Tatiana Weston-Webb, the 2024 Olympic surfing silver medalist and a top competitor on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), has announced her decision to step away from the remainder of the 2025 season. The Brazilian surfer cited the need to prioritize her mental health as the driving force behind her withdrawal.
Weston-Webb, who was ranked second in the WSL standings in 2021, shared a heartfelt statement expressing her gratitude for her career thus far and the support she’s received from sponsors, fans, and her team. However, she acknowledged the emotional and physical exhaustion she’s been facing, prompting her to take a break from competitive surfing.
“This has not been an easy time for me,” Weston-Webb said. “I am incredibly grateful for everything I have achieved in surfing so far, and for the support I have always received. Every achievement has been the result of intense and collective effort. Recently, I realized that I needed to pay closer attention to my emotional health. As an athlete, I’ve always been passionate about what I do, but I also know that taking care of my well-being is essential for continuing to compete at a high level.”
The announcement comes amid a season where several top surfers have also stepped back. Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore is taking the 2025 season off, and five-time world champion Carissa Moore recently welcomed her first child, leading to her own decision to pause from competition. On the men’s side, reigning world champion John John Florence has withdrawn to focus on family and personal travel.
In response to Weston-Webb’s withdrawal, the WSL confirmed that her slot on the CT will be filled by a wildcard position at each event.
The move has sparked a wider conversation about the pressures faced by professional surfers and the importance of mental health awareness in competitive sports. Weston-Webb emphasized the significance of addressing these challenges openly, stating that vulnerability doesn’t make an athlete weaker but rather more human and connected.
“This break is not an end, but a new beginning,” Weston-Webb concluded. “With everyone’s support, I will return to the water stronger, more self-aware, and more passionate than ever.”