Hawaiian Carissa Moore Dons American Flag Like SuperHero Cape After Winning First Ever Olympic Gold In Surfing

Carissa Moore is a 28-year-old woman from Hawaii who brought home the first ever Olympic gold medal in surfing.

This is the first time surfing was included in the summer Olympics. More than a century ago, Olympic swimming gold medalist and Native Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku asked the International Olympic Committee to consider including surfing in the Games. 

Now, his dream has become a reality.

Olympic Surfer Carissa Moore Proudly Displays American Flag

In a time when so many athletes are garnering attention for disrespecting the American flag and the national anthem, it was refreshing to see Moore beam with pride as she draped herself in the American flag immediately after winning her medal.

Carissa Moore’s Surfing Background

Moore was born and raised in Hawaii and she even attended The Punahou School, which is the alma mater of former President Barack Obama.

Though she has always loved surfing, she never could have dreamed of competing in the Olympics for it when she broke onto the international stage as a teenager.

“It wasn’t even on my radar,” she told People Magazine, describing it as “an incredible journey to have surfing represented at the Olympic level.”

“I hope people can just sense the joy,” Moore added. “I hope it inspires them to maybe get out on a board themselves, or just chase after a passion that they are into themselves.”

While she is now an Olympic gold-medalist, Moore feels odd describing herself as a “role model.”

“I don’t know if I’ve ever said that out loud about myself, but I definitely know that I have a platform,” Moore said. “I’m very grateful for that platform, and I hope that I can make a positive impact.”

Related: Gwen Berry Says She’s ‘Earned The Right To Wear This Uniform’ After Turning Her Back On National Anthem

Charity Work

Moore has been focused on giving back to others since long before her Olympic dream came true. She’s been working with her foundation Moore Aloha for the past three years. 

“The goal is just to create an environment and create events where girls can come together, feel comfortable sharing, inspiring [and] being vulnerable together,” she said. “You can find so much strength in being vulnerable together and lifting each other up and being able to relate.”

Moore went on to add that her foundation is focused on “encouraging [girls] to step outside their comfort zone, chase their dreams, using surfing as a platform to do that and encouraging them to be compassionate individuals and live with that Aloha spirit.”

Related: Megan Rapinoe And Team Suffer Humiliating Loss To Canada, Gold Medal Out Of Reach

US Olympian Carissa Moore Is Excited To Go Home To Her Family

Moore is currently still in Japan, but she is looking forward to being reunited with her family back home in Hawaii.

“The very first thing I’m going to do when I get home is just give my husband a big bear hug,” she said. “That’s all I want to do. And take a shower.”

Moore sees lots of parallels between surfing and life in general.

“I think that’s what’s so special about surfing is that you are working with Mother Nature,” she said. “And if you don’t let go and surrender to the ocean, it’s really hard to find that rhythm. And I think that’s with life, too.”

We applaud Moore for being the first person to bring home a gold in surfing!