Carissa Moore Wins Gidget Pro

Carissa Moore attacked the waves at Sunset Beach with amazing poise throughout the Gidget Pro to eventually win on her home Island of Oahu. The final day of the contest with the world’s finest female surfers was run in solid 10 to 18 foot surf at Sunset Beach. In preparation for the North Shore season, Moore started training with big-wave surfers Pancho Sullivan and Myles Padaca. They held surf sessions in virtually every type of condition to prepare her for big waves at Sunset Beach.

Moore clinched the four-woman final when she completed a free-fall drop down a 15-foot wave face, then managed to maneuver her board back up the wave for a big carve off the top, and score of 7.57 (out of 10). Moore’s two-wave total of 14.24 was enough to win. Other top finishers on this second stop of the prestigious Vans Triple Crown were Sally Fitzgibbons of Australia in second with 13.07, Stephanie Gilmore of Australia in third with 12.17, and Alana Blanchard of Kaua’i was fourth with 11.17.

“It’s such an honor,” Carissa said. “I’m speechless right now. I never thought that I would make the Final in this event. All of the girls were surfing so well and congratulations to Steph (Gilmore) for winning the World Title.” Last year, Moore became the youngest surfer to win a Triple Crown of Surfing event when she won the Hawaiian Pro at Hale’iwa Ali’i Beach. Next year, she will become an official member on the ASP Women’s Tour for her first full season.