The Greatest Final in Women’s Surfing History

Newly crowned three times World Champ Carissa Moore just dusted Sally Fitzgibbons in the final of the Target Maui Pro. Not to take anything away from Riss, but the ultimate winner has to be the absolute dreamboat of a wave that is Honolua Bay. Carissa’s 10 was as makable a tube as you’ll find in The Islands. After the final Carissa told Strider that, “The wave did all the work, all I had to do was stand there.” (The aprés-exit grab-rail slice however, was all Riss). Meanwhile, the men were bobbing three clicks out to sea dealing with open ocean chop and mountains of rumbling whitewater at wonky Sunset. I think we all know where we’d rather have been. How’s that for a scorecard! Far from being a one-sided encounter, Sal Fitz amassed a total that would’ve won her most of the year’s heats. Her 9.23 featured the longest tube of the final and then a clean carve to finish, although it was on a much smaller wave than Carissa’s 10. In reality though, no one on the women’s tour can contend with Carissa’s power and flow on a four foot right. To say that it looked fun would be a criminal understatement. A pointbreak with Hawaiian power, jeez. Bravo Carissa, bravo H-Bay, a glorious all-round victory.