Carissa Moore Is Back: World Champ Returns to Surfing After Welcoming Baby

It’s been over a year since Carissa Moore, one of surfing’s greatest competitors of all time, has donned a jersey, heard the hooter sound, and paddled out for a heat on the big stage. That was at the Paris 2024 Olympics, at Teahupo’o, Tahiti, where Moore competed while two months pregnant at the world’s heaviest slab, and still placed in the quarterfinals.

Then, the five-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist from surfing’s inaugural appearance in the Games at Tokyo 2020, took this past season off the WSL’s Championship Tour. She welcomed her first baby, ‘Olena, in February of 2025.

But now, Riss is back – she has officially announced her comeback to competitive surfing for the 2026 Championship Tour, with fans and her fellow competitors thrilled for the triumphant return of one of surfing’s greatest competitors and ambassadors of aloha.

"I’m really excited for the opportunity to compete again on the Championship Tour,” said Moore. “To put my jersey back on after having a baby feels like such a win. Competing at the highest level of surfing is something I don’t take for granted, and I’m so grateful to be feeling healthy and reinvigorated. I want my journey to show my daughter, and hopefully other women, that we can do anything; we can keep chasing our dreams, even as life evolves. I’m looking forward to sharing this next chapter with her and experiencing it together as a family.”  

Before the Championship Tour kicks off next year, Riss will get her toes wet in the jersey at the upcoming Florence Pipe Pro, a QS 2000 event going down at the famed Banzai Pipeline December 10th-20th. Read more about that here.

Since embarking on her new path of motherhood, Moore has expectedly had her hands full. But every now and then, via social media, there have been glimpses at her continued prowess in the water. By the looks of it, Riss is primed and ready to give the latest generation – Caity Simmers, Molly Picklum, et al – a run for their money in 2026.

Ever heard of mom strength? Yeah, Riss will be bringing that next year.

The first event of the 2026 Championship Tour season kicks off at Bell Beach from April 1-11th; stay tuned for Carissa Moore’s comeback.