World Surf League Caters to Growing Number of Surfing Parents with New Family-Friendly Policies
The World Surf League (WSL) is enhancing its support for professional surfers who are parents by introducing maternity wildcards and paternity leave, fostering a more family-friendly competitive environment.
The World Surf League (WSL) is making significant strides in supporting its athletes' family lives with the introduction of new, progressive policies. This shift acknowledges the increasing number of professional surfers who are also parents, aiming to create a more inclusive and sustainable environment for competitors on the global tour.
Key Takeaways
- The WSL has implemented a maternity wildcard and paternity leave to better support athletes with families.
- These policies aim to balance the demands of professional surfing with the responsibilities of parenthood.
- The changes are seen as a crucial step forward for gender equality and athlete well-being in professional sports.
Embracing Parenthood on Tour
Professional surfing has long seen athletes balancing demanding careers with family life, but recent years have marked a notable increase in parents competing on the WSL circuit. Surfers like Jack Robinson and Jordy Smith are now traveling with their young children, integrating family into their competitive routines. This trend has prompted the WSL to formalize support systems.
Connor O’Leary, a surfer who recently welcomed his first child, Romii-Sakura, shared how his daughter's presence has brought a new perspective and motivation to his career. "Seeing her crawling around the competition site yesterday... it makes you appreciate the life that we live," O'Leary commented.
Structural Support for Parents
A significant development is the introduction of a dedicated maternity wildcard. This policy allows female surfers to take time off for pregnancy and childbirth, with the option to return to the tour within two years without jeopardizing their standing. Five-time world champion Carissa Moore, who took a break to start her family, has benefited from this, returning to competition with a season-long wildcard.
"I think it is a huge step in the right direction," Moore stated. "Not only for women in surfing, but for women in sport and women in general. Looking at us as whole athletes, as people who are multidimensional, who want to start families, we never had that – that job security before."
Paternity Leave and Broader Impact
Complementing the maternity wildcard, the WSL has also introduced paternity leave for male surfers. This allows fathers to request a break of up to two events or one calendar month, while still receiving minimum ranking points. This initiative normalizes the role of fathers in actively participating in their children's early lives without career penalties.
These family-friendly measures follow previous WSL advancements, including equal pay in 2018 and a fully integrated schedule in 2022, which have significantly boosted women's surfing. The WSL's commitment to supporting athletes' multidimensional lives is seen as a potential blueprint for other sports organizations seeking to foster a more inclusive and sustainable professional environment.