave of change gracefully, the world is ready to witness her inspiring journey from being a world class athlete to a world class mother.
In a nutshell, Carissa Moore, world champion surfer, soon-to-be mother, takes on every wave with grace and resilience. Her uncommon courage and spirit makes her an inspiration, and her journey is worth watching as it unfolds.