Carla James, a world champion surfer, is gearing up for the 2024 Olympics, fully aware that this will be her final competition for a while. She plans to focus on starting a family with her husband once the games wrap up. “I’m not just a competitive athlete,” she shares. “I’m also a sister, a friend, and hopefully, one day, a mom. Building my own family is incredibly important to me.”
Though she is excited about this new chapter, she admits to feeling some trepidation. “I’ve had to really reflect on my identity and leap into the unknown,” she explains. “All my male friends on the tour have started their families already. It’s a significant choice for me.”
Carla began surfing with her dad in Hawaii at just 5 years old and started winning competitions by the age of 11. By 18, she made history as the youngest person to capture a surfing world title. Now, at 31, she hopes that stepping back from competition will reignite her passion for surfing, which she views as a lifestyle beyond just a sport. “I want to surf until I’m old and gray, and one day, with my kids too,” she adds.
She acknowledges that this Olympic experience will feel different from her last. After a year-long wait due to the pandemic, she clinched the first-ever Olympic gold medal in surfing at the Tokyo Games. This year, while the rest of Team USA heads to France, Carla will compete in French Polynesia at the renowned Teahupo’o surf venue.
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In summary, Carla James is ready to take a break from her surfing career after the Paris Olympics to embrace motherhood, reflecting on her identity and the importance of family.