sports
‘We’ll start a creche’: how the World Surf League is becoming family friendly for parents on tour
The tour brings in maternity wildcard and parental leave, with surfers saying it is a ‘huge step in the right direction’ and ‘so sick’ for the sport
TL;DR
- The WSL is introducing a maternity wildcard, allowing surfers up to two years to return after a break for family.
- Paternity leave is now available for male surfers, offering a break of two events or one month with minimum ranking points.
- These changes are a response to the increasing number of surfers traveling with children, like Connor O'Leary and Jack Robinson.
- Carissa Moore, who took a break to start a family, calls the maternity wildcard a 'huge step in the right direction' for women in sport.
- The WSL has previously introduced equal pay (2018) and a fully integrated schedule (2022), benefiting women's surfing.
- Having children on tour provides surfers with added motivation and a different perspective on life and competition.