On the crest of a wave Surfing champion Carissa Moore

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On the crest of a wave | Surfing champion Carissa Moore

On the crest of a wave | Surfing champion Carissa Moore

by Chris Stanton, 08/12/2011

Carissa Moore followed up her first world title in 2011 with her first SURFER Poll Award - the surfing world's equivalent of the Academy Awards.

Magazine readers voted Carissa their favourite female surfer of the year to cap an incredible 12 months for the 19-year-old. Redbull.com predicted big things for the Honolulu native in 2011 and so it proved. Here are some Moore highlights:

The youngest ever ASP Women's World Champion
Moore was declared the ASP Women’s World Champion, the youngest winner of the title, in July 2011. During the course of the 2011 tour, Moore won the Billabong Rio Pro, the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic and the Roxy Pro Gold Coast before securing the title at the Roxy Pro in Biarritz, France, finishing runner-up to former champion Stephanie Gilmore after competing in her sixth successive final (another ASP record). Carissa saw off her closest challenge, Sally Fitzgibbons, in the overall standings. It's a rivalry which seems set to dominate women's surfing for years to come.

The first Hawaiian surfing champion for 30 years
Moore became the first Hawaiian to win a world title since Margo Oberg in 1981.“It feels amazing to make all these finals and win the title,” Moore said. “I've been thinking about this since I was a little girl. Just to be here right now and being world champ is pretty crazy. I dreamed of surfing at this level my whole life since I was a little kid and I don’t think you can ever expect or anticipate the feeling."

The first woman in the modern era to compete in the men's Triple Crown of Surfing
Moore was handed a wildcard to compete at the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing on Hawaii's North Shore earlier this year. "The wildcard invites for the Triple Crown were something that I talked about and joked around with my dad about, but I never thought it would become a reality. It was a total surprise and very flattering to be given that opportunity." Carissa finished fourth in the opening event in Haleiwa in November.

Shortlisted for National Geographic's People's Choice Award
National Geographic Society shortlisted Carissa for the 2012 People's Choice Award in December. The Adventurer of the Year accolade has been running for the past seven years and rewards extraordinary achievement in exploration, conservation, and adventure sports. Click here to vote for your favourite from a list which also includes Danny MacAskill and Art of FLIGHT star Travis Rice.