Even when thousands of miles sometimes separate them on Father’s Day, the ocean manages to bring surfer Carissa Moore and her father, Chris, together.
The water has been their playground and a shared, enduring bond for most of her 26 years.
“My dad has always shown me his love and affection by spending time with me,” Carissa said in an email interview while competing on the World Surf League tour.
“If we are together (on Father’s Day), a surf (session) is always nice, and a meal,” she said. “If we aren’t, I’ll send him an email or give him a call to express how much I appreciate everything he has done for me and how grateful I am that he shared with me his love for the ocean.”
Chris, a graphic designer by trade and a surfer and competitive open water swimmer by passion, built the connection early on.
“From taking me to the beach after school when I was little to helping me travel around the world today, his unconditional love, support and belief has been instrumental in my journey,” Carissa said.
It is one that has taken Carissa, currently ranked third in the world on the WSL Women’s Championship Tour, to three world titles and an extensive sponsorship portfolio.
From giving coaching tips and motivation, to planning itineraries, dealing with sponsors and coming up with designs for her boards, “My dad has been a huge influence on my surfing career,” Carissa said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. He pushed me into my first wave, has encouraged me every step of the way and has believed in me even more than I have believed in myself at times.”
Yet it isn’t just the coaching and steadfast support that have led to championships that she has come to appreciate. It is also the lessons and philosophy shared. “Take the time for others,” she said he has taught her. “What you do and what you achieve will fade with time, but how you make others feel will last forever. Giving and loving is our true purpose in life.”
It has led to the establishment of her Moore Aloha Foundation, where Chris assists her with what the website articulates as a “mission to empower young females through the sport of surfing to be strong, confident and compassionate individuals.”
Competitively, Carissa said Chris has prompted her to “Think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to do things differently. The magic happens when you step outside your comfort zone.”
Carissa said, “I don’t have a memory of my first time on a board or being in the water, but I just remembered loving being at the beach and spending time with my dad. It was all Dad. It wasn’t until I was 12 or so until I started asking Dad to take me to the beach. I am so thankful that I didn’t really have a choice and it’s just what we did.”
When Carissa decided she wanted to make a career of competitive surfing and aim for the top, she instantly knew where to turn. “His love for the ocean is the greatest gift he could have given me.”
She said, “From the very beginning, surfing was just so much fun. When you strip away everything, it is still pure fun. I just love riding waves. Being in the ocean makes me happy and I love being able to share that pure joy with the people I love most.”
Wherever they are on Father’s Day.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
