Hendy family hits the waves with Carissa Moore ahead of Roxy Pro at Snapper Rocks

HITTING the waves with the world’s top woman surfer would be a big deal to most but it’s just like any other day for the Hendy family.

Hurley Surfers

HITTING the waves with the world’s top woman surfer would be a big deal to most but it’s just like any other day for the Hendy family.

Former ironman Trevor and his daughter Jaali took to the surf with Carissa Moore yesterday, something they do every time the US athlete is in town.

Carissa’s dad Chris trained with Hendy as a champion US ironman and the two families have grown up together.

The world's best surfers are on the Gold Coast for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro. Former ironman world champ Trevor Hendy takes daughter Jaali, 12, for a surf with defending champ and current world number 1 Carissa Moore. Pic by Luke Marsden.

Hendy said what was special yesterday was having Chris push Jaali on to waves, as he did with Carissa when she was younger.

Jaali said if they had not known Carissa “for ever”, the novelty of going surfing with the world champion would be greater.

Wellness coach and former ironman Trevor Hendy. Picture: Megan Slade.

“She’s a lot more like Carissa to me, than Carissa Moore,” she said.

“It was cool seeing her in her prime though — she looks really cool out there.”

Hendy said Carissa was very grounded and connected to the community.

“Every year she comes out we always connect and hang out — we’re like her Australian family,” Hendy said.

“She said, ‘Let’s come down for a surf and catch up’ and Jaali’s like her little sister basically.

“One big thing everyone loves about Carissa is how she hasn’t changed.

“It’s good for her to be able to hang out with friends and family because the whole tour is a whirlwind and can become a real circus.”