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Carissa Moore, Italo Ferreira Earn Historic First Olympic Gold Medals in Surfing

After three days of fierce competition in everything from waist-high wedges to overhead typhoon surf, reigning World Surf League (WSL) Champions Carissa Mooreand Italo Ferreira have won the first-ever Olympic gold medals for surfing.

Four-time WSL Champion Moore was able to hold on against South Africa’s Bianca Buitendag, while 2019 WSL Champion Ferreira’s Finals Day run was not to be halted, even by Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi. Both Buitendagand Igarashi earned the silver medals for their respective efforts.

Rounding out the podium and earning the bronze was Japan’s Amuro Tsuzuki and Australia’s Owen Wright, who were both formidable competitors throughout the entire surfing competition.

Credit: ISA / Sean Evans, Pablo Jimenez, Ben Reed

Surfing’s first women’s Olympic medalists (left to right): Bianca Buitendag, Carissa Moore and Amuro Tsuzuki – PABLO JIMENEZ / ISA

Women:
Gold: Carissa Moore (USA)
Silver: Bianca Buitendag (RSA)
Bronze: Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN)

“Getting to share the sport with so many people that maybe have never even watched surfing was super special,” said Moore. “As a Hawaiian, just seeing Duke Kahanamoku’s dream come true to have surfing in the Olympics is super special. It’s a big time for surfing to be recognized on this level.”

Surfing’s first men’s Olympic medalists (left to right): Kanoa Igarashi, Italo Ferreira and Owen Wright. – PABLO JIMENEZ / ISA

Men:
Gold: Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Silver: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
Bronze: Owen Wright (AUS)

“All surfers made history here,” said Ferreira. “Every surfer has a piece of this Gold Medal. I started surfing on a cooler top when I was a kid before I got my first real board and won my first event. Because of [my upbringing] I have a lot of passion for the sport.”

Now after their success in Tokyo, Moore, Ferreira, Igarashi, and Wright will continue to compete on the Championship Tour for the World Title, next in Mexico for the Corona Open Mexico pres. by Quiksilver from August 10 – 19, 2021, followed by Tahiti for the Outerknown Tahiti Pro pres. by Shiseido from August 24 – September 3, for a chance to qualify for the Rip Curl WSL Finals in September.

Carve Summer Road Trip Guide

If your local spot isn’t producing the goods, hop in the car and search further afield. Day trip, weekend away or off for a week, here’s some kit to bring with you for the search.

LifeJacket Sun Stick
LifeJacket Skin Protection's SPF 50+ Mineral Sun Stick is a game-changer for surfing: wave-proof, heavy duty, non-greasy and reef-safe. Just swipe and go.
£15, lifejacketskinprotection.com

Yeti Hopper Flip 8 Soft Cooler
Tough as nails and it keeps things ice-cold, the Hopper features a wide opening for easy access and is compact for portability.
£199.99, downthelinesurf.co.uk

Northcore Car and Van Seat Cover
Designed for watersports and built to last. Resistant to water, mud, food, and anything else your adventures can throw at them.
£29.99, northcore-europe.com

Qwetch Stainless Steel Bottle
A stainless steel bottle designed to keep your drinks warm for up to 12 hours and cold up to 24 hours.
£20, shop.carvemag.com

Dakine Tie Down 12ft Straps
A set of two 12-foot straps that make roof rack transportation a cinch. Feature the secure tightening of heavy-duty 1-inch cam buckles.
£19, shop.carvemag.com

Slowtide Microfibre Travel Towel
The 'Cassidy' is a lightweight, fast-drying towel that packs away neatly and helps maximise luggage space.
£30, shop.carvemag.com

Eco Bamboo Travel Cup
Environmentally responsible reusable cup made with natural bamboo fibre. BPA and phthalate free, plus it’s super light, sturdy and fully dishwasher safe.
£12.95, shop.carvemag.com

Northcore Waterproof Wetsuit Bag
Tough, waterproof bag for storing and carrying your wetsuit or wet gear.
£9.99, shop.carvemag.com

Rip Curl Boardshorts
The Mirage Owen Saltwater Culture boardshorts are made from Mirage Pro Eco fabric which provides all the stretch required but leaves the smallest eco-footprint.
£64.99, ripcurl.eu

Dry-Series Recycled Short Sleeve Changing Robe
Whether you’re changing on the beach, hanging around at an outdoor event or walking the dog, pack this mobile shelter against the wind, rain and cold.
£129.99 Adult / £119.99 Junior, robierobes.com

REEF Fanning Slide
REEF’s bestselling men's shoe. Easy on, easy off, water-friendly, mega comfy and complete with the crucial built-in bottle opener.
£55, reef.eu

Base Tide Pro, Nixon
Made with recycled ocean plastics, the Base Tide Pro has pre-programmed tide info from 550 global beaches, is water-resistant and stays secure on your wrist.
£140, nixon.com/uk

dryrobe® Advance Long Sleeve
Dawn sessions to long summer nights, the dryrobe® Advance lets you get changed anywhere, whilst its weatherproof outer and super-warm inner protects you from the elements.
£150, dryrobe.com

Vissla, Ice Seas Cooler 24L Dry Backpack
24L dry backpack with an insulation purge valve to keep your liquids cool. Roll shut top and waterproof fabric and seems plus a bottle opener attachment.
£89, vissla.com

Vans x Wade Goodall Destruct SF Shoes
For those who don’t want to sacrifice style for performance and comfort, the Vans x Wade Goodall Destruct SF is functional, wearable, and with a bit of flare.
£70, vans.co.uk

The FoamLife TRAA
Made from recycled EVA, the FoamLife TRAA are the only choice for true après surf stoke. If they made your feet feel any better, they’d be illegal.
£24.99, thefoamlife.com

G-Shock G-lide GBX-100NS Watch
Featuring 200m water resistance and easy access surfer-essential tide time and level information with approximately 3,000 locations worldwide.
£159, g-shock.co.uk

Invent Sports Poncho and Changing Robe
Soft, large and comfortable with a warm twin-layer hood and large side pockets. No plastics or microfibres are used in the making of this towelling changing robe.
£75, inventsports.com