National Geographic Adventure editors have chosen their ten Adventurers of the Year. Readers are now encouraged to vote for their favorites for the People's Choice Adventurer of the Year. One of the adventurers is 19-year-old Carissa Moore (pictured above). She is the youngest ASP (the Association of Surfing Professionals) women's world champion!

Carissa says that you can learn lessons about life from surfing. "Surfing has taught me how to adapt. Things are ever changing in the ocean, which is much like life. You have to be able to change your plans on a moment's notice. Nothing is ever going to go your way, so you have to be able to take the losses with the wins and pick yourself up quickly."

What was your best adventure in 2011? Leave a comment below and tell us!

Read about all of the nominees, then vote for your favorite on National Geographic Adventure.

Follow Aubrey's around-the-world adventures in the Passport to Roam blog.

Want to read more about kids having adventures? Check out the Hands-On Explorer blog.


Photograph by Simon Williams, Red Bull Photo Pool