Nike 6.0: Leave A Message

Hawaiian Carissa Moore is pretty much the next women’s surfing world champion. Four events down and Carissa’s two for two with Sally Fitzgibbon. But more recently, Carissa starred in the final section (traditionally, the most respected in section-based board sport films), in Nike 6.0’s new women’s surfing film, Leave A Message. You don’t know women’s surfing until you’ve seen this film. Finners, airs, reverses, tow-ins, it’s all there. Plus some sexiness for free.

Carissa was enjoying some down time at home in Hawaii when Stab called, relaxing into a one-month break until the next event.

Stab: You all seem to be such self-empowered women and it looks like you’re just owning the sport. Do you feel like you’re part of a change in women’s surfing?
Carissa Moore: I’m very honoured to be in the place that I am and be a part of women’s surfing at this time, because I think it’s really exciting to see how it’s going and where it’s going to go in the future. I think this movie is definitely a monumental step in the right direction for us. The way that it was made, with not much lifestyle. There’s a little bit, but mostly it’s just straight surfing. And that’s what has been the biggest difference between men’s surf films and women’s surf films in the past – women’s films have been more about the lifestyle and longboarding and… a lot more artsy. But this one was innovative and it was about the surfing, which is really neat. All the girls have a lot of talent now and we’re all pushing each other. I’m really excited!

Do you agree that you’re helping feminise the sport more, too? I definitely think so. We all love being women and we embrace that. But we also love getting in the water and charging big waves, or trying to surf like the guys. I think what’s so cool about the group of girls in the film and, I think you get this from watching the film, is that each girl is super unique and has an awesome personality. And that’s what makes it so intriguing I think, to watch. It’s almost different from the guys in that way. We really involve our personalities in what we do.

Has women’s surfing always been this cool, or has it taken a company like Nike 6.0 to blow it up? It’s a really exciting time for us, because it’s awesome to have such a big company like Nike 6.0 to come in and support us. They did such a great job promoting our video and, to show that they believe in what we’re doing, is just amazing. Hopefully, since Nike 6.0 has taken this step, other companies will follow.

Who’s section is your favourite? I really appreciate all of the girl’s sections for what each one brings to the table, as they’re all so different. I definitely got the chills in Coco’s part when she won the Portugal event and it shows how important her father and family is to her. I love how fluid Malia is, she has such great technique. Then you have Lakey Peterson – her part pretty much tells it all. She’s very raw, she’s hardcore. She’s that new up-and-coming girl who’s really pushing herself and wanting to get bigger and better and higher. She pushes not only herself but also everyone else and she’s only 16. She’s such an aggressive surfer.

At the start of your section, you surf Jaws. Was that your first time out there? Yeah, first ever time. I’m still naive and I don’t know any better, so it wasn’t really scary. ‘Cause I haven’t eaten it badly yet. After my experience out there, I came in and was like, “Dad, I wanna start doing this more! It’s so much fun!” He was like, “Riss, you haven’t eaten it yet. Please do a couple more years on tour first! Then start doing that stuff.” I was like, “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

What was the best trip you gals did? I think my favourite trip was the first Indo trip I ever did, which was with Monyca, Laura, Coco and myself. And Michel Bourez was the only guy. My dad’s really creative and witty, so he made these challenges that lasted over the two week-span of our trip. We got to wear tiaras, we had sumo challenges, we had to paddle canoe boats, have races, throw tomatoes at each other while balancing on a board, and at the end of it someone got a special prize. I just have so many fond memories of that trip.

Monyca seems a bit of a wrestling beast. She took all of us down and she’s like, the smallest one on the team. She’s absolutely a wrestling beast.

And Laura’s the party animal? Laura likes the nightlife and getting out and being social. We all do, but I think on different levels. I really liked the way that her part started. She loves dancing! It definitely displays her personality well.