Wonder Woman of the Week: Carissa Moore

Carissa Moore is more than just a three-time world champion surfer. Before turning professional, Moore earned eleven national titles in her sport and was already a household name among surfers when she entered the professional tour in 2010. Moore earned her first world title in her second professional season by finishing the 2011 season as the top female surfer in the world for her event. Between 2011 and 2015, Moore earned three world titles and played a tug-of-war duel for titles with Stephanie Gilmore (another Wonder Woman of ours) to establish a highly competitive sport that attracted more viewers for the women's game.

Under the surface however, Carissa Moore has constantly battled with both external and internal dangers to reach the success she achieved. Women's professional surfing continuously expands and increases in competitiveness- with the titans of the sport (Stephanie Gilmore and Carissa Moore) that dominated in Moore's early years now competing against a plethora of equally talented surfers. Additionally, Moore's career changed after her fifth season as a professional with changing motivation and increasing pressure from sponsors and fans to win.

Carissa Moore has turned those changing tides into new motivation and goals. Moore has become a fervent advocate for body positivity by working as an advocate for healthy lifestyles in diet and exercise. Moore also publicly speaks about sexism in the surf industry and established a surfing program for young girls called the "C-Stars" to help establish a safe space for girls in the sport. Moore also is an active environmentalist who advocates for ocean conservation and beach pollution clean-up programs.