While women have shown their skills and capabilities on some of the most challenging waves, the opportunities for women to do so are still limited in professional surfing.  

What You Need To Know

  • The World Surf League is increasing the number of women on the 2026 Championship Tour from 17 to 24

  • The number of men included in the Championship Tour is 34

  • While there is still more progress to be made, the WSL’s decision to increase the field size will provide more opportunities for women to compete at the highest level

  • The 2026 women’s field will include the Top 14 surfers from the CT, the Top 7 qualifiers from the Challenger Series, two WSL Season Wildcards, and one Event Wildcard

The World Surf League is taking a step toward equality by increasing the number of women on the 2026 Championship Tour from 17 to 24.

Still, there are significantly fewer slots than the men’s lineup of 34.

Spectrum News Hawaii previously talked with Patti Paniccia, who started the women’s division for the first world surf tour in 1976, and she noted that despite all the progress made in women’s surfing over the past 50 years, the WSL had still not created equal opportunity for men and women on the Championship Tour.

“Until we start giving women the same opportunity and experience (as men), they'll never get ahead,” she said.

While there is still more progress to be made, the WSL’s decision to increase the field size will provide more opportunities for women to compete at the highest level.

Under the WSL’s new format, the 2026 women’s field will include the top 14 surfers from the CT, the top seven qualifiers from the Challenger Series, two WSL Season Wildcards and one Event Wildcard.

“I’m really excited to hear that more women will be able to be on the CT,” said Caroline Marks, 2023 World Champion and 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist, in a news release. “My first event win was also the first competition to have equal prize money, which was a huge step forward. It’s cool too to think that, just as I was able to pursue my career without having to worry about equal prize money, future groms will have a much better chance of being able to join the Tour and live their dream knowing that there’s a place for them.” 

The WSL started awarding equal prize money at events in 2019 and combined the men’s and women’s schedule for the Challenger Series and Championship Tour in 2022.

“I couldn’t be more proud of where the level of women’s surfing is currently at,” said Sally Fitzgibbons, a 15-year CT veteran. “Growing the Tour is the next logical step in that natural progression. All over the world, women are stepping it up every time they hit the water, and on Tour, we’re seeing intense heats and fierce rivalries. It’s what everyone wants to see. I’m so stoked that it’s happening.”

The 2025 CT begins at Banzai Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore on Jan. 27.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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