What Does the WSL’s Maternity Wildcard Mean For Pro Surfing?

Last week the WSL made a groundbreaking announcement - 2027 will see the creation of a maternity wildcard for the women’s tour, and it has already been awarded to Frenchwoman Johanne Defay, who gave birth to her daughter in August last year. The announcement also included that Brazilian surfer Tatiana Weston-Webb has been awarded the 2027 season wildcard after Weston-Webb became a parent in early 2026.

Both Defay and Weston-Webb had expressed their desire to return to the CT directly after they announced their pregnancies.