Carissa Moore Makes Triumphant Return to WSL Winner's Circle in New Zealand

Five-time world champion Carissa Moore has secured her first World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour victory since returning from a two-year break to start a family. The Hawaiian surfer, 33, defeated 17-year-old Sawyer Lindblad in the final of the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro at Manu Bay, Raglan.

Key Takeaways

• Carissa Moore achieved her 29th career CT victory, marking a significant comeback after her break for motherhood.
• The win holds deep personal meaning for Moore, who dedicated it to her family and the late surf filmmaker Greg Browning.
• Moore's performance included a near-perfect semifinal heat score, showcasing her continued dominance in the sport.

A Powerful Comeback

After competing in her first three Championship Tour events since her return, Moore proved she still possesses championship-level talent. Her victory over Lindblad, with a score of 17.90 to 16.67, was an emotional moment, with Moore holding her daughter, Olena, after the win.

"This is for the moms, never stop dreaming if you want to," Moore stated in a WSL release. "When I walked away two years ago, I didn't know if I'd ever get this feeling back or this opportunity to surf perfect waves with only one other person out in front of a beautiful crowd and at a beautiful place with my family on the beach. In that process, you doubt yourself so much, and so I think the win means so much to me."

Full Circle Moment

This win in New Zealand holds a special significance for Moore, echoing her first CT victory as a 17-year-old rookie in 2010 at Taranaki, also in New Zealand. The presence of her father at both victories made it a profound "full-circle moment."

Moore also dedicated her win to the late surf filmmaker Greg Browning, who passed away from ALS in April 2025. She described him as "the most spectacular human" and an example of living with kindness and love.

Dominant Performance

Moore's path to the final was marked by exceptional surfing. She advanced from the semifinals by outdueling fellow Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson, posting a heat score of 19.00 out of a possible 20.00 – the highest heat score among the WSL women this season. Her performance included scores of 9.80, 9.20, and a 9.00 in reserve.

In the final, Lindblad put up a strong challenge, but Moore's early 8.50 and a subsequent 9.40 secured her victory. Moore acknowledged Lindblad as a rising force and expressed gratitude to the New Zealand fans for their support.

Historical Context

Moore's victory places her in esteemed company. She is now sixth in the season's CT rankings. Historically, Melanie Bartels was the last surfer to win a CT event after giving birth in 2008, while Lisa Anderson achieved 15 of her 21 CT victories as a mother. Notably, Brazil's Italo Ferreira also secured his first CT win since becoming a father at this event.

The next WSL Championship Tour event is the Surf City El Salvador Pro, scheduled from June 5 to 15.

Sources

• Hawaii's Moore surges to 1st win since return from pregnancy, Spectrum News.