Life with Zen: Aussie surfer Jack Robinson prepared for a new-look WSL season and maiden Olympics campaign

An exceptional 2023 catapulted Aussie surfer Jack Robinson up the WSL rankings and into a debut Olympics. But it’s out of the water where his whole world has changed for the better.

Jack Robinson has a new source of motivation leading into his first Olympics campaign. Picture: Domenic Mosqueira / Red Bull Content Pool

Aussie surfer Jack Robinson has become well adjusted to the challenges of life in the World Surf League (WSL).

The demanding nature of the calendar means dealing with extensive entourages, and excessive amounts of luggage, can be just as chaotic as finding that perfect wave.

But the laid-back 26-year-old is better placed than most with his relaxed personality to rise above the pack. However this season, he will be travelling the world with even more Zen.

For the first time, Robinson will be competing as a father, with his son Zen and wife Julia both joining him for the first event of the WSL season in Hawaii.

“It’s the first time, they don’t give you a manual on how to travel with a five-week-old,” Robinson said.

“He’s been pretty cruisy. He’s living up to his name so far.”

Fatherhood has provided Robsinon with plenty of new perspectives. He finds himself amazed at the smallest things and the milestones he’ll get to be a part of.

“There’s just always something new,” Robinson laughed.

“I get to take him on a plane for the first time, that moment is never going to happen again.”

But it’s the new appreciation for being in the water that is likely to have the most profound impact on his career.

Every second searching for the best break is a moment to himself. Yet for every second in the water, there’s a chance he is missing one of those many firsts in Zen’s life.

“I feel like [fatherhood] does change perspective for the better,” Robinson said.

“It’s knowing what’s important. You’ve got all these other things that you think are important and then you bring it back to your family and you’re like, ‘These are the most important things’.

“You know what, [fatherhood] has changed me. Because when I go in the water now, I don’t just sit around thinking I’m going for another surf.

“I get an hour or two now and I’m so happy to be in the water. I’m happier than I was before to be in the water. It’s not just [surfing] anymore.”

Robinson has a new lease of life in his first year competing as a father. Picture: Domenic Mosqueira / Red Bull Content Pool

2024 was always set to be a big year for Robinson after a superb campaign last season.

He came away with two victories, the Billabong Pro Pipeline followed by the Tahiti Pro in his penultimate championship event for the year. Robinson also finished on the podium at Sunset Beach and in Portugal.

The results were enough for him to earn provisional qualification to represent Australia at this year’s Olympic Games.

But despite the added responsibilities at home, Robinson believes he is prepared to take his form to the next level.

“Everything is like it was last year but I’m less burned out, I think I’ve had proper off-time to enjoy life a bit,” Robinson said.

“It’s been full-on fitting everything in because I don’t get as much time in the day. I’m more organised now, to be honest. I’m not sitting around as much because if I am sitting around, [Zen] is on my shoulders.

“This year is exciting. And I feel like I didn’t have to wait as long for an Olympics because it was the Covid year. I just want to experience it, I can’t wait.”

After a superb 2023, Robinson is hoping to carry his form into an Olympic year. Picture: Jerome Brouillet / AFP

Surfing received a mixed reception on its Olympics debut in Tokyo. While athletes loved the chance to compete for their country, the waves at Tsurigasaki Beach left a lot to be desired.

That’s unlikely to be a problem in 2024 with Teahupo’o in Tahiti to host the competition, the same location where Robinson won his second title last year.

And although he’ll be on the other side of the globe to the world’s best athletes in Paris, he is confident that the Aussie contingent can go even further up the podium than Owen Wright’s bronze medal in Tokyo.

“That’s the unique thing of our sport, I feel like we need to get the best waves,” Robinson said. “I mean, we’ll go to the closing ceremony probably and feel the vibe.

“But I’m stoked it’s there. As long as we get good waves and we get to show our sport and some wild waves, that’ll be incredible for the audience.

“[Gold medal] is the goal. I feel like there are so many good sportsmen and women from Australia, we need to be at the top, like that’s where we belong and thrive.

“So hopefully, we can bring that gold medal back.”