"I just need to play my own game"

From November 12 to 23 Carissa Moore took on the world’s best surfers in her backyard of Hawaii and won the Reef Hawaiian Pro, held at the famous surf spot of Haleiwa. In an interview the 16-year-old school girl talks about that amazing win and what it feels like to be the next big thing in surfing.

Carissa, congratulations on your victory at the Reef Hawaiian Pro! What was it like to see the world from the top step of the podium?

I have to say standing up on the podium was one of the best feelings I've had in my whole life. It all happened so fast and I wasn't really expecting it, so I was just really living the moment. To win at Haleiwa, one of my favorite waves, was just a dream. It was an honor to be up there with Layne, Coco and Laura. Really cool!

What's it like for you to beat Layne Beachley, the seven-time World Champion, at such a young age?

I just see it as an honor to have the opportunity to surf against Layne. She's a World Champion and I respect her. It’s been an amazing few days, to say the least.

Many experts see you as a future World Champion and are only asking when it will happen and how often you’ll win the title. How do you cope with these huge expectations and the pressure that comes with them?

I think the main thing is just to do my own thing and concentrate on my surfing and not listen to other people too much. I just need to go out there and play my own game and not worry about what other people think. And most of all just have fun. I think that’s the best way to deal with it.

What would you say is your greatest strength in surfing – and what do you still need to work on to improve?

Well, I try and improve every day in all parts of my surfing. I’d like to have more power and do bigger airs. Every time I go for a surf I aim to improve.

Do you have a role model? If yes, which surfer do you admire the most and why?

My favorite surfer would be Kelly Slater, just because he’s so fluid, powerful and radical, and he’s so fun to watch. I also like Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith, Julian Wilson and Bobby Martinez’ backhand. I look up to all the top guys and also to the girls my age. My friends like Coco Ho, Malia Manuel and Bethany Hamilton just surf so well and it’s just really cool to see how well the kids are surfing.

Please tell us a little about the girl Carissa Moore. How would your best friend describe you in three sentences?

Um, if my best friend were here, honestly, I guess they would probably describe me as a happy person, because I try to be happy and I love being happy [laughs]. And kinda funny maybe, sometimes [laughs].

You’re still going to school. How do you manage to balance education and surfing?

Yes, I’m a junior at Punahou High School on the south shore of Oahu. I'm taking American studies, Environmental Science, Japanese and Yoga. Sometimes balancing school and surfing can be pretty tough, but I just try and do my best and my teachers are pretty cool. Luckily with the contest being here in Hawaii I haven't missed too much school. And anyway, traveling back and forth between school and the surf means spending a couple of extra hours with my dad, and that’s great because he's so cool.

Christmas is coming up. How will you be spending it?

To be honest, I haven’t even thought about it yet. I'll definitely spend it with my family here at home in Hawaii.

How do your New Year’s resolutions for 2009 look? And what will be your absolute highlight next year, both professionally and personally?