Johanne Defay Gets WSL’s First Maternity Wildcard, Tatiana Weston-Webb Receives Season Wildcard

March 16, 2026

The World Surf League announced Sunday that it will establish a maternity wildcard for female athletes taking a break from Championship Tour competition due to pregnancy. France’s Johanne Defay will be the first recipient of the new wildcard when it takes effect starting in the 2027 season. 

Defay announced in February of 2025 she was expecting her first child and would step away from the CT.  She noted in her announcement the benefit male athletes have in pursuing their careers while also becoming dads without the same obvious interruption(s) women navigate. “I’d like to pursue mine while being a mom,” she pointed out at the time.

“I’m super happy to get the first-ever Maternity Wildcard,” Defay said following the WSL’s announcement. “It’s such an honor. I really wanted to keep my spot on tour because I love my lifestyle being a professional athlete and surfer. This is a new challenge for me that I really want to try. I’ve been competing for 20 years, and it’s part of who I am. To be able to share that with my daughter is such an amazing gift. I’m so excited to come back in 2027, and I’m excited to watch 2026 unfold.” THE Inertia