World Surf League Embraces Family-Friendly Policies for Parents on Tour

Original: ‘We’ll start a creche’: how the World Surf League is becoming family friendly for parents on tour | Kieran Pender

The Guardian•Apr 7, 20265 min

In a Nutshell

The World Surf League (WSL) is becoming more family-friendly, allowing surfers like Connor O’Leary to travel with their children. New initiatives include a maternity wildcard for returning mothers and paternity leave for fathers, reflecting a significant cultural shift in the sport. This aims to support athletes balancing family life with professional commitments.

Key Points

01Connor O'Leary is competing in his first WSL season with his daughter, Romii-Sakura.
02The WSL has introduced a maternity wildcard allowing mothers to return up to two years after a break.
03Paternity leave is now available for male surfers, allowing them to take a break without losing ranking points.
04Carissa Moore, a five-time world champion, supports the new policies as a significant step for women in sports.
05The WSL's family-friendly initiatives follow previous advancements like equal pay and an integrated schedule.

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Full Summary

The World Surf League (WSL) is implementing family-friendly policies that reflect a growing trend among professional athletes to balance family life with their careers. Connor O’Leary, an Australian Japanese surfer, is experiencing this shift firsthand as he competes in the 2026 season with his daughter, Romii-Sakura. The WSL has introduced a maternity wildcard, allowing female surfers to return to competition up to two years after childbirth, a move praised by five-time world champion Carissa Moore. In addition, paternity leave is now available for male surfers, enabling them to take breaks without losing ranking points. These changes mark a significant cultural shift in a sport traditionally dominated by male athletes. The WSL's commitment to supporting parents on tour, including plans for a creche, showcases its dedication to inclusivity and the evolving role of athletes as parents. As the sport continues to grow, these initiatives are expected to encourage more families to engage in professional surfing.

Key Figures

2 years

Time allowed for mothers to return after childbirth with the maternity wildcard

5-time

Number of world titles won by Carissa Moore

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Why It Matters

These new policies will make it easier for professional surfers to balance family life with their careers, potentially encouraging more athletes to start families while competing.

Who is affected

Professional surfers and their families

What to know

Surfers considering starting a family can now feel more secure in their ability to return to competition.

FAQ

The maternity wildcard allows female surfers to return to the tour up to two years after taking a break for childbirth.

Male surfers can request a break of two events or one calendar month and will receive minimum ranking points during that time.

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