Surfer Carissa Moore Gives her Retirement Speech!

Carissa Moore told the NY Times back in January that she would be retiring after the Olympics.

The 5 x World Surf Champion and the first Olympic Gold Medalist in History did not make it through the Quarter Finals

She lost to Johanne Defay of France, in what we can only assume was a rigged heat!

Caroline Marks of the USA, Tatiana Weston-Webb of "Brazil", Brisa Hennessy of "Costa Rica" and Defay of France all moved onto the Semi-Finals. The reason I put the country they represent in quotes is because they are competing for these nations based as a function of circumstance or loopholes because the majority of the surfers live in Hawaii or California, are Americans or have lived in the USA since they were little kids. Thanks to a passport they get to represent their other nationalities, but ultimately, they are surfing for the USA.

Carissa Moore is 31 years old and this was her retirement speech!

This was her elimination / retirement statement:

I took a chance, I left the tour. I came here and spent months out of the year just trying to do my very best. And when you come up short of a dream, it sucks. But at the same time, how fun was it? I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I would’ve been so bummed if I looked back and had done this halfheartedly. I went all in. And I just hope that at the end of the day, I can encourage whoever’s watching — win or lose.

Don’t be afraid to go into it fearlessly and don’t be afraid to fail. The process has been so much fun. I feel like there’s been a lot of personal growth in and out of the water, and I’m really proud of my backside barrel riding. I caught some waves I never thought I would’ve ever caught in my whole life in this process. Obviously I’m really sad to not be a part of Finals Day and get to represent my home and my family one more time, but I’m really grateful. I couldn’t have imagined a better place to finish off my career.

I’m going to give myself some time. I announced my departure from the tour earlier on this year and it’s still been full on. It’s been full on for my whole life and I am really proud of that. I’m proud of how I’ve given everything. I think the last thing I just want to say is I want to express my gratitude to everybody who’s been there for me and supported me, not only in this event but my whole life. It’s just nice to have a community. Thank you