After more than 13 years shaping the landscape of professional surfing, Jessi Miley-Dyer is stepping aside from her role as Commissioner of the World Surf League (WSL). A pivotal figure in the sport’s modern evolution, Miley-Dyer leaves behind a legacy of progress, particularly in gender equity and competition structure.
A former Championship Tour (CT) surfer, Jessi Miley-Dyer made the leap from athlete to administrator in late 2011, joining what was then the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP). Her transition marked the beginning of an influential chapter in surfing governance, one that has seen historic milestones under her leadership.
Among her most notable contributions was the groundbreaking move to equal prize money for male and female competitors in 2018. The announcement was hailed as a landmark decision in professional sports, positioning surfing at the forefront of the global equality movement.
Her vision continued to take shape with the full integration of the men’s and women’s Tours in 2022, and most recently, she led the push to expand the women’s Championship Tour field—a change set to take effect in 2026. These achievements collectively form a legacy of increased opportunity and inclusion for generations of surfers to come.
“With the 2025 regular season complete, and our postseason qualification and expanded women’s field now set, I feel this is the right moment for me to step aside,” Miley-Dyer said. “It’s been the honor of my life to help guide this sport that has given me so much. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, from raising the level of competition to breaking new ground in gender equality. I’ll always be the WSL’s biggest fan, and I’m excited to see what comes next for both the WSL and our athletes.”
WSL CEO Ryan Crosby expressed gratitude for her service, calling her “incredibly influential” and praising her “vision and commitment to fairness and excellence.” He noted that she leaves the organisation “in a stronger, more inclusive place.”
Jessi Miley-Dyer’s final appearance as Commissioner will be at the upcoming Lexus Trestles Pro, which opens on June 9 at Lower Trestles, California. The WSL’s Tours and Competition team will continue to oversee the league’s competitive operations, ensuring the continuation of elite-level events and the sport’s progressive momentum.
