Carissa Moore is part of a very small, very elite group of surfers to have amassed four World Titles, the product of a ruthless, competitive drive. But beyond the accolades, this all-time great is equally celebrated for the boundless positivity she continues to display while chasing her dreams.
Now, for the first time, we are getting an unprecedented look at Moore's life in the new documentary, "RISS. A Film about More Love with Carissa Kainani Moore." The film, by acclaimed directer Peter Hamblin, is based around the the 2019 World Surf League Championship Tour season and Moore's pursuit of Olympic qualification. The full film is available on Red Bull TV and is now streaming on the WSL website.
The documentary celebrates a comeback that was the culmination of years of hard work, capturing how the 2019 Title Race unfolded.
"My goal was to peel back layers and show the person behind the athlete," says Hamblin.
"Everyone sees this one perspective of her, and [I wanted] to show the depth of her personality and what a wonderful person she is," he says.
From being the youngest WSL World Champion in history, to her consistent dominance last year, here are five reasons you need to check it out:
Carissa Moore Is One Of The Most Dominant Surfers In History
Carissa Moore is part of a small clique of athletes who have achieved four or more World Titles, including the likes of Stephanie Gilmore, Layne Beachley, Mark Richards and Kelly Slater. And at age 18, she became the youngest person ever to win a Title. She's amassed more than 20 CT victories since 2010, and in that time has never finished ranked lower than fifth in the world.
- WSL / Ben Thouard
She's Not Afraid To Compete Against Anyone
Not only has Moore helped set a new standard on the women's Championship Tour, in 2011 she became the first woman to compete in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Typically an all-male series of events, largely considered to be one of surfing's most demanding tests as the Triple Crown is held is some of the heaviest, powerful waves in Hawaii. Moore was undaunted.
Having grown up competing in events on the North Shore, she felt right at home in the power. And even as a child prodigy, she spent her formative years competing against future World Champions like John John Florence, and even won the Quiksilver King of the Groms, beating a young Albee Layer in the Final.
- WSL / Peter H. Hamblin
She's Not Afraid To Make Changes
Carissa is one of the most successful surfers ever, but "RISS" illustrates how her emotional journey has forced her to reevaluate her outlook. Following her third Title in 2015, she went into a bit of a competitive slump. Other women dominated the podium while she struggled to find her footing, which ultimately made her rethink her priorities and how she approached competitive surfing.
"I've always been chasing results and other people's validation. In 2019, I was finally like, ‘No, none of that matters. I'm a daughter, I'm a sister. I'm a friend, I'm a wife", says Moore in a statement to Red Bull Media House.
- WSL / Ben Thouard
She's Set To Become An Olympian
Moore is one of only two American women that will represent the United States at the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games. While there's some uncertainly around the specifics of the Games right now due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, its an honor that she's worked her lifetime to achieve. In the true spirit of aloha, over 100 years ago the great Olympic gold medalist and surfing ambassador Duke Kahanamoku spoke of hopefully seeing surfing in the Olympics someday.
And now, whenever the Games do take place, it will be a young woman that learned to surf in Waikiki waving the Red, White and Blue flag.
- WSL / Ben Thouard
She's A Champion For Important Causes
Moore continues to be a role model in and out of the water. In 2010, after winning her first CT event in New Zealand, she donated her entire cheque to the local boardriders club in recognition of their hospitality. Over the years she has spoken openly about the dangers of binge eating, sexism, and body shaming.
Several years ago she founded the group Moore Aloha, which endeavors to empower young girls and women in Hawaii and throughout Polynesia by using the ocean as a sacred teaching space. Her commitment to her community and environment have made her a true champion in every sense of the word.
- WSL / Peter H. Hamblin
Watch the full film on Red Bull TV.
Five Moore Things You Need To Know About "RISS"
Ben Collins
Carissa Moore is part of a very small, very elite group of surfers to have amassed four World Titles, the product of a ruthless, competitive drive. But beyond the accolades, this all-time great is equally celebrated for the boundless positivity she continues to display while chasing her dreams.
Now, for the first time, we are getting an unprecedented look at Moore's life in the new documentary, "RISS. A Film about More Love with Carissa Kainani Moore." The film, by acclaimed directer Peter Hamblin, is based around the the 2019 World Surf League Championship Tour season and Moore's pursuit of Olympic qualification. The full film is available on Red Bull TV and is now streaming on the WSL website.
The documentary celebrates a comeback that was the culmination of years of hard work, capturing how the 2019 Title Race unfolded.
"My goal was to peel back layers and show the person behind the athlete," says Hamblin.
"Everyone sees this one perspective of her, and [I wanted] to show the depth of her personality and what a wonderful person she is," he says.
From being the youngest WSL World Champion in history, to her consistent dominance last year, here are five reasons you need to check it out:
Carissa Moore Is One Of The Most Dominant Surfers In History
Carissa Moore is part of a small clique of athletes who have achieved four or more World Titles, including the likes of Stephanie Gilmore, Layne Beachley, Mark Richards and Kelly Slater. And at age 18, she became the youngest person ever to win a Title. She's amassed more than 20 CT victories since 2010, and in that time has never finished ranked lower than fifth in the world.
She's Not Afraid To Compete Against Anyone
Not only has Moore helped set a new standard on the women's Championship Tour, in 2011 she became the first woman to compete in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Typically an all-male series of events, largely considered to be one of surfing's most demanding tests as the Triple Crown is held is some of the heaviest, powerful waves in Hawaii. Moore was undaunted.
Having grown up competing in events on the North Shore, she felt right at home in the power. And even as a child prodigy, she spent her formative years competing against future World Champions like John John Florence, and even won the Quiksilver King of the Groms, beating a young Albee Layer in the Final.
She's Not Afraid To Make Changes
Carissa is one of the most successful surfers ever, but "RISS" illustrates how her emotional journey has forced her to reevaluate her outlook. Following her third Title in 2015, she went into a bit of a competitive slump. Other women dominated the podium while she struggled to find her footing, which ultimately made her rethink her priorities and how she approached competitive surfing.
"I've always been chasing results and other people's validation. In 2019, I was finally like, ‘No, none of that matters. I'm a daughter, I'm a sister. I'm a friend, I'm a wife", says Moore in a statement to Red Bull Media House.
She's Set To Become An Olympian
Moore is one of only two American women that will represent the United States at the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games. While there's some uncertainly around the specifics of the Games right now due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, its an honor that she's worked her lifetime to achieve. In the true spirit of aloha, over 100 years ago the great Olympic gold medalist and surfing ambassador Duke Kahanamoku spoke of hopefully seeing surfing in the Olympics someday.
And now, whenever the Games do take place, it will be a young woman that learned to surf in Waikiki waving the Red, White and Blue flag.
She's A Champion For Important Causes
Moore continues to be a role model in and out of the water. In 2010, after winning her first CT event in New Zealand, she donated her entire cheque to the local boardriders club in recognition of their hospitality. Over the years she has spoken openly about the dangers of binge eating, sexism, and body shaming.
Several years ago she founded the group Moore Aloha, which endeavors to empower young girls and women in Hawaii and throughout Polynesia by using the ocean as a sacred teaching space. Her commitment to her community and environment have made her a true champion in every sense of the word.
Watch the full film on Red Bull TV.
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